The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-01-17
The Spider and
the Fly
BY WILLIS BEACH POTTER


fact that her son instead OF marrying
and settling down was spending his
time with undesirable associates and
incidentally his money also.
''If | could only get him tied up to
some nice girl long enough for her to
become a necessity to him 1t would
change him"
Il wish | could help you,' said her
friend.
"You can. I have an idea that
have come 10 propose TO you. | will
go away, and you and Ethel come TO
my house and take care of 1t during
my absence. The servants will be
there and will need looking after. Be-
sides, there's Zip our little dog. and
Spot the parrot i wouldn't trust
either one or the other to any except
one who understands dogs and birds.
j will go to Florida for a few months.
and by the time return shall ex-
pect Ralph and Ethel to have become
engaged. OF course all this is con.
tingent on your approval Of a match
between them"
Mrs. Sternes very much approved OF
the match Ralph Brindsley was
worth 100000 in his own right, and
there was nothing bad about him.
What he needed was an anchor. and
Mrs. Sternes was sure her daughter
was just the anchor needed. She as
scented to the proposition after pro-
Ipouucinc IL impractica BILE
Mrs Brindsley went TO Florida. and
Mrs. Sternes and Ethel, as agreed.
went into her house to take care of II
during her absence.
For few days after his mothers
departure Ralph didn't appear at home
at all Then one afternoon be came
home to replenish his wardrobe. |
While Ethel had nothing whatever to
do with the conspiracy against his lib.
erty. she being young girl and he be-
ing young fellow. there was the
same natural relation between them
as between the spider and the fly. She
heard him come In, 20 to his room and
after awhile come out again. The H.
brary was on one side of the hall and
the parlor on the other side. Ethel
took position in the library, and when
she heard Ralph coming down she
started across the hall to go into the
parIor. so timing the movement as to
meet him at the stairs.
RaIph's treatment of his mothers
friends had not been very civil. He
knew there was Il girls but she was
neither an actress nor a chorus girl,
md he had no use for any other. See
Ing very pretty young lady. he con
sdered it his duty to say something ,
10 her. so he bid her good morning, Z
adding that he hoped she and her !
mother were comfortable and asked II
there was anything he could do for
them. Ethel had prepared list OF
.hings concerning the house and Its
contents upon which she needed In g
ormatioU. SO she said that Ii he had t
lime she would like to submit them tc O
lin. She glanced toward the parlor,
'epeating to herself the couplet: p
win you walk into my parior. said the
spider to the fly.
is the prettiest little parlor that ever you t
did spy. T.
There is no necessity; Indeed, II
would be trespassing for us to follow
he couple into the parlor The young
ady. knowing that the gentleman was S
lot to be won away from the gflded
ct that held him In thrall by prudery
Turing the few weeks that she lived c,
nder the same roof with him. granted !,
i'm all favors that were proper, tnvit 4
az him to a late supper at home In b
tead of at restaurant and with her cl
,stead Of his boon companions. The nj
esult was that by the time her mother 1
,as ready to return he was quite ready
, have her remain away. "
Ethel, however. was by no means -
IRE that she had landed him. Indeed
he was quite sure she had not She
rpected that as soon as she and her
,other removed to their own abode ~
alph would return to his actresses "a
nd chorus girls. But her mother, OBJ ~ ~
,rving that Ralph spent several even :"
lgs in the week at home with hel 81
lughter. considered the matter settled
nd being anxious to return to her own 70
,micile wrote Mrs. Brindsley that she "V
light as wen come home. ST
Ethel was right and her mother was
rong. II the girl had become a ne
.ssity to Brindsley he didn't realize
and had no intention of seeing her
rain after she left his home. How
'er, he went to the station to receive
s mother while the Sternes awaited
II coming before taking their depart
e. Indeed. Mrs. Brindsley was not tt =
rive till half past 10 O'Clock at night
i'd the others were not to leave til Y
e next morning.
Mrs. Brindsley had come 10 with
alph. and the four were chatting In "
e parlor. Zip. the dog. was jumping L
on her mistress lap. and Spot. the
riot, was hopping about in his cage
altering to himself. evidently aware
ut something important had happen
The clock struck IL.
'Goo'by." said Spot Gimme a kiss
won't. You shall. Smack. smack
lack"
The spider had got the fy in her par Y
: but the parrot had shut the door l
him. Ethel saw her advantage and upc
Int even blush. Mrs Brindsley cas-
,ked at her son. evidently for in
-mation. Ralph. despite his faults enc
is too much of a man to put a CIR