Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society

nd backed by John Merrick's millions and their own winsome charms, they were sure to b

fancy to Louise, and when the committee was appointed to arrange for the social Kermess to be held in December, this dictatorial leader had the girl's name included in the list. Naturally the favor led to all t

ey might be placed; Major Doyle growled and protested; but was secretly pleased to have "our Patsy the captain of the dress parade," where he fondly imagined she outclassed

messenger to Diana with a note saying he would be unable to keep his appointment with her that afternoon. Then he wen

nce the night of the reception, if she still loved him, but could not come to a positive conclusion. The boy was no longer "ineligible," as he had been at first; even Uncle John could now have no serious objectio

sed the girl's fighting instincts, rendered the young man doubly important, and easily caused Louise to forget her resentment at his temporary desertion of her. Perhaps, she reflected, it had partially been her own fault.

im smilingly and with o

e, Mr. Weldon. I'd a not

ld you imagine such a thing?

time you gave me no peace; then you became retiring. At last you dis

ughtfully. How pretty she had gr

nd I'll willingly take all the blame if you will forgive me. Once we were-were good friends. We-we intend

the girl, laughing; "and th

don't forget that part of it,

n Miss Diana Von Taer. It has lately

ily, and Louise noted everything and det

with assumed indifference. "You may not care t

y so," he decl

you know. And Di

an ic

ed that? Was she wholl

pt in a friendly way. She amused me for a while when-when I was wretched.

as he hesitated,

tentions in earnest, and the play was

experience that Arthur might as easily deceive himself as Diana in his estimate as to the warmth of the devotion he displayed. His nature was impetuous

charm of his personality influenced her to be lenient with his shortcomings.

e Louise did not succumb too fully to his pleadings, for her feminine instinct warned her to keep the boy on "the anxious seat" long enough to enable him to appreciate her value and the honor of

ve herself as to existent conditions she coldly weighed the chances in her mental scale and concluded she had sufficient

y was to many repulsive, rather than attractive, and this in spite of her exquisite form, her perfect breeding and many undeniable accomplishments. Men, as a rule, seldom remained at her side save through politeness, and even seemed to fear her; but never until now had she cared for any

e canceling the engagement. After rereading his lame excuse she sat down in a quiet corner and began to think. The

book and called up the Merrick establishment. A

with Miss Merri

isturbed, left Arthur's si

, please?"

e gone?" enquired Diana, disguising

wered bewildered Louise; "b

ans

Weldon?" continued the girl, my

so she returned to Arthur. She could not even guess who had called her. Arthur could, though, when he had heard her story, and Dia

fool has thrown me over to go to her. But this is not important. With the situation

until a late hour. Diana went to the telephone again and after several unsuc

ommunication was established. "I want

the answer. "I was unceremoniously

t's all right, Ch

l-pup, and I'm not anxious to mix up with that sort of a relati

nning low

that; they'r

et here as soon as you can. I'll foot the bill-

ed whistle cam

" he asked, wit

and fi

be us

ly; to y

t; I'm on

slowly returned to her den and the easy chair, where

nd with knitted brows. "It isn't so long since dear Uncle Hedrik tumbled

ll, finely formed and well groomed. But his eyes were too close toge

, quiet accents, "and under such circumstances we could not tolerate

ed coolly, trying to r

l as you have proven yourself to be. I'm willing to pay liberally for

ed, with littl

you propose any legal villainy. I'm not partial to th

hful?" she asked, reg

anything that might lead to a jail sentence, because there are easier ways to get money. However, I don't imagine your proposed pla

ample if you su

that. I may

arlie. Do you kno

y; not v

has paid me marked attentio

he leash. Quite

d little thing who is likely to marry the first man who asks her. She is

istled, took a few turns up and do

cigarette without permission and then

ul way which no girl of her sort can long resist. I propose that you make desperate love to Louise Merrick and so cut Arthur Weldon out

a time in refl

" he enquired, present

ur set, and knows nothing of your shady past history. Even if rumors came to her ears, y

um

easily managed and a splendid fo

sting, Di, doe

ur reward will be ample when you have won the game. But meantime I am willing to i

id he, contemptuously, as he fli

you deman

, in advance. It's a

ng as you work earnestly to carry out the plot. I shall watch y

gain," he said, readily enough. "When

triumphant joy. "I'll explain everything to you in det

a cheerful grin. "I feel li