The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1890-09-11

~ time and not know
I1]1 which to take?''
but it is true, dear. l can tmake
up my mind" and a worried look
steals over the others sweet face.
''Well, I hope you won't end by
hating them both," is the remark
Miss Ashleigh makes as she gets into
her carriage and drives awayleaving
Sara Prescott to her own thoughts.
Very gloomy and miserable those
thoughts are. She recalls with a
sense of shrinking fear, how intense
q passion for her has recently grown
to possess both Ralph Curtis and
Walter Crosbie; how each had be-
come almost aggressive of late in
his fierce request for some final an
swer to his eager hopes; and how the
more that either pleads the more alb
solute the perplexity and doubts.
Suppose they should have some
deadly quarrel on her account?
Nothing is more probable. They
have grown cordially to hate each
other; of that fact Sara feels right
sure. They are living at the same
hotel and are constantly thrown to-
gether. Sara shudd ers when she re-
members whatevidence she has had
ofhow fierce a temper each possesses.
Oh, why can she not be like other
women? Why must she suffer so
keenlyy from what seems nothing ex-
cept her own gross stupidity and
silly irresolution.
Just at this stage of Sara's
thoughts the sound of a footsten
directly behind her meets the young
girls ear. She turns, and in the
vague dark sees Walter Crosbie's tall.
commanding figure, and fair, Saxon
lace. He begins speaking with
brusque suddenness: "Sara-Miss
PRESCOTT have come to bid YOU
good-by.''
She clasped both hands together
in an abrupt burst of surprise.
You cannot possibly mean it?''
Il do. [ am tired Of bei1g played
fast and loose with from day by
day"
you arel not going" she answers
calmly, after little silence and while
they are walking on. II know by
your tones and your manners that it
is only a ruse, You are not going
until IL give you final answer
And for Gods sake,'' Waiter
bursts forth, "when is that final an.
swer coming? There are times, Sara
Prescott, when I feel like believing,
that no more heartless coquette than
yourself ever drew breath, and that
you care no more for me than YOU do
for Ralph Curtis
Pardon me. [ think heard nv
name mentioned and the owner of
the name stands before them.
Sara utters a little scream of dis
may.
How unexpected, she falters, and
then there is a silence among the trio
which lasts until Walter Crosbie
harshly breaks it.
very unexpected he exclaims,
and yet after all scarcely hopper
tune. |, for one, am glad that it has
occurred. 1t gives me at least the
opportunity Of asking you in Mr..
Curtis presence, Miss Sara, how
much longer you desire that this
masquerade shall continue. Do YOU
wish to walk home with Mr.. Curtis
or MYSELF? And then Ralph Curtis
puts in:
echo Mr.. Crosbie's question:
Whereupon poor weak Sara burst
into tears.
Please go away" she sobs bro
kenly. !" can walk home very we'll
by myself. J"
Let there be some decision y said
Ralph, addressing his rival.
eff Miss Prescott will not make it
herself it is for us TO do So
Il do not understand replies
Walter.
Ralph draws near to him.
II beg your pard Ion, !" he commences.
speaking to Sara, and then there fol-
lows between the two men an inaudi-
BILE whispered conference which she
who witnesses it watches and won
ders at. The conference continues