The Colored citizen., 1894-10-29
A COMPLICATION.

Bob Helmsleigh went down before that
look like . leaf before the wind.
Now, Phil Marsden was the sort OF a
man that lady uoyelists describe as zone
Of fortunes favorites" " A lucky mortal
all round, but 10 never occurred to Pob 20
envy his friend until he saw Gwen War
ringtOn.
The officers OF Bob's regiment took it
into their heads to give ball It was 81
this hall that Bob was introduced to tho
future Mrs Phil Msrsden, and they danced
a good deal together. Gwen gave Bob
more waltzes than she gave Phil but the
latter did not seem 10 mind, and that, OF
course, was rather queer state OF things
Bob noticed It.
He saw nothing more Of either Phil or
Gwen until the autumn, and then he ran
into them at the house Of friend. This
time the idea that all was not right be-
tween the lovers struck him more forcibly
than before.
Ono day he found Gwen in the library
crying. He never could bear 10 see wOm-
an in tears, aud when it came TO the wom.
an he loved, why
Miss Warrington, he said hurriedly
Miss Warrington, you are in trouble ot
some sort. VIII you tell me what ii is!"
oh, Mr.. Heimsleigh, she exclaimed
Il am In great trouble, and-and you are
so good and kind II only you could help
me!n
"Give me chance" Bob returned
shortly. Il am a stupid sort of chap,
know, but u there's anything in the world
1 car 90 for you I'll do It. Do you be
lieve met"
''It's about Phil" said Gwen, mop.
ping her eyes obediently. "Of course, it :
about Phil. Oh, Mr. Helmslcigh, you
have known Phil so much longer than
have, and you must understand him bet.
teri Can you tell me why he Is 500
queer with mes"
This was somewhat of a faoer.
'Don't you know?" he asked.
Gwen shook her head and then went on
in low, hurried tone:
Phil has never been TO me what other
girls lovers are to them, but don't know
why. He seemed fond enough Of me be-
fore we were engaged, but now-well, the
whole thing is a miserable failure, and it
gets worse"
Her voice broke with pathetic little
Eie looked down at the childish, forlorr
figure and felt wild impulse 70 take II
In his arms. But he restrained the I'm
pulse somehow.
SWELL" he said as quietly as he could,
''it's riddle, isn't iti Old Phil must he
Q lunatic-nothing less than lunatic."
NO." Gwen answered sadly, "he is not
a lunatic-far from it-but there Is some
thing don't understand" She looked up
at Bob again and laid her hand gently on
his arm. Such O pretty little handl 1t
looked like snowflake on his rough coat
sleeve. "willyou do something for me''
abe asked.
Bob turned his head away, for he dared
not meet her eyes just then.
But he took hold Of her hand and
squeezed 1t hard.
Anything" he said.
Then" Gwen went on, ''try to find
out from Phil what 1t Is that has come be-
tween u.s. VIII you try"
Yes" said Bob.
That very evening he broached the sub
ject 10 Phil. 1t was rather big fence to
tackle, but he shut his eyes and rode hard
at IL, going straight to the point Phil
hesitated little at first, but In the end
he told the truth.
You see, old chap" he said, ''it's like
this: The whole affair is q ghastly mis-.
take all through. never proposed to
Gwen at all. "
Bob gave q great start
You never proposed to her at all!' he
echoed. Then how, In heavens name.
did you get engagedf'
swell" said Phil, addressing himself
to the fire, st happened in this way: i
met Gwen. She took my fancy awfully
at first, and seemed to take hers, so we
started Irritation, and that worked all
right until her sister Lily appeared upon
the scene. When saw her-Lily, l mean
II knew / was done for. She's--she' s
different from other girls somehow.
Well, ] soon made up my mind TO ask her
to marry me, but I was bit shy about il,
and, like fool, before speaking to her, I
thought would try and find out from
Gwen II there was chance for me.
mentioned IL TO her one evening and tried
to get her to put in good word for me,
but / must have made an idiot OF myself,
for, to my horror. she thought was pro-
posing to her and before knew where /
was she had accepted me. I've behaved
like fool and a scoundrel all round, and
the worst OF it Is no one is satisfied. i
am miserable, so is Gwen, and so is Lily
and all through a misunderstanding.
Now, what would you do IL you were in
my place''
Bob thrust his hands deep in his pock.
cts.
TELL the truth, he answered tersely.
"If thought Gwen had given up car.
ing for me, I'd tell her fast enough, Phil
pjoined, but don't think she has, and
and how can tell her' No, hang IL all,
can't!"
Bob was silent for moment or two
Tell you what il is" he said at last,
Miss Warrington has plenty of pluck,
and she's as straight as they make 'em.
You ought TO be straight with her Phil.
Ii seems TO me that the more she cares foi
you the more right she has TO know the
truth"
The story Is quite an old one now. II
all happened last year, and Phil and Lily
are going to be married next month.
And the others'
Well, IL was only one day last week that
Bob said suddenly to Gwen:
Il say, do you remember what happened
. year ago today"
And Gwen flushed a little ss she an.