The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-12-09

y
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 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 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
We're his efforts to overcome it 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 il and was un-
der the strongest kind of an obligation
to keep it
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
demeanor 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
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 slxillful. but il
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 reconclled TO
her.
Two months elapsed Seemingly
| Hutchinson was determined TO main
| tain his Indifferent demeanor. Miss
/ Meadows was discouraged. She believed
that the young man did not recipro-
cate her love for him and she began TO
think that the best thing she could do
| h.. 70
be sure, he was a widower twenty
| years older than herself, and had two
| daughters, each of whom was not much
| younger than she was, but ne was also
wealthy and lived in n fine house.
Moreover, she rather liked him, and he
adored her. She might do worse than
to accept him as husband.
AT this critical time Hutchinson, un-
able longer To simulate Indifference,
resolved To tell Walters how he felt, al
though he feared that his former rival
might still love the girl much as he
himself did. When the two young men
next met Hutchinson, growing red in
the face, broached the subject that was
uppermost in his mind.
II want to ask you," he said. in a
blunt and desperate way, whether you
are willing to release me from keeping
the compact by which each of US
agreed not again to seek 10 marry Miss
Meadows? l confess that l now love
her more than | ever did. i suppose
you may love her, too ! would like TO
be free to court the girl again, and of
course If 1 had that privilege, you, too,
would again have right to show her
attentions, provided you desired so to
do. Let the better man win, l say, and
if either of us is to win we must be
lively, l tell you, for the widower is
making alarming progress in the i'm
provement OF his opportunities unless
| am much deceived"
Walters laughed as the other spoke
and looked at him in a peculiar way.
II release you from your promise.
Go ahead and may you have good
luck
| Hutchinson was much surprised.
Can it be that you are no longer in
terested in Miss Meadows?" he asked,
doubtfully.
Il am no longer interested"
May l ask the reason?"
Yes; confidentially | will tell you
that l am now in love with another
girl"
II am so glad l hope she will
reciprocate your affection and that
you will be very happy" said Hutchin-
son, as he fervently shook the hand of
his companion.
''She has already accepted me"
Good"
At two o'clock in the afternoon of
that day Mr.. Hutchinson stood before
Miss Meadows in the parlor of her
home.
Am / too late?" he asked.
mo; but you would have been one
hour from now"
What do you mean?"
AT three o'clock Mr.. Slawson Will
receive his answer"
What Will you say?"
Had you not called, my answer
would be yes"
What will it be now that 1 have
called?''
Mo-. A. Bolles, in Boston
Budget