THE DOUBLE RUSE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2304, 16 April 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE DOUBLE RUSE.

"Harjiy was away at college when you came here, and for the three years, whenever he was at, home, you were sure to be at school or away visiting. The sum total of the whole matter is this—you are both as obstinate as mules, or you might have seen each other long ayo," said Mr Meredith, in an antrry voice, from his-arrn chair at. the window.

"Down, Bruno! down, sir ! Bee what your naughty claws have done," and without paying the slightest attention to the irritable old gentleman, Miss Leonie Alton pointed out to Muster Bruno the damage his claws had done her blue silk wrapper. "Are you listening to me, Leouie?" shouted Mr Meredith, in a rage. "Yes, sir—stop, Bruuo. You said something about mules, but you can't mean what you say, Papa Merpdith, for I know I'm not a mule, and as for Bruno— are you a mule, Bruno ?" " Who's talking , about the brute ? Send him out of here or T'll flinir a stool at his head, I was speaking of Harry." " Oh !" exclaimed Leonie, opening wide her bluo eyes, an if she just grasped the old gentleman's meaning. "So it's your worthy son that's the irule. Well, as 1 never had the honour of seeing the yountr gentleman, of course I cannot say whether he is or not. But if he is anything like paterfamilias he is " "He is what?' , roared Mr Meredith, " I think I won't finish it, Papa Meredith, I wasn't going to be complimentary, you know. " You impudent minx, listen to what I have to say, and then take yourself out of my sight as quickly as possible. You are not to leave this house until Harry comes home, and then, if you wish to go to Bessie Cheever's he will go with you.

" I suppose ho will bring Frank Mason home with him ; if he does you must tak* j him alontr with you, for he is full of mischief, and I won't have him around idp. Of course they are both strangers to Bessie, but she told me she would be very glad to have them come, as her parents would not be home for some weeks, and the big house is very lonesome. And there's no to telling, my dear, but Frank and Bessie may take a notion to each other," said Mr Meredith, forgetting his anger.

" W6ll, I declare, Papa Meredith, so you are hoc satisfied witii making , a match for your son and myself, but you must do it likewise for your friends. Very kind of you, truly. I hope you will succeed in settling Mr Mason and Miss Cheever for life; but as for me remaining here to receive Mr Harry Meredith, I'll do nothing of the kind. I suppose he thinks I am waiting here—dyinsr to see him. Well, he'll find out his mistake ; and if I can't go to Bessie's until ho accompanies me, then I won't go at all. I won't, I won't!"

"Why, Leonie, I don't think Harry thinks anything about yon."

' I know he doesn't, sir ; if he did he, would have tried to see me before this You told him he must marry me, and that is why he remains away, but you needn't feel uneasy, for I won't marry him."

" NV>w, Leonie, that is not what I intended to say. If I thought for a moment that Harry intended to disobey me, I would cast him off without a cent," burst forth Mr Meredith. "My child, all this was settled between your parents and myself when you were a wee thing in your crib. Have you no regard for your dead parents' wishes, Leonie ? It is well they did not live to see this day. I wonder if they know what a hard time I have had with you for the last five years, , ' concluded Mr Meredith in a broken voice. " Oh, papa ! I really didn't mean to grieve you." Two white arms stole around his neck, and two blue eyes, swimming in tears, looked up into his. "If you will only let me go before he comes ; and if he is anxious to see me lie can come up to Bessie's and bring Mr Mason with him. Say yes, papa, and I will try and like Harry for your sake." Who could refuse Leonie in such a mood ? Surely not quick-tempered, good-natured Mr Meredith. Early [that, same afternoon Leonie left the Fifth Avenue mansion, and after two hoars' ride over the Hudson River road, arrived safely at Cheever Hill. Gentle Bessie Cheever was delighted. The great house was very lonesome, with no one but the servants. All that evening the girls sat together, racking their brains for some plan ; and they hit one at last. Before bed-time came the ruse they planned for the beuefifc of two young gentleman from the city —providing they put in an appearance—was perfect. L"onie Alton w-is to personate Miss Oheever, and play the part of hostess to perfection ; and Bessie Ch'ever was to take the very difficult role of Leonie Alton, impudent minx.

About noon the next day, Harry Meredith, who had arrived with hi friend, Frank Mason, early in the morning, lit a cigar, stretched his fivrf feet ten of manhood on the library sofa, and signified his readiness to hoar whatever his father had to say. Mr Meredith talked loud and long' to his only son After listening with the greatest nonchalance for one mortal hour, Mr Harry Meredith rose, savins.' : "My dear father, you may leave your irionev to whom yon please. If I don't love the girl I won'i marry her. To please you, though, Frank and I will take a run up to to Mis> Cheever's to-morrow." " Good heavens !" mentally ejaculated Mr Meredith, as his son strolled from the room, " what should I do if in love with Frank Mason V " It's well we're about the same colour, Frank," said Harry Meredith to his friend, as they walked away from the j little station on the Hudson. " I m;iy have been deseiibed to her, you know," and there was a merry twinkle in Harry's handsomer-brown eyes. " Bah ! she won't know you from Ada in. Just say you are Frank Mason and stick to it. Of course there is nothing left for me but to l>e-ha ! —Mr Harry Meredith, and act accordingly." Two weeks passed away, and not a word of news came from Cheever Hill to the mansion on tlie avenue, although Mr Meredith was dying to know how the youna: people wore getting along. Mr Meredith was in high good humour, though, and he rubbed hisjhauds gleefully as he"thought how nicely his plans must bo progressing, or that minx would have been back long en:>ugh ago. But alas for Mr Meredith's srood humour ! The next day told a different story. It never rains hut it pours—arid with the morning mail caine two letters—one from Harry, one from Leonie ; and oh, what letters ! The few remaining locks on Mr Meredith's head were every moment in imminent danger of being pulled out by the roots, and it was as much as any one's life would be worth to approach him, as lie Rat all the morning with the two letters open before him. "So it was fate that brought you and your darling Bessie together," said Mr Meredith, his eves resting on his son's letter. Well, we'll see, sir, whether you'll obey fate or me." And, turning to Leonie, he continued: "And you think you'll die if you cannot have your beloved Frank. Die you will, then, my lady, for it that young scamp doesn't leave this part of the country I'll blow his brains out. It's now half-past twelve, and I'll get there by three. Yes, I'll do it. I'll surprise them." And forgetting all about his gouty toes, Mr Meredith hastily arose and rang the bell. "The carriage at onoe, James." Three hours

alter, Mr Meredith stood on tie steps of the Checver mansion. " Are the young ladies in the parlour," he asked of the servant who admitted him, for just then the sound of familiar laughter greeted his ears. " Yes, sir," answered the man, gazing in astonishment at the old gentleman, whose face was as red as a beet, and teeming with perspiration. '■You needn't announce me, then," said Mr Meredith, walking past the man and making for the parlour from whence came the noise. A pretty picture greeted his sight, as he stood in the doorway unnoticed for a moment. Leonie sat at the window, smiling down on his dutiful son, who sat on a stool at her feet, holding some tangled worsted while she unravelled it. Uow bright, handsome and bappy they both looked ! Further down the room, with their faces turned from him, sat Bessie Cheever at the piano and Frank Mason by her side. " Ahem !" came from the doorway, Leonie looked up, screamed and dropped her ball of worsted. The gentleman at her feet turned around, elevated his brows slightly and coolly gazed at his father. Nothing earthly could disturb Mr Harry Meredith. Poor, timid Bessie fled to the farthest corner of the room, and Frank Mason tried hard to keep from laughing. ' Since you fixed things to your own liking , up here, you two can afford to be on very friendly terms, it seems,' said Mr. iieredith, hi-» face purple with rage, as he crossed over to where Harry and Leonie were seated. ' 0, Frank !' exclaimed Leonie, turning , to her companion for protection. 'So his name is first on your tongue, you jade !' .screamed Mr. Meredith, as he grasped her fiercely by the arm. ' Here, sir,' Raid Harry, rising , , ' say what you like to me, but do not use Miss Chewer wo roughly.' 'Mi-w Cheever ! Are you losing , your senses, sir ? How dare you act in defiance of my wishes ? ' ' Please don't speak to Mr. Mason like that papa,' said Lsonie, laying her hand gently on the old man's arm. ' Are you losing your senses, too, Leonie Alton, or has all this trouble driven me mad ? I'm not speakintr to Frank Mason. I'll see him by and by. I'm speaking , now ta this ungrateful dog here. Harry Meredith.' " Harry Meredith ?" cried Leonie, her blue eyes starting at the gentleman she had known as Frank Mason. " Leonie Alton/' exclaimed Harry, and a new light came into the brown eyes that gazed into the blue ones. Mr Meredith gazed helplessly from one to the other. " Were they going crazy, or what did all this mean ?"' he thought. " Ha ! ha ! ha ! beat at our own game, by Jove, Harry," laughed Frank Mason, joining the astonished group. "Give me your hand, Meredith, it's all right. There has been a double ruse, in operation here for the last two weeks." Then came the explanations. "You unconscionable young heathens," said Mr Meredith, "bring a man in my condition such a journey " "Now, hush ! Papa Meredith, Nobody sent for you ; and this journey is a sure cure for the gout," said Leouie, looking more radiant and saucy than ever before. " Well, I suppose I must forgive you!" said Papa Meredith, his face beaming with delight.-N. Y. News.