The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-10-03

OA9 j W. AA~VSs " SAAy j W. " 9S"So
one'" he ret0rted'
Those dear people who formerly
lived in Arcadia successfully ellmina'
ted pain and jealousy and rivalry-at
least judging from their own accounts;
they doubtless lied q bit about it. For
in my own experience I am bound to
say that there may be drawbacks, even
to Arcadia. My consciousness Of
flaw in the place began when l saw
that Tommie was absorbing rather too
much of her attention. I felt at first
that she was but leading him on, and
then I began to have some grave sus-
picions, which, in the light Of subse.
quent experience, may indeed have
been founded on mere jealousy. Yes,
I will say I was jealous. I thought in
beginning this veracious account that
I might we'll leave the solution I'm.
given-like the famous riddle of the
lady and the tiger. OF our two sys'
TENS of tactics, which was the more
likely to win with q girl like Rose Bur-
ton? If Tommie at times had the bet
ter, there were other days when I
seemed to be more in her favor. Once
I accused him Of using my batteries,
of not playing fair, when he retorted
that had known him long enough to
trust him.
"You never can trust even your own
best friend when there's q woman in
the case.
"Fletcher," said Tommie gravely at
this, ''that ancient saying is gospel
truth"
From that moment felt that it was
not fair test case; but, indeed, I had
ended by not caring fig about the
test. I wanted to win.
Now. one day the climax of the stu
alton was reached in thiswi I heard
she had gone wheeling by herself.
That, of course, was chance. pre-
pared to follow, when who should ap-
pear but Tommie.
(Which way?" he asked.
II was thinking of following,
hem"
$50 was l." he said.
cts ridiculous for us both to follow
her," I observed.
"Yes, it is; but I'm not inclined to
turn back, for"
"Nor l." said Tommie, quietly.
'It's fair to leave it to the wheels.
The one who overtakes her first"
GAIL right" said I.
And then began that contest
which certain Tartar tribe conduct
more regularly-a chase for woman.
Up and down hill we scorched; now I
before-now Tommie. But it was
oftener Tommy before than I. He
drew away from me, until in sheer
spite at my luck and him, I gave it
up, dismounted and wandered drea,ily
enough into the woods and threw my
self down; and then fell to laughing,
when I heard voices-her's and Tom.
mics. I declare I couldn't avoid
hearing them.
"Ab, 1 have been chasing a thief"
he was saying.
''Will you never stop teasing me?"
she cried. That remark semed to
show that he had been playing fair
after ell.
"Will you keep my heart which You
stole"
"That's q very silly Speech" she
said. I thought. so, too. "Besides,
it was Wheel" she added.
''No, it was the other essential to q
| mans comfort.
SWELL, if you'll have it so," she
said.
As for me, I turned away. They
didn't notice me. In the evening I
ventured to say to her:
"Ah, I've been oongratulating
Tommie."
.'He told you?" she said, turning
| very red.
"Ah, yes" I 6bbed. "You know I
thought you thought him-well,
| rather disagreeable?"
II did-at first. But, you know I
believe that was the reason I thought
so much about him that" She
paused in confusion.
"Then it's true that] you can make
more of an impression on a girl by be-.
ing disagreeable to her than by aa:ter.
ing herr"
"Oh, I don't know" she said.