Big Game - A Story for Girls

In spite of her light and easy manner, the problem of her brother's

future weighed heavily upon the girl's mind. The eleventh hour

approached, and nothing more definite had been achieved in the way of

encouragement than an occasional written line at the end of the printed

rejections: "Pleased to see future verses," "Unsuitable; but shall be

glad to consider other poems." Even the optimism of two-and-twenty

recognised that such straws as these could not weigh against the hard-

headed logic of a business man!

It was in the last degree unlikely that Ronald would make any striking

success in literature in the time still remaining under the terms of the

agreement, unless--as she herself had hinted--desperate measures were

adopted to meet desperate needs. A scheme was hatching in Margot's

brain,--daring, uncertain; such a scheme as no one but a young and self-

confident girl could have conceived, but holding nevertheless the

possibilities of success. She wanted to think it out, and movement in

the fresh air gave freedom to her thoughts.

Really it was simple enough,--requiring only a little trouble, a little

engineering, a little harmless diplomacy. Ronald was a mere babe where

such things were concerned, but he would be obedient and do as he was

told, and for the rest, Margot was confident of her own powers.

The speculative frown gave way to a smile; she laughed, a gleeful,

girlish laugh, and tossed her head, unconsciously acting a little

duologue, with nods and frowns and upward languishing glance. All

things seem easy to sweet and twenty, when the sun shines, and the scent

of spring is in the air. The completed scheme stood out clear and

distinct in Margot's mind. Only one small clue was lacking, and that

she was even now on the way to discover!