Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-11-07
A Bitter Lesson.

A Bitter Lesson.
Theo Richmond looked handsome
enough to captivate any girls heart,
Is he stood leaning against the mantel
piece, looking down with laughing eyes
on the girl who was sitting on the low
hassock in the bay window. Such a
pretty little thing, with golden hair
tied back from her blossom face, aud
the sweetest pair of scarlet lips. Very
loveble she looked, but just now q
shadow was on her face that had no bus
mess there; little pitiful culver of
the red lips that Theo did not see, else
he never would have stood looking so
mischievously at her.
"Take my advice, Lily-we fellows
know what's what in such cases-tako
my advice, and don't let Rex Merle
make you miserable. He likes you,
sis. better than any girl he ever saw.
I know he does, because he says so,
and when he gets ready he'll propose,
my word for it, unless you discourage
him by being too-too-well too anx-
ious about him. You see fellow
doesn't like a girl to show she likes
him, and upon my honor, Lily-don't
get vexed now-but really, you do let
him know too we'll how much you like
him."
A hot blush surged over her face.
30 Theo! am sure l never did.
I should die if I thought I had"
swell, you have, am afraid"
"Theo, you are mistaken; it is not
in the least like me to show my feel
ings."
Mr.. Richmond twirled his mustache
affectionately.
"Well, maybe you haven't. But
there's one thing certain, there's no
surer way to make o fellow pony up
that is. If you want him-than to firt
with some other fellow, and arouse his
jealousy. you know. Why don't you
do it? There's Colonel Elmer; he's q
fine looking.fellow, and word from
me will fix it all right"
"Oh, no, no! I couldn't, Theo."
If Mr.. Merle does not care for-any one
am sure-O Theo! there is Colonel
Elmer coming in-promise me not to
say world"
And she turned her flushed face
toward him, her eyes shining with
tears, her pretty mouth trembling, and
he gave the promise as he sauntered off
with his handsome military friend.
Lily went to her room, and Rex
Merle emerged from the curtains with
. smile on his face.
$50 that is the little game is it?
shall retaliate by flirting with the
charming Mrs. Clandesley. Two can
play at your game, Miss Lily, and
when l am tired Of my part will capt.
ulate at your pretty feet, and we'll see
where the laugh comes in"
OF course his thoughts were silent
ones-people never soliloquize who are
in possession of their senses-and the
young gentleman looked very delighted
as he walked toward the hotel where
the beautiful widow was staying.
Not that the mature charms of the
widow can win my heart from its allie
glance to dear little Lily, but I wish
her to appreciate my offer when I make
it. as l shall, when I am ready, despite
Colonel Elmer's attentions or the fair
Sylvia's attractions
That afternoon Mrs. Clandesley was
d unusually fascinating, and Rex stayed
longer than lie expected-so long, that
when at last he went he was Just in
time to see Colonel Elmer and Lily
Richmond driving briskly along be.
hind the Colonel's thoroughbreds.
And little appealing look on Lily
face as they exchanged mods, told him
palmer than words where her heart
was.
He lifted his hat with q careless smile
that smote the little maiden's heart like
blow, and made the Colonel compress
his lips in wrath at the puppyism OF the
fellow who dared to trifie with such q
little darling as Lily Richmond.
CHAPTER II.
The October banners of red and gold
were hung out gayly, and crisp frosti.
ness was in the air that brought warm,
glowing tints to Lily Richmond'e
cheeks, as she and Philip Elmer saun.
tered along the hale-strewn road-the
frost, or something, perhaps the earn.
estness of her escorts voice. II
1t hardly seems possible it is the
very last day, does it, Lily? What O
charming summer 1t has been-to me!
And to me as we'll. How I wish
you were not going
do you really mean that? Oh,
dare say you do, come to think of it
because have been so useful ln-"
She looked suddenly at him.
You promised never to refer to tina,
shameful arrangement of Theo's.
had hoped you would keep your prom
Use. I did not expect you to follow my
unworthy brothers example. He broke
his word to me in making such an or.
rangement."
She laid her little hand upon his arm