The Banner-Democrat., 1892-12-31
pose that each Of Us shall solemnly
promise the other never again to seek
her hand in marriage"


promise the other never again to seek
her hand in marriage"
"Your proposal suits me exactly"
They shook hands earnestly and
vowed again and hgain to be faithful
20 their pledge. They were as friendly
now as they had been hostile short
time before.
Meanwhile Miss Meadows also cher
ished anger. She resolved never to
forgive either of her admirers But at
the end of a week her mood was some
what conciliatory. She reflected that
the young men must by that time real
ize that they had made fools of them
selves 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 prepared to show a gracious de-
meanor and to let bygones be bygones.
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.
1t was now her turn to be very un-
happy, especially as it was revealed to
her that she did greatly care for one OF
her former admirers, viz, Mr.. Hutchin-
son. She knew now how to decide be-
tween the two, but alas, the opportun-
ity to make such decision might never
return.
Mr.. Hutchinson also became uneasy.
He was astonished to ind how deep
his love for Lucy was and how futile
were his efforts to overcome 1t. He
bitterly regretted his pledge, but as he
himself had been the first to propose
the compact, he could blame no one
but himself for making it and was un-
der the strongest kind of an obligation
to kcepit.
The painful situation was soon fur
ther complicated by an act OF Miss
Meadows. She began to encourage
middle-aged widower named Slawson,
who had long desired to show her
marked attentions, but who had been
prevented from doing SO by her cold
dcmeanor toward him while his two
younger rivals were in favor. He was
now filed with inexpressible delight
because of the winning smiles which
the charming maiden for the first time
| bestowed upon him, and he was SO
elated because of his unexpected sue
cess that he did not stop to inquire why
she treated him with cordiality that
she had never before manifested. But
unlike the infatuated Mr. Slawson,
Lucy was not dominated by sentiment
alone. She was as wise as a serpent.
| while seeming to be as harmless as a
dove. She hoped that her gracious
| treatment of the widower would render
Mr.. Hutchinson Jealous and cause him
again to seek her society for the pur-
pose of preventing, if possible, third
admirer from winning her affections
The maneuver was skiflful. but II
only brought about part of what she
desired, and even of that part she was
ignorant. Mr.. Hutchinson was made
desperately jealous, but the agreement
| with Walters, which, of course, was
unknown to Lucy. prevented him from
endeavoring to become reconciled tc
her.
Two months elapsed. Seemingly
Hutchinson was determined to main
tain his Indifferent demeanor. Mis-
1 -
that the young man did not recipro
cate her love for him and she began tt
think that the best thing she could d.
would be to marry Mr.. Slawson. Il
be sure, he was widower twenty
wears older than herself, and bad twt
daughters, each of whom was not mucl
Younger than she was, but he was ais
wealthy and lived in a fine house
Moreover, she rather liked him, and h
adored her. She might do worse thai
to accept him as husband
At this critical time Hutchinson. un
able longer to simulate indifference
resolved to tell Walters how he felt, oil
though he feared that his former riva
might still love the girl as much as h
himself did. When the two young me-
.next met Hutchinson, growing red i
, the face, broached the subject that wa
uppermost in his mind.
II want to ask you," he said. in
blunt and desperate way, whether 70
are willing to release me from keepin
the compact by which each OF u
agreed not again to seek to marry Mis-
Meadows? / confess that now lov
/. her more than / ever did. suppos
. you may love her. too. ] would like
be free to court the girl again, and {
! course if had that privilege, You, toe
! would again have right to show he
, attentions, provided you desired SO
do. Let the better man win, say. an
! if either of us is to win we must t
j lively, l tell you, for the widower
making alarming progress in the in
provement of his opportunities, unles
am much deceived"
Walters laughed as the other spok
, and looked at him in peculiar wa,
81 release you from your promis'
Go ahead and may you have goc
luck"
Hutchinson was much surprised.
Can IL be that you are no longer II
terested in Miss Meadows?" he aske'
!. doubtfully.
II am no longer interested"
"May / ask the reason?"
"Yes; confidentially / will tell yc
that am now in love with anoth'
!. girl"
y II am so glad. ! hope she wi
reciprocate your affection and th'
you will be very happy" said Hutchi
: SON, as he fervently shook the hand !
: his companion
Z ''Shc has already accepted me-
4 ss