Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-04-14
A MODERN PROTEUS.
BY KATE KAUFMAN.

coaraged gossip in her art classes
But Miss Reid loved romances, and,
like all such persons, was apt to De
the recipient of tender condolences.
She was 35 and unmarried, but she
enioyed the indemnity OF boastlng
that she had had good chances. Alas,
in these cases her heart was not touch
ed. When her heart was touched,
cruel fate opposed. Such is life.
Among Miss Reid's pupils was
Alice Niles, who came from town 20
miles away, once a week, to take a
painting lesson. In the same place
with Miss Reid lived her young
friend Lucille Barr. Lucille and Alice
we're both beautiful and % years old.
Naturally, they had many love stor-
les with which to thrill Miss Reid's
sentimental soul.
Alice was reserved, and talked OF
her affairs cautiously. Lucille was
reckless, impulsive, inclined to blab
and liked to tell a pointed anecdote,
regardless to consequences.
One day as Alice and Miss Reid sat
working at their easels the teacher
said: "Luclle has lover. He is ex-
tremely devoted and ardent. He lives
In New York, is connected with one
of the newspapers there, gets large
salary. He met her when she was
visiting up the country, though l
can't tell how that happened.
The next week she had another an
nouncement: Lucile's lover has been
to see her. They went to see Bern,
hardts Cleopatra he gave her q
gold souvenir-spoon, and an orna-
ment for her hair. She tells me that
he writes her passionate love-letters.
So 1t was, week after week, till the
course of the affair was completely
sketched, and then Alice said, demur.
ely:
"Miss Reid what would you think
if | told you that Lucile's lover had
made love to me, too?'
"When?" asked Miss Reid.
"Just exactly the same time that he
has made love to her!"
You don't say gasped Miss Reid,
and then asked suddenly: "Do you
like him?"
IL did-for a WHILE" confessed
Alice, blushing, "but you innocently
disclosed his Irritation with Lucille,
and that cured me"
"Lucile must know this said Miss
Reid, decidedly: 81 will tell her this
week, and make an appointment fol
her to meet you when you take your
next lesson.
Lucille was amazed at Miss Reid
news and in minute she was red hot.
1t is useless to analyze the state O.
her mind or describe her expressions
When the time came for the rivals
to meet, they first exchanged look o
embarrassment and then burst ou
laughing.
Il suspected that he liked you a
soon as l found you were acquainted,
said Lucille; .but he said: No; Mis-
Miles is worthy young woman; ap
preciate her, but she is not girl
could love-"
"And | accused him of flirting will
you,'' said Alice; ''in fact proved t.
him that | knew it. He couldn't deny
so he said: Yes, 1t is only Irritation
she wrote me the first letter, and il
every thing else challenged me to it. y
"Oh, the rascal"
"What villian!'
"I never wrote the first letter.
can show you his begging me to cor
respond"
II never should have noticed him,
said Alice, she always said he fell i
love at first sight. He acted as if h
did. He asked for an introduction
and began to call and ask to take m
places"
"He sent me flowers before l ha
known him a week."
He proposed to me two weeks afte
we met' :
"Ah, Alice" said Lucille, affection
ately, Il felt little hard toward yo
once, because 1 thought you had infu
enced Charlie against me. Butif | ha
known!"
sI did tell him that he could nj
make love to you and me at once. H
must choose between u.s."
"And what did be do?'
"He pretended to choose me-"
"What that he visited Obi
two months ago?"
Eyes"
"That accounts for his going bac
without coming to see me. Sent
telegram Sudden business.
"Oh, the scoundrelP'
"What a scamp!"
''Only one month ago he came
see me, and took a roll of bills out {
his pocket. 1t was $500. He sale
Lucille, marry me; marry me tonlgh
and we'll go to Europe | saic
Charley, can't; l haven't any dres
es for New York or Paris.
"Only one month ago he came
see me, and he took from his pocket
pistol and said: 'Alice marry m
marry me tonight or I'll blow n
brains outl
"He said he never loved any OF
but me-"
"He told me was the first and on
girl to whom he ever proposed
sfTwo weeks ago he wrote sayinj