Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-02-25
STRATEGY OF A WIDOW
BY GEORGE MUNSON.

|
ing at the Glen Pass hotel, and War
rem Norton was spending his vacation
there.
That evening Mrs. Benton made
overtures to Elsie, who had regarded
her with sullen aversion from the mo-
ment of their introduction. However,
the accomplished woman of the world
soon managed to thaw the heart of the
undisciplined, inexperienced girl.
Yes, Warren Is dear boy" she
said, but like most men, am afraid"
What do you mean by that? de-
manded Elsie, flying to arms at once
on Johns behalf.
Il mean, dear, that pretty face
would turn his head. A mans heart
may be loyal, but the best of them
cannot resist passing attraction "
1T is not true!" cried Elsie, turning
scarlet.
Unfortunately it is true, my DEAR
replied the widow, laying one hand
caressingly upon her arm. ut is only
too true, and can prove 1t to you"
"How?" demanded Elsie.
"By bringing your Warren to my
feet within two days" Mrs. Benton an
swered
You can't do it," cried Elsie scorn.
fully. But | will let you try, Mrs.
Benton, and, if you succeed, ! will
have nothing more to do with War
ren."
The next few days were wretched
ones for Elsie. True. Mrs. Benton did
not succeed within the period that she
had allotted herself, but it was evident
that Warren was strongly infatuated
with her There were angry scenes be-
tween the engaged couple. To Elsle's
astonishment Warren, who had always
been so penitent and selfexculpatory
on former occasions, now appeared
braZen.
elsie, Mrs. Benton is the sister of
John Benton in the Philippines" he
said. Il have told you often how
John is my best friend. We have not
seen each other for years, and 1t is
natural that l should like his sister.
Come, be friendly with her, Elsie, and
let US all be happy together"
20, hate her and hate you!" ex-
claimed the jealous girl; and, pulling
off her ring, she flung it upon the
table.
Elsie was not the type of girl who
dominates over her mother. The elder
woman had seen how things were 60
ing; perhaps she thought that Warren
was giving Elsie lesson, for she Of
fered no consolation when Elsie an.
nounced that the engagement was
broken off and that they would start
home on the morrow.
Elsie did not go down to dinner that
night But afterwards a feverish de-
sire to see Warren again forced her to
dress and 60 downstairs. She knew he
was with that odious Benton woman,
and she could not go away without tor
turing herself by seeing them together.
Poor Elsie reached the veranda just
in time to see The couple disappearing
together along the most secluded of
the many beautiful walks of the Glen
Pass. They were walking slowly
side by side, and it was evident they
did not dream that Elsie was any.
where near them.
At the end of the walk was hedge
of box, round which the road wound
into a pretty little summer house.
Taking her stand behind the hedge,
Elsie heard the conversation,
Poor Elsie." said Warren in a low
voice
Poor Elsie!" said Mrs. Benton In
very meaning one, and Elsie, standing
behind the hedge set her teeth hard
To be pitied was the last thing that
she could endure.
81 feel guilty of disloyalty to her in
having permitted you to plan this,
Mrs. Benton" said Warren.
MY dear boy it is the best thing in
the world for her." replied the elder
woman "A sharp lesson was neces'
sary, and as the sister of your best
friend | feel that it is my duty to give
her that lesson"
"She thinks | am in love with you,"
said Warren.
Mrs. Benton laughed merrily. when
my tiance, Mr.. Boyd, arrives tomorrow
she will be undeceived," she said.
Now, Warren, a word Of advice. l
am going to tell her that it was all a
plan of mine in order to bring her to
reason and cure her absurd jealousy.
You stay there till | come back, and
shall bring her with me-
And she stepped off along another
path toward the hotel, while Elsie
heard herself sob in the darkness.
What fool she had been! She saw
it now, she remembered all Warrep's
misery in the past, caused by her
doubts of him. She was not worthy OF
him. She-she-
Suddenly she felt two arms about
her. Very niserably she raised her
head Warren stood beside her.
Elsie! You heard?" he cried.
20, what a fool | have been!" she
said. What wretched jealous fool.
deserved this, Warren, to teach me
to trust the man love. Do you really
love me, Warren?"
Warren slipped the ring on her
finger again. And in the conscious
ness of their newborn trust they we've
SO absorbed in each other that kindly
Mrs Benton, approaching in the dark
ness took a by-path back to the hotel
instead.
copyright, by W. G.. Chapman)