The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-12-16
miscellaneous.
A RIDICULOUS MIDDLE.

Miss Lucy Meadows had two ad-
mirers, each of whom endeavored to
court her while the other tried TO do
the same thing. The experience is
not uncommon, but it is always eX-
citing.
1t is scarcely necessary to say that
Lucy was like most other girls and
enjoyed the excitement. At heart
she was an honest maiden, but she
was addicted to harmless filtration.
She gave each sutton a little encour-
agement. but not too much, and eX-
cused her conduct on the ground that
she did not yet know which she liked
the better.
In fairness to our heroine it must
be confessed that her excuse was not
bad one, for her admirers happened
to be as nearly equally desirable as
they could be. Each was fairly good,
looking, each could make himself
quite agreeable, each had average in
telligence, each had a good business
and attended to it in a commendable
manner, and neither had any glaring
ly bad habits. By anxions mothers
and prudent fathers they were both
considered good catches for daughters.
To the young men the double court
ship was not SO pleasant as it was to
Lucy. They were often on the ten
tiers and regarded each other with
jealous eyes whenever they met. But
fate had decreed that their charmer
also should have her feelings not slight
ly disturbed after she had contributed
for some time to their torment with
out any computations of conscience.
Her punishment was meted out to
hnr
been to the theatre with Jacob Wal
tiers, the sutton who at that time was
to small extern more in favor than
his rival. The couple were strolling
along watching for IL horse car on
which they could ride to Lucy home.
While they were chatting to their
mutual satisfaction they became in
volved in a jostling crowd that was
pouring out o. another theatre. The
girl became separated from Mr.. Wal
tiers, and hurrying forward in search
of him in the indistinct light, found
him, as she supposed, and linked her
arm in his with that confiding and af
| fectionate touch which men like to
receive from those whom they adore.
| She walked contentedly in silence for
about a minute, when for the first time
! she raised her eyes to the face of her
escort. She gave little scream and
| quickly drew her arm from that of her
companion. He was not Jacob Wal
tiers, but John Hutchinson, her other
admirer.
"Oh, excuse me; did not mean to.
| L"
| mo excuse is needed. lam delight
| ed, assure you, replied Hutchinson,
who had concluded from the charm
| ing manner in which she had attach
| ed herself to him that she intended
! at last to show IL marked preference
| for him.
ooh, what shall do! How shall l
explain my conduct - she continued.
not needing his words.
! mo explanation is necessary. Tell
me,n and he bent over her eagerly,
"were you not about to reward my de-
yotion when you were frightened by
your own boldness. Oh, tell me there
is HOPPER
He attempted to place her arm in
his and to walk as they had doue
when they net.
| you must not you do not under
stand" she cried, as with desperate
| effort she extricated herself from his
| grasp.
"What does all this mean % was the
| inquiry in excited tones.
! Jacob Walters was again by her side
! after an anxious search.
The rivals glared at each other
sit is none OF yo':r business" shout
| ed Hutchinson, who proposed to show
his sweetheart how doughty cham
pion he could be.
"You must not quarrel, exclaimed
| the girl as she ran between the angry
men. Overwhelmed with distress,
and confused in her mind, she extend
ed her hands towards Walters.
"Forgive me-" she cried. at Is all
a dreadful mistake
do you suppose / am fool? You
deserted me to go to my rival when
you were bound by every rule of po-
likeness to allow me to escort you
home. Your conduct is amazing"
"Your language is amazing, also. |
| desire you to understand that l shall
! protect this young lady from insult"
| said Hutchinson with dignity.
Lucy turned toward him and said
81 beg of you to keep still. You do
not know what you are talking
about"
please enlighten me, them
| "Mr. Walters was escorting me
| HOLLIS lTOIu tIlo GllcdITc we DoCdlHe
separated in the crowd just before |
met you. l searched for him and
when took your arm I thought you
| were he. You were the last person
whom desired to see under such cir
cumstances.
THANK you. l shall endeavor to
avoid meeting you hereafter"
Lucy saw her mistake, but knew
not how to rectify it. Her inten ions
were good, but in hei confused at
tempt TO make a satisfactory explana
ton she had been guilty of a woeful
lack of tact. Naturally at this dis
agreeable moment she turned to her
other lover for sympathy.
You at least must understand the
situation and must know that | am