The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-03-19
A Double
Deception
By EUNlG BLAKE

IL LhS AASA AAhS ASA AS"S
ing sensation. She had been out ev-
cry night for a week at some function.
slept the greater part Of the day and
at evening prepared for the next round
of gayety.
"Oh. how tired I am of it! l wish l
were poor. 1 could then find something
to occupy me. Being rich, l 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 an advertisement
that a young oma recently gradual
ed from - college would like a posi-
tion as governess in a family living
in the country. Within a week she
had purchased a railroad ticket to Hill
ton to be inspected and was offered
and accepted a situation under the
name Of Maria Bristow.
Now. it 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 a per-
son he had seen and admired us n
of the most graceful dancers In the
social world. He had never been pre-
sented to her and was sure that h
did not know him.
81 think l know u trick worth W.
o. that" he said and got out 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. l supposed the chauffeur did
the gardening"
$50 he does, miss. but this spring
the missis has hired me-"
Miss Auchincloss asked q 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 a garden
er's pay, but he stipulated that he
should do 20 incognito. His being q
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
refrained from doing 80.
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
I'm opportunity 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 a better chance at the problem
than Mr.. Larrabee. she being some dis
lance from home. Jack by incessant
watchfulness kept the ball a-rolling for
a month. though he met with q num-
Der 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 a 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 u runabout they met two
of his friends. Ned Morgan and Char
lie Phelps. A chauffeur's apparel is
not necessarily much different from
that of an ordinary person. and the
young men thought little of seeing
Jack ut the wheel.
"Hold on. jack" cried mi of them.
Il wish to speak to you"
Jack put on more speed. His friends.
one Of whom had recognized the socie-
ty belle, Miss A~uchincloss. turned and
followed. Seeing an opportunity by
taking a different road to meet the
couple again. they turned and by some
rapid driving succeeded in their de-
sign. On meeting again they signal
ed Jack to stop and enforced his doing
so by occupying his side. Of the road.
Phelps greeted the governess with a
hearty Good morning. Miss Auchin-
Gloss" while Morgan a%pologized to
Jack for stopping him. on the ground
that he had a message for him.
Jack looked at Miss A~uchincl0ss, and
Miss Auchincloss looked at Jack, but
neither said anything till they had got
rid Of the two men. Then Jack said:
MY secrets out"
Its been out for some time" It "
what! You have known who 1
am?" /. s @
ever since I came to the house.
You may have forgotten that I danced
In the same figure with you at Mrs.
Perkins cotillion."
II recognized you. but 1 fancied that
you didn't remember % 1.
.Well.' rejoined Miss A~uchincicss.
ssmv lawn 0-nvarnoAa and vOuP NAV.