The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-20
JUST AN ORDINARY IAN,

$500 %ANA WA q hAAI ANAAbN ~ 49,
girls were agreed, but that he was also
superhuously egotistical they were
entirely unanimous,
The girls had brought out a lot of
rugs and sofa-plllows and were sitting
on the front steps one night during the
last warm spell, watching the bobblng,
vari-colored lights of the passing bicy-
clers, when Fred happened along and
stopped, leaning his wheel against the
fence and appropriating the' softest
sofa-pilloW and the incest rug before
seating himself on the steps at their
feet.
II was a nice evening, the girls were
In a pleasant mood and the CONVERSE
ton had drifted along until Fred, un-
burdening his heart OF the several pet
grievances which one reserves for such
occasions. had got into dangerous
channels.
Why didn't you marry Grace, any
way?" asked Elizabeth, solicitously, as
Fred endedIa long tale of heart-break-
lng experiences with a sorrowful sigh.
she was such a nice girl and we all
thought II was going Ia be a match"
"W-e-l-l," commenced Fred, thought
fully, gazing quizzically at the red light
OF his wheel lamp, lyon see she wasn't
Just exactly my style. Too sentimental,
you know, She was one of these
dreamy, ethereal girls with a far-away
look In her eyes, and l don't like that
style"
"oh-h," said Jeanette, In an ag-
grleved tone, smiling archly upon him,
you don't!" Jeanette had eyes fash
Toned somewhat upon his description,
and she was prone to believe that they
were quite fetching.
"N-n-o," answered Fred, slowly, smil-
Ing up at her; they are pretty enough,
but / like a sharp, gleamy kind of a
Girl, who looks as though she could I'M
derstand a fellow-antlcipate his
thoughts, you know, and be a sort of a
match for him In an all-around, general
way"
"oh-h," again drawled Jeanette,
vaguely. would she have to be very
rich!"
well, I should say So" was Fred's
disguised reply; shed have to be load
ed down with money or she wouldn't
be In 1t for a moment. Not on your IA
cial expression"
HUH" INTERCEPTED Elizabeth, and
the girls exchanged glances of deep
meaning, and l suppose" (suavely)
that h would have also to love your"
Sure thing" was the complacent re-
ply. Loves everything. I wouldn't
have n girl that didn't love me. I should
Ike one that would adore me. Not one
or these soulful creatures, but a pierre
Ing, tiery-eyed girl-like Bernhardt, for
Instance. Now, / think I could fall in
love with n girl like Bernhardt."
The girls sank back upon their props
of sofa pillows in d weak, awe-struck
manner and gazed upon him with a
mixture of admiration and envy.
"oh-h," they faltered, "oh, yes" And
then Helen caught her second breath
and rallied to the rescue.
well" she commenced, "do YOU
think you could find a girl who would
fall in love with you?"
Fred's features began to redden and
he turned and looked up but Helen's
face bore nothing except n charming
expression of interest.
"Well," he began, cautiously, and
cycling them all narrowly, II guess It
would be all right after she had known
me awhile"
"Er-well," Elizabeth managed to say
after an interval, of course she would
have to be n good h~ousekeeper and
cook"
"oh, yes" was the reflective reply,
at wouldn't be of any harm of course
Still, I wouldn't insist II she had studied
her music, had been'n couple OF years
In Europe and was finished and accom-
plished."
"oh-h," cried the girls, finished and
accomplished. how nice. Then, Of
course, she would have to be very
beautiful"
"wel. I guess" was the reply in high
tones of surprise. "If there's anything
in the world / wouldn't have, It would
be a homely girl"
Now none of the girls were at all
homely, but the remark was too good to
let escape and they gave little gasps OF
amazement.
"Didsyou ever?" murmured Helen.
"Oh, don't mind her, Fred" said
Elizabeth: she's Jealous OF me because
1 can cook"
Hmm" retorted Helen. Cook. You
cook? You can cook the water to boil
the coffee in. But then, of course, 1
forgot" she added, thouGhtfully, "you
can play almost anything-on the hand
organ. You might do"
Elizabeth and Jeanette laughed and
Jeanette leaned forward GnXlously.
Wont any of US do, Fred?" she asked
sweetIy, "and Just think-we all love
you sol"
Fred rose with a dazed, slckly ex-
preston and looked around to locate his
wheel and the gateway.
He rallied with n supreme effort and
smiled family, IT don't know-er-ot
course, IL ] couldn't find some one that
was-just perfectly right, you know,
some one OF you might do-at a pinch"
Then he fed. And the girls rose up
and pursued him with the soft pillows,
rugs and cushions half a block down
the street until he managed to mount
his wheel and dash away with a last
triumphant chuckle.
And after thinking It over they de-
clded that II would take a ~fivc-pound
box OF the best chocolates to stralghten
things out.