The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-05-21
The Stratagem of Irene
Capital Short Story in j. Morton Lewis Best Vein.

the same post as this, SO if you are
present when Mrs. Kempshot reads it, do
not blush. ] shall. put it ON awfully
thick-I feel l owe it to you. / shall
miss you awfully, but I daresay Amy
will let me come sometimes and enjoy
the marmalado she makes 20 beauti-
fully. Irene knows I abominate mar
malade). Please let me know when the
wedding will be. I must come"
I did not read any further, although
there was another page and half. Ny
eyes wandered to Amy. She was facing
me, the personification Of prim and
proper maidenhood; very proper and sx-
tremely prim.
Then they fell upon Mra Kempshot;
she was stirring her tea and reading a
letter. I recognized the writing. Be-
meath my breath swore at Irene, silent
ly and fluently. I went hot and cold
all over. Amy is delightful girl. She
will make some man most charming
wife, but she is not for me; know my
limitations.
Mrs. Kempshot glanced up from the
letter and smiled at mo. "What viii
you have now, Diekf" she said. It was
the first time she had called mo Dick.
It was on my tongue to ask her for
some prussic acid. "Nothing more" I
murmured politely.
My brain was working furiously. I
felt a fool, q cad, and I endeavored
to find some way out Of the awful pre-
dicament in which I was placed, thanks
to Irene. Why should abe want 70
write to Mrs. Kempshoti She might
have waited until she had heard from
me. My telegram was vague enough.
And it was perfectly true. Only an hour
before had sent it Amy had told me
she would like to have Irene for a
bridesmaid if ever she was married.
Why will women jump at eonelusionsi
l thought it all over until my head
ached. As far as I could $50 thore was
only one way out of the dilemma-one
which must brand me - cad for all
time with the Kempshots.
Mrs. Kempshot put down tho letter.
The smile was still on her face. ri
have heard from Irene this morning."
she said.
It was q leading question. "Have
youi" replied feebly. $50 have L I"
Then followed silence, ono which
was painful in the extreme. Mrs Kemp
shot finished her emp of tea, drinking
with q precision that was horrible
Then she pushed back her chair.
"Mra. Kempshot," I said hurrisdly,
II should like to speak to you"
Certainly" she replied, and wait
ed.
There was NO help for IL now but to
60 through with my apology as best /
could. "Alone," I said.
"Will you come into the drawing.
roomi"
followed her into the room and
closed the door. When looked around
she was standing by the piano, her
arms half folded. She is ono Of those
women who always look stern and
"Mrs. Kempshot," I said, II owe you
m apology"
She gave me the least possible help
she could by remaining silent
II do not know what Irene could
have meant writing to you about II. :"
ut was . very nice letter Irsne sent
me-"
ri expect SO; 1ene's letters are al
ways nice"
"Indeed!" MrA Kampshot's tones
we're frigid.
felt sublimely miserable. "But still
Irene had no right TO jump to the con.
fusion that was engaged to Amy"
"Indeedl" said Mrs Kempshot again.
"No," I continued, gathering cour-
age a. I proceeded II only sent Irene
} wire saying that Amy would like to
zee her at her wedding. I never sug-
,ested that Amy was going to marry
ne; nothing was further from my
thoughts. +"
Mrs. Kempshot regarded me closely.
She looked more angular than ever. I'll
Ion t quite follow you. Irene said moth.
ng In her letter about you being en-.
IN rod - Ary A., "a rn3arstord th,@