The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1892-12-16
ly now as they had been hostile a
short time hefOre

to forgive other OF her admirers.
But at the end Of week her mood
was somewhat conclliatory. She re-
hected that tho young mon must by
that time realize that they had made
fools OF themselves and that she had
done nothing Of which she need be
ashamed She expected that they
would soon seek her presence In a
sheepish manner and she was pre-
pared to show q gracious demeanor
and to lot bygones be- bygonea But
weeks went by and they did not call.
She met them several times and they
hurried by her and returned her
greetings with cold. formal bows
only. II was now her turn to DO very
unhappy. especially Us It was revealed
to her that she did greatly care for
one OF her former admirers vix.,
Mr. Hutchinson She know now how
to decide between the two, but alas.
the opportunity to make such a
decision might never return.
Mr.. Hutchinson also became uneasy,
He was astonished TO find how deep
his love for Lucy was and how futile
were his efforts to overcome it. He
bitterly regretted his pledge but as no
himself had been tho first to propose
the compact he could blame no one
but himself for making 1t and was un-
der the strongest kind OF an obliga-
tion TO keep It. a.,
The painful situation was soon
further complicated by an act OF Miss
Meadows She began to encourage
middlo-aged widowcr named Slaw-
son. who had long desired to show
/ her marked attentions but who had
been prevented from doing so by her
cold demeanor toward him while his
two younger rivals were In favor.
Ho WINS now filed with inoxpressible
delight because OF the winning smiles
which the charming maiden for the
first time bestowed upon him. and h o
was 80 elated because OF his unex-
pected success that he did not stop to
inquire why she treated him with n
cordially that she had never before
manifested. But unlike the infat-
uated Mr. Slawson. Lucy was not
dominated by sentiment alone. She
was MS wise as serpent while seem
ing to be as harmless ms n dove. She
hoped that her gracious treatment of
the widower would render Mr. Hutch
inson jealous aud cause him again to
seek her society for the purpose of
preventing, II possible, third nd
mirer from winning hcr affections.
The manpuvre was skillful. but IL
only brought about a part OF what she
desired and even OF that part she was
ignorant Mr. Hutchinson was made
desperately jealous but tho agree.
mont with Walters which. OF course.
was unknown to Lucy prevented him
from endcavoring to become recon.
ciled to her
Two months elapsed. Seemingly
Hutchinson was determined to main.
tain his indifferent dcmeanor. Miss
Meadows was discouraged. She bo.
lieved that the young man did not
rcciprocate her love FOR him and she
began TO think that tho best thing she
could do would be to marry Mr. Slaw.
son. To be sure hc was widowor
20 years older than herself and hnd
two daughters each OF whom was not
much younger than she was but he
Was also wealthy and lived In lno
house. Moreover she rather liked
him and he adorcd her She might
do worse than to accept him as hus-
band.
At this critical time Hutchinson.
unable longer TO simulate indifIer-
cnce resolved to tell Walters how he
felt although he feared that his for
mcr rival might still love tho girl Ms
much as no himself did. Whom the
two young men next met Hutchinson,
growing red In the face PREACHED
the subject that was upperuiost In
his mind
Il want to ask you he said In n
blunt aud desperate way. whether
YOU arc willing 10 release mo from
keeping tho compact by which each
OF us agreed not again to seek to
marry Miss Mcadows' / confess
that ] now love her more than | ever
did. suppose you may love hor
too. ] would like TO DO FREQ TO
court the girl again and OF course II
] Ind that privilege you too would
again have n right to show her at.
tcntions provided you desired so TO
do Let tho better man win | say.
and II either OF us is 10 win we must
DO lively. toll you. for the widowcr
is making alarming progress In tho
improvement of his opportunities
unless | am much deceived.
Walters laughed MS tho other
Z GtntF.. laAkAI a. la,
liar wny.
Il release you from your promise.
Go ahead and may you have good
luck"
Hutchinson was much surprised.
Can II DO that you arc no longer
Interested In Miss Meadows2' hc
asked doubtfully.
Il nm no longer Interested"
MAY ask tho roasonP"
''Yes; coniidon,inlly will toll you
that am now In loyo with another
girl. ~
II am 80 glad. hope sho viii
roclprocnto your affection and that
you will 30 very happy" snid Hutch
inson. Ms he icrvontly shook tho hand
OF his companion.
she hn, already accepted mo"
Good
A, . o'clock In tho afternoon OF
that day Mr., Hutchinson stood beside
Miss Meadows In the parlor OF her
home.
Am too .a,o3n no nskod
NO, bu, you would have been one
hour from now.
What do you mcnnP"
AT = o'clock Mr. slawson will no.
coiyo his answer"
What Will you sny7'
Had you not called. my answer
would be yos"
What will II be now that have
cnllcdp"