The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-12-09
A RIDICULOUS MUDDLE.
How 1t Came Near Separating
Two Loving Hearts


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 exciting.
| 1t is scarcely necessary to say that
Lucy was like most other girls and en-
| joyed the excitement At heart she
| was an honest maiden, but she was ad-
| dicted to harmless Irritation. She gave
each suitor little encouragement, but
| not too much, and excused her conduct
on the ground that she did not yet
I 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 look
| ing, each could make himself quite
agreeable. each had average intelli-
| gence, each had good business and
attended TO it in a commendable man
ner, and neither had any glaringly bad
habits. BY anxious mothers and pru-
| dent 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
/
| and regarded each other with jealous
| eyes whenever they met But fate had
| decreed that their charmer also should
| have her feelings not slightly disturbed
| after she had for some time contributed
to their torment without any compunc-
| tions of conscience.
| Her punishment was meted out 70
| her one winter evening. She had been
to the theater with Jacob Walters, the
! suitor who at that time was to a small
! extent more in favor than his rival
! The couple were strolling along watch
| ing for a horse car on which they could
| ride 10 Lucy's home. While they were
| chatting to their mutual satisfaction
they became involved in a jostling
! crowd that was pouring out of another
| theater. The girl became separated
from Mr.. Walters, and hurrying for
ward in search of him in the indistinct
| light, found him, as she supposed, and
| linked her arm in his with that confid
ing and affectionate touch which men
| like To receive from those whom they
| adore. She walked contentedly in ST.
| lence 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
|
cob Walters. but John Hutchinson, her
other admirer.
''Oh, excuse me; l did not mean 70.
! /"
mo excuse is needed. am delight
ed, assure YOU" replied Hutchinson.
who had concluded from the charming
: manner in which she had attached her
! self To him that she intended at last TO
show a marked preference for him.
'Oh, what shall do. How shall eX
plain my conduct?" she continued, not
needing his words.
mo explanation is necessary. Tell
me-" and he bent over her eagerly,
were you not about to reward my de-
votion when you were frightened by
your own boldness- Oh. tell me there
is hope,"
lie attempted to place her arm in his
and 10 walk as they had done when
| they met.
"You must not; you do not under
stand" she cried. as with desperate
effort she extricated herself from hi
grasp.
What does all this mean2'' was the
inquiry in excited tones
Jacob Walters was again by her side
after an anxious search.
The rivals glared at each otner.
''It is none of your business" shout
ed Hutchinson, who proposed TO show
his sweetheart how doughty a 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 extended her
hands toward Walters
| Il = 81. = 81 4,
dreadful mistake"
DO you suppose / am fool? You
deserted me To go to my rival when you
were bound by every rule of politeness
to allow me to escort you home. Your
conduct is amazing"
Your language is amazing, also.
desire you to understand that / shall
protect this young lady from insult, y
said Hutchinson with dignity
Lucy turned toward him and said: 81
beg of Won TO keep still. You do not
know what you are talking about"
Please enlighten me, then"
"Mr. Walters was escorting me home
from the theater; we became separated
in the crowd just before ! met you.
searched for him and when / took youI
arm thought you were he. You were
the last person whom / desired TO sc,
under the circumstances"
Thank you, l shall endeavor u
avoid meet you hereafter"
Lucy saw her mistake, but knew mo-
how to rectify it. Her intentions wer,
good. but in her confused attempt u
make satisfactory explanation sh,
had been guilty of n woeful lack of tact
Naturally at this disagreeable momen
she turned to her other lover for sym
pathy.
You at least must understand th'
situation and must know that l am no
TO blame" she cried, in appealin.
tones.
Il am not satisfied" he replied
gloomily.
Out of patience she exclaimed: "Yor
are both so stupid! / shall ask no NOR
favors of either of you"
She stepped into the street, and be
fore they could recover from their sur
prise a passing horse car was carryin.
her from them
What do you think?" asked Hutch
inson.
$50 do l.
''She has tried to hoodwink both O
us Whatever had been our difference
in the past, we have a common caus
now. 1t Is incum bent on both of us I
assert our dignity, and To show her N
attention in the future except what tn
most formal politeness requires"
II agree with you; and further pre-
pose that each of us shall solemnlN
promise the other never again to seel
her hand in marriage"
Your proposal suits me exactly
They shook hands earnestly an'
vowed again and again To be faithful
"a their pledge. They were as friendl.
now as they had been hostile shor
time before.