Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-05-13
AND THE HOUSEHO
The Daily Story
Peters Best Trick

he come prepared to do tricks
But Peter was not as much of a nui-
sance as the usual parlor entert; Ter. He
was really clever magician, who. under
other circumstances. might have gained
fame as professional, and he enjoyed
his performances himself. though he was
wont to proclaim that he was loved not
for himself alone. but for what he could
do
He did not mind as a rule. the prom
inence given his work, but he had more
to Mrs Furbush when he learned that
Ethel Percy would be one of the guests,
Don't forget to bring your very best
tricks" Mrs. Furbush wrote, "for we
shall have private theatricals on Saturday
evening, and they will come in very
handy"
Peter thought of the scandalous fash
| ion in which she had sought Edith Percy
I for Tom Furbush, and there was a hidden
| meaning in his polite assurance that he
| would have some new experiments for
| the delectation of Mrs. Furbush's guests
Had IL not been for Tom Furbush. he
| thought he would already have been able
| to win a yes" from Edith, but twice,
| when he had come on the verge of
| proposal Tom had numbered around
some corner with a sheepish grin to
claim her for dance or to deliver mes
sage from his mother
Peter firmly believed that Mrs. Furbush
could feel him go into a conservatory or
cosy corner with Edith There would be
an additional charm in winning Edith
under that good lady's very nose.
That she should have tolerated him at
her house party was not to be explained
upon any other ground than that she
needed him for entertainment, and truth
to tell, Mrs Furbush waited long before
she wrote the invitation while she
weighed the question of her need Only
the knowledge that Peters tricks would
probably save her performance led her
to extend the invitation. and for the rest
she had faith in her skill as a social gem
eral to keep Peter away from Edith.
That her confidence was not misplaced
was easily apparent to poor Peter, who
found himself blocked at every turn in
his endeavor to steal a few minutes with
Edith. So anxious was Mrs. Furbush TO
keep them apart that she made the grave
error of throwing Tom and Edith to-
gether too much, and the girl was heart
lily sick of her boorish admirer long be-
fore the end of the week.
Peter smiled as he noticed these signs,
and, to Mrs. Furbush's great delight, he
practicing his tricks. 1t was her first
party in the new house, and she wanted
II to be talked about.
There were several tableauX in which
Edith and Tom frequently figured as
lovers of history. and then while the par
ticipants in the tableaux were dressing
there were vocal and instrumental num-
bcrs.
At last Peter was announced, and as
he stepped upon the platform. Edith, es-
corted by Tom, passed down the aisle to
where front seats had been reserved for
the participants In the performance.
IN contrast with the amateurish work
of those who had gone before. Peters
work was positively brilliant. There were
tricks he had never tried before and long
before the end of his program his audi
ence realized that he was working with
some end in view.
For his last trick he had saved the
ring boxes. Borrowing half dozen rings
in the audience he ground them in a
mortar. and. stufting them into a gun,
fired at box which had hung on the
stage all through his performance.
From this box he took a smaller one,
ard so on until half a dozen were piled
upon the stage before he reached the last
box. within which lay five roses, to the
stems of which rings were tied by rib
bons. These he quickly tossed to their
owners and ran back to the stage,
"Is there any lady who has not re-
ceived her rlng?" he called with an as
sumption of anxiety,
You have not returned Miss Percy's
ring" called Tom, sharply.
That's So" admitted the magician, ex-
amining the box. 81 am sure that all six
We're loaded into the gum"
We'll" said Tom, complacently, II
guess one of them hung fire, then. 1 am
positive Miss Percy has not her ring"
Edith, sharing the general belief that
something had happened to spoil the
trick, sought to silence her companion
but Tom would have none of it,
The favor accorded Peters tricks an
gered him. He was clever in none of
the society ways, and bitterly Jealous of
those who were. II Peter had made a
mistake he would force 1t home; he would
humiliate him and make him a laughing
stock.
II admit that Miss Percy gave me the
ring" agreed Peter; but am also posi-
tive that / shot ii into that box and not
into my pocket Did any of you see the
charge scatter?" He turned to the audi
ence. None was prepared to admit the |
fact.
1T must be around here somewhere"
he went on anSiqusly, as he raised the |
bits OF apparatus on the table and peered |
under them.
"It couldn't have gone on the table" |
insisted Tom. IF you put 1t in the gun" |
"No?" said Peter quite to the con- |
trary. / think l shot it into this bottle" |
He tapped the bottle with a small ham |
mer and II fell apart. disclosing turtle |
dove with a ring tied about its neck. A |
murmur ran through the audience as the |
people realized that Peters anxiety had |
merely been a bit OF byplay, and Tom |
bit his lips until they bled as he saw |
how he had been led into helping Peter
out.
Peter came forward with the dove, and |
as he detached the ring and slipped II on
Edith's finger, he whispered something.
She blushed and nodded, but TOMS |
sharp eyes caught glimpse of the ring. |
HI" he called, that's not the same
ring"
SIS that your ring, Miss Percy?" he
asked
'lt is" she replied. as a wave of pink !
swept over her~cheeks.
"But hers was a pearl" persisted Tom. |
This is a diamond solitaire"
Then the full force of what the ring /
meant swept over him and he sat down |
very suddenly.
Since Miss Percy Acknowledges the /
ring as her own" said Peter quietly, II |
do not see what right you have to COM
plain The pearl ring you will fnd also
on Miss Percy's finger"
Tom glanced at the hand and saw that
Peter spoke the truth, That's all right"
he clustered, hut what's the other7"
That" said Peter calmly, lis some
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