The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-10-13
ANOTHER FELLOWS GIRL
How Godfrey Halkett Was Cured
of His One Failing.

kctt by nafne-Ot Few talllngs, out cnlc1
among them was the ineradicablc con-
viction that he understood the inner
most workings of the mind of girl
"A clever beggar once knew" he
explained one night to his old intimate,
Paddon-"in fact, about the clcverest
beggar ever did know--once said to
me: If you know one thing thoroughly
you hold the key to everything 1t
didn't strike me particularly at the
time. had no reason for testing it,
but it's awfully true, Jim. can see it
nQv."
1t was in Jim Paddon's rooms in
Gray's inn that this sententious remark
was uttered. Jim Paddon was at the
moment keenly interested in wonder
ing whether the cork of a soda water
bottle would come out easily, like q
tooth with gas, or would require eN-
tracing with wrench. The gas
gained the day.
"Wcll," he said, content now to daily
with trivialities, 'and what If it is?'
"Well, I'll tell you. Sometimes this
knowledge is very useful to you, and
sometimes-well, it's just amusing. l
don't think I'm particularly conccited,
but flatter myself that have always
had knack of understanding girls. 1t
isn't thing a man cares to talk about
much. In the first place ninety-ninc
people out of a hundred would put
anyone down as fool who said this
possibly, l am rather feminiEely
minded. In any case, often used to
think I could see things from their
point of view better than most fellows
and argue their cases in their own way.
Now, since I have thoroughly under
stood one girl, know / can do this.
And what is the consequence? Why,
they never astonish me now"
Paddon took his pipe from his mouth
and attempted to realize an old ambi-
ton, and blow q second smoke ring
through a first.
my experience" he said, when fail
ure tripped HIM up remorselessly, 'is
that they vary too much. No two are
alike and they always get mixed up,
and to try to put them right is the
worst of all" Whether he was alluding
to smoke rings or girls was not very
clear.
Look here, old fellow" he said,
you've either had one whisky too
many or too few"
Paddon adoptedOthe only course open
to him.
who's the poor girl you've expert
mented on? Do know her?"
"Thats rather brutal way of put
ting it, but l suppose it's Kate"
Then" said Paddon, isn't it almost
a pity that you are not going to marry
her instead of me-"
Halkett smiled. lie was not "a mar
rying man.
When next the two friends met it
was at the homo of Kate Temple, the
maiden who, after being analysed by
one man, had perversely fallen in love
with another. Halkett, too philosoph-
ical to be jealous had only found in
the circumstance of her preference for
his friend further proof of the we'll
known law that ideals must be low
cred half-mast high when science passes
by. In short, he liked her still, but his
attitude now might best be described as
one of slightly contemptuous sympathy.
The circumstances under which they
all met were now rather depressing.
James Paddon had many weaknesses,
and one of them had just attained an
alarming prominence, Sir McDermott
Ballarat, who doubled the parts of emf
nent specialist and family friend to the
Temples (for Kate had one incum-
brance-she was garrisoned round
about by maiden aunt with fads), had
just discovered that his dear young
friend Paddon possessed only one lung
instead of the normal number, and that
that interesting relic must on no ac-
count be allowed to winter In England.
1t was now September The young
man might take his lung to Davos
Platz or to Colorado, but he must be off
without delay.
Halkett, like most people, was at his
best In emergencies. The one cheering
fact to the Temples on this last de-
pressing evening was his quiet an
nouncement to Kate that If jim liked
he would 90 with him and look after
him. He had previously arranged it all
with Paddon, who was pleased. This
almost reconciled Kate to her lovers
going to the further country. Jim Pad
don did not feel i'll, he said, whereas if
he went to a place haunted by invalids
he would grow worse out of sympathy.
The good-bys that night were said
in chapters. Geoffrey Halkctt left first
and Kate's eyes were eloquent when
she thanked him. She did not say
much, but he was satisfied. 1t was ut
that moment that the eminently femi-
nine thought occurred to her: what d
pity Godfrey should not marry some
nice girl" Then old Mrs Temple said
good-by to all and discreetly left the
lovers to settle the rest This look two
hours and three-quarters during which
time Geo frey leaned against q lamp
post smoking and thinking it rather a
pity that Kate's eyes should be wasted
on Jim. lie was aroused by jim rush
ing down the steps, almost knocking
him down and swearing at him. They
walked to London that night, by way
of getting up strength for the journey.
The next day they started.
RusltiL, who advocated once period