The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-03-16
STRATEGY OF A WIDOW
BY GEORGE mUNsoN.

ACbCAlC0 MIS- DCh@O . 80 - A%
knew that they were true.
Elsie and her mother we're summer
ing at the Glen Pass hotel, and Wal
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 a 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 a pretty face
would turn his head. A mans heart
may be loyal, but the best of them
cannot resist passing attraction"
1T is not truei" cried Esie, turning
scarlet.
Unfortunately it is true, my DEAR"
replied the widow. laying n hand
caressingly upon her arm. 1T is only
too true, and l can prove 1t to YOU"
Howl" 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
h.wy -AtHs-x -o4-n ~ DO with XVnr
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-exculpatory
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 it 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'll" ex-
claimed the jealous girl; and, pulling
off her ring, she flung 1t upon the
table.
Elsie was not the type of girl who
dominates over her mother. The elder
woman had seen how things were go
was giving Elsie a lesson, for she Of
fered no consolation when Elsie an
nounced that the engagement was
broken off and hat 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 go downstairs. She knew he
was with hat 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 1t was evident they
did not dream that Elsie was any
where near them.
At the end of the walk was a 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 a
very meaning one, and Elsie. standing
behind the hedge, set her teeth hard.
To be pitied was the last thing that
she could endure.
Il 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 fiance, MI. Boyd, arrives tomorrow
she will be u~ndeceived." she said.
Now, Warren, a word of advice. |
am going to tell her hat 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 a fool she had beeni She ~9w
it now. she remembered all Warren's
misery in the past, caused by her
doubts of him. She was no 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.