The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-09-03
A Double
Deception
By EUNICF BLAKE

Esteile AuchincLSs awoke at IL
o'clock In the morning with sicken
Ing sensation. She had been Out ev-
cry night for week al some function.
slept the greater part of the day and
ut evening prepared for the next round
Of gayety.
"Oh. how tired | am of II. ! wish ]
to occupy me. Being rich. | can't"
Miss Auchincloss lay In bed a long
while thinking. then arose with a
scheme she had resolved to put in
practice. She wrote IN advertisement
that young woman recently gradual
ton as governess In "A family living
In the country Within week she
had purchased a railroad ticket 10 Hi
ton to be inspected and was offered
and accepted a situation under the
name Of Maria Bristow.
Now. 1t happened that Jack Larrabee.
the son of the lady who had engaged
the governess. when the negotiations
were In progress peeped through the
half open door and recognized per
son he had seen and admired as one
of the most graceful dancers In the
social world. He had never been pre-
sented to her and was sure that she
did not know him.
IL think | know trick worth two
O that" he said and got cut OF the
way before the applicant had seen him.
There were in the Larrabee family,
besides Jack, Mrs. Larrabee, a widow.
and two little daughters. There was a
chauffeur who sometimes acted as gar
dener. The morning after Miss Auch-
incloss entered upon her duties she
saw a man In overalls outside prepar-
ing the flower beds for spring use. Be
ing fond of flowers. she went out to
ask him some questions as to what he
was doing.
81 didn't know" she said. that Mrs.
Larrabee employed two men on the
place. supposed the chauffeur did
the gardening"
80 he does. miss. but this spring
the missis has hired me-"
Miss Auchhcloss asked a number OF
questions about what kind OF flowers
he was intending to put In. then re
turned to the house and soon after be-
gan work with the children at their
lessons.
Now, Jack Larrabee, In order to play
gardener without being given away,
told his mother that he was tired OF
the social whirl and anxious to make
a man of himself. He proposed to take
the position of gardener for garden.
er's pay, but he stipulated that he
should do SO incognitO. His being
member of the family was not to be
divulged. His sisters were not only
charged not to give the secret away.
but rewards were offered them II they
refralned from doing so.
Occasionally the chauffeur was
bribed by Jack to plead illness. and
Jack took his place at the wheel. Jack
also at times bribed his sisters when
the time came for the afternoon ride
to do something else. thus giving him
an opportt.lity to make love to the
governess.
1t was not to be expected that this
twofold deception could be kept up In
definitely, though Miss Auchincloss
had better chance at the problem
than Mr.. Larrabee. she being some 6is-
lance from home. Jack by incessant
watchfulness kept the ball a-rolling for
a month, though he met with num-
ber OF narrow escapes. He was dis
appointed. however, In not being able
to break down the barrier that sepa-
rated him from one who was supposed
to be Of higher station. Miss Auch-
incloss, though evidently kindly dis
posed toward him, required him at all
times to keep his distance.
One day when Jack was driving the
governess In a runabout they met two
of his friends. Ned Morgan and Char.
lie Phelps. A chauffeur's apparel h
not necessarily much different from
that Of an ordinary person. and the
young men thought little Of seeing
Jack at the wheel.
"Hold on. Jack!" cried one Of them.
"T wish to speak to YOU"
Jack put on more speed. His friends,
one Of whom had recognized the socie-
" belle, Miss Auchincloss, turned and
followed. Seeing an opportunity by
taking different road to meet thu
couple again. they turned and by some
rapid driving succeeded In their do
sign. On meeting again they signal
ed Jack to stop and enforced his doing
30 by occupying his side Of the road.
Phelps greeted the governess with q
hearty Good morning. Miss Auchin.
clossF' while Morgan apologized to
Jack for stopping him on the ground
that he had message for him.
Jack looked at Miss Auchincloss, and
Miss Auchincloss looked at Jack. but
neither said anything till they had got
rid of the two men. Then Jack said:
MY secret Is out"
'Tts been out for some time"
WHAT You have known who I
am?"
Ever since I came to the house.
You may have forgotten that danced
I'm the same figure with you at MrA
Perkins cotillion."
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