The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-21
Heads or Tails.

-that-I love you.''
4 Marie said nothing. but sat looking down
| at her hands, which were twisting bat
| of lace she called handkerchief. She
was smiling before began. She now look-
| ed distressed.
| do not like for Marie to look distress
ed. for she then looks as if she were going
| to cry. And crying woman IS not pref
ty. So for the minute / laid aside my own
| affair to comfort Marie.
Marie" 1 began, venturing with much
/ trepida ton TO lay my hand softly upon
1 both of hers whats the matter?'
She looked up. Her lips were quivering.
and a tear, balanced for the start, stood
| N each eye.
81 don't know what to do she whispered
brokenly.
.'Well?'' 1 said, inquir:ngiy. inviting her
to continue
She hesitated nervously for several sec
| onds. Then she went on almost inaudiby:
"You see Mr.. Transome told me last night
what you told me just now
Damn Transome," said to myself; and
TO Marie, well. Philip Transome is fine
fellow, you know"
"Of course" said Marie, acquiescing q
little too readily, L thought.
"And he's good-looking."
"Yes''
"And rich"
Yes
This itemizing rivals good points to
comfort the woman you love is rather
straining on ones generosity. It isn't so
bad If the woman rewards your generosity,
as of course she should. But Marie didn't,
| So I stopped.
| "Well, where's the trouble, then?" I ask
| ed at length.
Il don't know what to do," she replied.
repeating her former wall.
I began to see. 1t is hard to decide be-
tween two lovers. I could sympathize with
| Marie, for 1 had once been in a similar
predicament myself.
Marie did not notice the sympathy. She
merely looked uncomfortable at this bald
statement of the difficulty. But she did
not deny it.
"You ike me, don't you?" I ventured,
with some fear IN my heart.
| Marie nodded. / felt very complacent.
"And you like Philip Transome?" con-
tinued-
She nodded second time. believe I
swore at Transome again.
'But you can't decide between us. Is
that all?''
That's it." acknowledged Marie, weakly.
you have tried every way.
| "I have and 1 can't'-here Marie blush
| ed but it was blush 1 did not like, be-
cause it was for Transome as much as it
| was for me-"and 1 can't tell which of You
1 like the better
| The person who sits in the seat of the
undecided sits not easily. This I knew.
| And any decision is better than no decision.
| This also 1 knew. So out Of the sympathy
which 1 had for Maria 1 made up my mind
to help her arrive at some decision, even
though 1 lost by It, But did not intend
losing if I could help it.
| 1 thought for a long time, but nothing
came. Then 1 looked up at Maria. Her
| eyes were fixed expectantly on me, as
though she had instinctivly learned of my
intention to help her and was awaiting
my plan.
"Wen," said 1, seizing on an idea that
Just then popped into my head, "since you
have tried all other ways, suppose you
| toss up for u.s.
WHAT exclaimed Marie, half starting
from her chair.
''Toss up for u.s. repeated calmly
Marie sank back in her chair and gazed
at me in amazement.
Mar.e's surprise at my suggestion anger
ed me somewhat. OF course / can under
stand that choosing a husband in such a
way may seem little queer TO some girls.
But they needn't act as though ii were
SO unusual. Besides, there are worse ways
'"Toss up for your Marie managed TO
! gasp out al length.
Certainly" replied with some asperity.
''Have you anything better to suggest?"
A reluctant NO came from Marie.
you'd better toss up, them said. de-
csively, drawing quarter from one OF
my pockets and offering it to her.
She took 1t and gazed at it for long
time. 1 began to grow impatient, for the
coin was like any other of its kind, and ]
could see no reason why she should study
It, Then 1 saw that her look was the
look Of one who is thinking. Suddenly she
raised her head and gazed steadily at me
And then a smile that / liked strangely
we'll slowly came into her eyes.
''No. you do it, she said, returning the
coin. 'I don't know how"
We both stood up. Heads, it is Tran.
some; tails, it is I?' 1 suggested briefly.
Marie nodded.
1 balanced the coin on my first finger
felt sure of the result. for the man never
lived who Is as lucky as 1 am. 1 even be.
gan to pity poor Transome. But before this
/ Tipped the quarter whrling into the air
and, as it struck the floor, placed my foo
upon it.
1 looked at Marie. Which shall 1t ber
I asked softly.
YOU" she whispered.
I slipped my foot aside and we botl
stopped. The laurel-wreathed head o.
Liberty was up.
1t was Transome!
We both Strengthened up. looked a
Marie and Marie looked at me. She wa:
pale, and l could not have been otherwise
| 1 had rlsked all on the turn ot a coin-anC
it had turned the wrong way. Without ;
word, for 1 was not wise IN the ways o.
woman, / walked out OF the room secured
my hat in the hail. and started to opeI
the door and go out into the street.
AS my hand was turning the knob some
thing touched my arm. I turned and look
ed around. There stood Marie. with Lit
tie smile-a little beseeching smile-on he
face.
Dick" she whispered, and then was 81
lent. stlrl held on to the door knob.
"Dick'-this time the smile was stil
more besesching-"can't you see? It's
it's you, anyhow
1 saw, and my hand left the door-knob
And in the little excitement that followe,
! also may have kissed Marie Such thing
have happenei.-Leroy VI. Scott, in 81
Louis Globe-Democrat.
. Tale of an Attentster.
According 20 the New York Tribune,
u-NErl