Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

The maid came at once, to all appearances, as happy and careless as

ever. After expressing her sympathy she asked what she could do.

"Just sit down and keep me company, dear," replied Louise. "I'm not very

bad, but I'm restless and can't sleep, and I want you to talk to me and

amuse me."

Eliza laughed.

"That is easy, as far as talking is concerned," she said. "But to amuse

you, Miss Louise, may be more difficult."

But the girls found a topic of conversation in the election, in which

Eliza was much interested, and they chatted together for an hour or so

before Louise made any move to consummate her plot.

"I hope my foolish reports to Mr. Hopkins did no harm to Mr. Forbes,"

Eliza was saying. "I really had little to tell him of your conversation

or movements."

"You did no harm at all, for Mr. Forbes was elected," replied Louise.

Then she said, carelessly:

"Martha has sent me this pitcher of lemonade, and I don't care for it.

Won't you drink a glass, Eliza?"

"No, thank you," she replied, shaking her head. "I never drink

lemonade."

"Then have one of these sandwiches?"

"I'm not hungry, Miss Louise."

Louise sighed. Both the lemonade and the sandwiches had been "dosed" by

Dr. Hoyt. Then she picked up the box of bon-bons that was beside her.

"But you will eat some candy, dear. Every girl likes candy."

"I don't seem to care for it," said Eliza carelessly.

"Just one piece, to please me," coaxed Louise, and selected a piece from

the box with dainty care. "Here, my dear; you'll find this sort very

nice."

Eliza hesitated, but finally reached out her hand and took the bon-bon.

Louise lay back in her chair and closed her eyes, fearing their

eagerness might betray her. When after a time she opened them again

Eliza was slowly rocking back and forth and chewing the confection.

Dr. Hoyt's first suggestion had been best. The potion had been prepared

in several ways to tempt Eliza, but the candy had been the effectual

bait.

Louise felt a glow of triumph, but managed to continue the conversation,

relating in an amusing way the anxiety of the Elmhurst folks when the

first returns seemed to indicate the election of Hopkins.