Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 April 1919 — HIS CAMPAIGN [ARTICLE]

HIS CAMPAIGN

By RAMONA WOODBURY.

Capt. Carry Cnrewe. V. S. A., recently returnitl from overseas, surveyed hi* sister, Elizabeth,, riding in the Pullman chair opposite him. with a great deal of approval. During his absence from Imine Elizabeth had been transformed from a red-beaded, f reckl ed-face nuisance to a beautiful creature with all the outward embellishment* of a young lady. Just she leaned forward In her chair and spoke to him. “Carey," she pleaded, bringing her lovely voice Into action.“ There’s something I want you to do most awfully for me while you’re home." “All right. Tell your big brother, about it." Elizabeth smiled contentedly. “You remember Nancy Groton?” “Nope! Wait a minute —I believe I do. Next to you. Betty, she was the homeliest girl In town, and we fellows jused to call her Nanny.” “Ye-es. Bnt she's far from being the ‘homeliest girl’ in town now. Walt till you see her. She’s the sweetest thing." “And of. course you rejncmber. Angelica Wade?" “Oh, yes.”. Carey tried, to reply casually, but a wave of embarrassment swept over him. Remember Angelica? Well, rather! Angelica, who played with his youthful heart'until she tired, and then threw it back to him ! Angelica’s beautiful face had remained fixed in his mind. Elizabeth aroused him from his not too pleasant daydream. “Well, Carey, there's been a bitter rivalry between Nancy and Angelica. “Don’t keep me in suspense, Betty. What was the crowning act?”

“Why, Carey, when Roger Cleves came to town to practice law, Nancy was nice to him-*and Roger was devoted to her. Everybody believed them engaged until suddenly Angelica came hack from New York, saw how close Nancy and Roger were, and almost over night Angelica had him in her clutch. She announced their engagement a month ago. Nancy hasn't said a word —she has too much pride. But every one knows she’s hard hit. Now can you guess what I want you to do?” “Make love to Angelica?” “No! To Nancy! Will you do It, Carey?” “Jffaybe, Betty. Here’s our station, isn’t it?” “Yes. Nancy was going to meet us with her car. Oh. there she is." As they drove up the main thoroughfare of the town, an expensive runabout passed them. The girl driving the machine nodded at Nancy and Elizabeth, then her gaze swept wonderfngly over Captain Carewe, who returned her steady look unwaveringly. It relieved him to find that he could look into that lovgly .face without a flicker of emotion.

Betty caught his arm and whispered : “There’s Angelica, Carey. Did you see the jealousy in her eyes?” Carey laughed. “I think, Betty,” he whispered back, after another glance at Nancy, “I think I’ll find this campaign mighty interesting.” A month later Angelica admitted to herself that she was annoyed. She had danced and dined and picnicked with the charming Captain Carewe, but for every attention he had shown her Nancy Groton received a double amount. Finally, she took Elizabeth partly into her confidence. “Of coprs&,” said Elizabeth, with a great snow of innocence, “Carey knows you’re engaged to Roger, and Carey is a man of honor.” “Oh. Roger!” exclaimed Angelica, but her eyes lightened with a new idea. On the following Thursday evening Elizabeth came dancing into Carey’s room as he was about to leave for an engagement with Nancy. Elizabeth caught him in her youthful embrace and kissed him several times. . “Carey, you darling!” she finally cried. *Tt worked I It actually worked!” “Wlrat worked?” he asked, puzzled. “Our scheme!, Angelica threw Roger over, and he’s glad of it, and tonight he proposed, and- —” “He did !” Carey caught up his cap and was out of the house at a bound. Carey caught the surprised Nancy In his arms and kissed her until she was quite breathless. , ♦

“Nancy,” he said tjjfcally. “for heaven’s sake tell me it isn’t true! You know I love you with all the love in my heart. Tell' me quickly that you love me and that you’re going to marry me.” “Oh!” gasped Nancy, trembling ■vtlth emotion. “Am I?” “Yno wre*” ’j.’ ’’ .. Of her own volition, she raised her head and kissed Carey’s chin. “Then I suppose I am.” ■ “And you don’t love Roger, do you?” Carey persisted? ; “Of course ndt.” “Why on’ earth, then, did you let him propose?” ■-< “Bfat Elizabeth told me—” ’ “Maybe .he . proposed to her. She’s been in love with him for a long time.” “Ttfe little Imp!” Nancy raided questioning eyes to Carey. ~• “I should say,” he amended fervently, “the blessed Tittle imp!”' fCopyright, 1919. by tbe McClure Newspni - per Syndicate.)