The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-06-23
A MISUNDERSTANDING.


The very first time he cav her be
said to hlmself: "Now. there's the girl
l should like 10 marry"
She was just his sort but i. was tho
old story Of the attraction OF opposites,
u story as old US tho hills. lie was big,
she was small he was dark, abe was
lar; no was quiet, she was lively, and
SO on, nd inGni.um. She certainly was
worry taking little girl, and che had q
pousiyo way OF couteM plating one with
her great blue eyes that was altogether
fascin,tHS. Bob uaImieigh weni
down hsfore that look like leaf before
the Wind.
Bob was not particularly clever or
amusing. or, indeed. particularly any,
;hlng but honest. Honest he was from
the crown OF bis close cropped head TO
the Eo,es Of his military boots, and as
simple-minded as child.
lie would have liket 70 take her in
those great strong arms OF his and tell
her so. but such course Of acton wss
out OF the question, Us she was engaged
to his old chum, Phil. Marsden.
Now Phil. Marsden YVES tho sort OF
man that lady noveiisIs describe us
zone OF Fortunes i2vorites." In plain
English, he vas good.lookinr, well-o1,
thorough sportsman, good hand 1T
all games, aud poruIar with mcn and
women alike. 4 lucky mortal all round,
but it never occurred TO Bob to envy
his friend until he saw Gwen y airing
ton.
Well, one summer the officers Of
Bobs regiment took it into their heads
10 give q ball. It was anal ilRre-nD
before the TIL moved into fresh quar-
tcrs, and they spared neither trouble
nor expense to make 1t q success. At
this ball Bob was introduced 10 the III.
ture Mrs. Phil Alarsdcn. and they
danced . good deal together. Bob had
Il splendid swing and Gwen wGs the
lighicst waiter u the room, go they
TeItlise clockTorE.
Gwen gave Bob more waltzes than
she rave Phil, but tho latter did not
seem TO m!rd, and that, oil course. was
rather queer state OF things. LOB
noticed it, which was remarkable, for
in an ordinary WAY his perceptions were
JUST Us blunt as are most mems.
II say, Misc Warrington" he o.
served, tentatively, as he and Gwen
went out together ye. once again. 'it's
awfully good OF ola Poll TO le, you give
me SO many dances. Shows he Isn't
selfish any way, doesn't itY'
p Gwen shrugged her shoulders, and 0
change came over her expressive face;
a change that Bob did not quito like to
SEQ.
"Sclfshr' she echoed. ''Oh! Phil is
never selfish where | am concerned, I
can assure you, Mr.. Hol usleich. He
has no desire 10 Keep me MI to him
self"
There was no obvious answer to this
speech and so Bob said nothing. As 4
matter OF fact, the situation vas just
little bit beyond him.
He saw nothing more oil either Phil or
Gwen until the autumn, and then he
ran into them at the house OF mutual
friend. where he had gone for 4 weeks
shooting. This time the idea that all
was lot right between the lovers struck
him more iorcibly than before. They
were apparently on good terms with
one another, and they never disagreed,
but Phil had lost his old genial spirits
and become moody and discontented.
lie was always either in the clouds, or
swearing Ct his luck. Gwen had
changed, too. Her manner had grown
tired and lstlcs-, and there was visit
Jul, wondering look in her eyes that il
hurt Bob 10 see.
Poor old Bob! lie could tell that
something was wrong, but he could no!
make out what II was.
A, last one day he found Gwen all by
herself in the library, crying over tho
tire, and that WAS the climax. lie never
could bear to see woman in tears. and
when it came TO the woman he loved,
Why
Miss Warrington" he said, hurried
~, "Miss Warrington, you are in trouble
Of ZONE sort Will you tell me what it
is?" Then US sho did not answer 4.
once, his hand Tell heavily on her shoul.
der, and he added, For Gods sake
don't cry"
Gwen checked her sobs with au effort
and raised her tear dlmined eyes to Ills
face.
oh! Mr.. Helmsle|gh," she e1claim-
ed, Il am in great trouble, and-and
YOU are so good and kind. II only you
could help me.
Give me . chance" Dob returned.
shortly. 'pm stupid sort OF chap.
| know; no good At tail talk. Blu. il
there's anything in the world | can do
for YOU. iii do it. Do You believe me"
"0h, yes" answered Gwen, putting
ou, her hand to him. with au impuisive
gesture, while the tears brimmcd over
aircsh.
Bob took the troubling little hand.
and held i, in strong, close clasp; i
clasp that seemed to carry help and
comfort with it. .
me hear all about il Bur don't cry.
for pity's sake, dou't cry like that.
You'll send mo mad ii you do. Come,
dry your eyes.
ATS about Phil" Gwen wont On
mopping her eyes obedlently. "Of
course, ;ra about Phil. Oh, Mr..
IIelmsleirh, you have known Phil, 60
much longer than have, and you
mus, understand him better. Can you
tell me why he is $3.50 queer with
me?"
This was somewhat OF iacer. Bob
ran his fingers through his short dark
hair and drew a deep breath.
Don. you know" he asked.
Gwen shook her head, No
well, I'm blessed ii I do" said
Bob.
Gwen wen. on in low, hurried tone.
Phil has never been TO me what
other girls lovers arc to them; but |
Ilou't know why. only wish l did.