Middletown transcript., 1894-09-08

~ shipwreck
'.SS.TS& lives that othe
smoothly enough into the haven wher
they would be.
This is the story of misunderstood
ing.
n n
The very first time he saw her h
said to himself: 'Now there's the gil
should like to marry"
She was just his sort, but it was the
old story of the attraction of opposites,
story as old as the bills. He was big
she was small; he was dark, she wa
fair; he was quiet, she was lively: ant
SO on, adinfnitum. She certainly was
very taking little girl, and she had ;
pensive way of contemplating on,
With her great blue eyes that wer,
altogether fascinating. Bob HemsIeiet
went down before that look like leat
before the wind.
Bob was not particularly clever Of
amusing, or, indeed, particularly any,
thing but honest. Honest he was
from the crown of his close-cropped
head to the soles of his military boots,
and as simple minded as a child,
Hitherto he had never been in earnest
about woman, but he was in earnest
now. and it was a sober, solemn, down
right earnest. Henceforth there would
be bus one woman in the world for
him.
He woald have liked to take her in
those great strong arms of his
and tell her so, but such a course of
action was out of the question, for she
was engaged to his old chum, Phil
Marsden.
Now Phil Marsden was the sort of a
man that lady novelists describe as
''One of the fortunes favorites. In
plain English, he was good looking,
well off, a thorough sportmen, good
hand at all games and popular with
men and women alike. A lucky NOR
tai all around, but it never occurred
to Bob to envy his friend until be saw
Gwen Warrington Then new
stran ge feeling stirred in Bob's honest
heart. 1t was not exactly Jealousy,
but rather wistful, patient wonder
why one fellow should have all the
lack and everything else, while other
fellows were left out in the cold.
Well, one summer the officers of
BOb's regiment took it into their heads
to give ball. Itwas final fare-up
before-th moved into fresh quar-
ters ard they spared neitter trouble nor
expense 10 make it "a success. AT the
ball Bob was introduced to the future
Mrs. Phil Marsden, and they danced
good deal together. Bob had splendid
SWING, and Gwen was the lightest
waltzer in the room, so they went like
clockwork.
Gwen gave Bob more waltzes than
she gave Phil, but the latter did not |
seem to mind, and that, of course was
'ather a queer state of things. Bob |
noticed it, which was remarkable, for
n an ordinary way his perceptions
we're just as blunt as most mems.
II say, Miss Warrington,' he OBJ
erved tentatively, ,as he and G wen went
,ut together yet once again, sits
swfully good of old Phil to let you
rive me SO many dances. Shows he
sn't selfish in any way, dosen't it?
Gwen shrugged her shoulders and
hange came over her expressive face;
change that Bob did not quite like
o see
''Selfish!' she echoed. "Ohl Phil is
lever selfish where 1 am concerned, l
an assure you Mr.. Helmsleigh. He
as no desire to keep me all to himself.
There was no obvious answer to this
peech, and so Bob said nothing. AS
matter of fact, the situation was just
little bit beyond him.
He thought of Ovens words after
7erd, though, and Of the family bitter
,ne in which they were uttered. but he
id not venture to broach the subject
gain. 1t was ticklish ground.
He saw nothing more of either Phil
r Gwen until the autumn, and then
u ran into them at the house of
MUTUAL friend, where he had gone for
week shooting. This time the idea
nat all was not right between the
,vers struck him more fOrcible than
efore. They we're apparently on good
rms with one another, and they
ever disagreed, but Phil had lost hi
Id genial spirits and became moody
nd discontented. He was always either
clouds or swearing at his luck.
wen had changed, TOO. her manner
ad grown tired and listless, and there
as wistful, wondering look in her
YES that it hurt Bob to see.
Poor old Bob he could tell that
was wrong, but he could
OF make out what it was, though he
uzzIed that honest head of his until
, thought he was going to have brain
.ver. The new look in Owens eyes
aunted him. 1t was always in his
loughts in the day time, and it kept
Im awake at night. He felt impelled 9
, do 80 something-but what9 That was
le question.
At last one day he found Gwen all
= herself in the library, crying over
,e fi.e, and that was the climax. He
aver could bear to see woman in
ars. and when it came to the woman
, loved. Why
Miss Warrington, he said hur-
edIy, miss Warrington, are you
trouble Of some sortP Will you tell
t.t - ;s2 Than n che did not an.