Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-04-09
STRATEGY OF A WIDOW
BY GEORGE MUNSoN.


what pity that she seems so jealous"
Warren Norton flushed deeply. He
resented Mrs. BentOn's words, but he
knew that they were true.
Elsie and her mother were summer
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.
Eyes, 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.
81 mean, dear, that a pretty face
would turn his head. A mans heart
may be loyal, but the best of them
cannot resist passing attraction"
ut is not true!" cried Elsie, turning
scarlet.
Unfortunately it is true, my dear, -
replied the widow, laying one hand
caressingly upon her arm. at is only
too true, and | can prove it 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 l will let you try, Mrs
Benton, and, if you succeed, l will
have nothing more to do with War
rem"
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 Elsie's
establishment Warren, who had always
been so penitent and self-exculpat0ry
on former occasions, now appeared
brazen.
Elsie, Mrs. Benton is the sister Of
John Benton in the Philippines" he
said. 81 have told you often how
John is my best friend. We have moi
seen each other for years, and it il
natural that l should like his sister
Come, be friendly with her, Elsie, ant
let us all be happy together"
20, l hate her and l 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 go
ing; perhaps she thought that Warner
was giving Elsie a lesson, for she of
| fered no consolation when Elsie an
nounced that the engagement was
broken off and that they would star
home on the morrow.
Elsie did not go down to dinner tha
night. But afterwards a feverish de
sire to see Warren again forced her t.
dress and go downstairs. She knew hi
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 JUS
in time to see the couple disappearing
together along the most secluded o
the many beautiful walks of the Glel
Pass. They were walking slowl.
side by side, and it was evident the.
did not dream that Elsie was any
where near them.
At the end of the walk was hedg
of box, round which the road wount
into pretty little summer house
Taking her stand behind the hedge
Elsie heard the conversation.
Poor Elsie!" said Warren in lov
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 tina
she could endure.
81 feel guilty of dlsloyalty to her il
having permitted you to plan this
Mrs. Benton" said Warren.
"My dear boy, it is the best thing II
the world for her." replied the eide
woman. "a sharp lesson was neces
sary, and as the sister of your bes
friend, feel that it is my duty to Civ
her that lesson"
"She thinks | am in love with you,
said Warren.
Mrs. Benton laughed merrily. "Whs
my fance, Mr.. Boyd, arrives tomorrow
she will be undeceived," she said
Now, Warren, a word Of advice.
am going to tell her that it was all
plan of mine in order to bring her t
reason and cure her absurd jealousy
You stay there till | come back, and
shall bring her with me-
And she stepped off along anothe
path toward the hotel, while Elsi
heard herself sob in the darkness.
What fool she had been! She say
it now, she remembered all Warren
misery in the past, caused by he
doubts of him She was not worthy @
him. She-she-
Suddenly she felt two arms abou