The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-05-07

more than you do for any other fellow.
l've sworn to you that l could new er
love anyother girl, and yet I've found
out that not only are you in the habit
of meeting old Smith of ours; but that
you treat him quite like favored
lover; in fact, you do with him what
you've never done with me,-you go
out walking with him,-and | can't
help thinking that you are playing a
double game"
The girl seemed very much detected
at these accusations. and ut length hes
itatingly replied:
"Well. Bob. I'm sorry that You have
so very poor an opinion of me. I've
told you that love you, and it is not
likely that | should say such a thing
and at the same time be carrying OH
as you term it-with another man.
But | think that our attachment is
altogether an unfortunate affair. l
know that I've done wrong in encour-
aging you, but l have not been able to
help it, because | have not been able
to help loving you. Don't you think
that we had better not meet any more.
and try to forget all that has passed
between usy''
The young officer stared in amaze
ment, and, with all the impetuosity of
youth, exclaimed: "Why, Oracle you
don't mean that you are going to throw
me over like this?'
mo, Bob, l don't want to do any
thing of the Sort" replied the girl,
"but l am anxious to act for your good
for the good of both of us-rcally.
truly, and honestly lido. Please don't
accuse me of any other motive. Just
think of your position. On one side
you, heir to great name, your father
rich, proud man. On the other side
I, a milliner's shop girl. What would
your father say, what would the
world say, if you were to make
me your wife?'
"What do | care W hat the world or
the governor would say?" exclaimed
her lover. 81 am of age. My father
has no influence over me only to cut
me out of his will. You're lady, l
knew that, Oracle, although you're in
a shop, and there's no shame in that.
By Jove, you've only got to look over
the directory to see how the swells are
going in for commerce and even for
trade. For Gods sake, then, Oracle,
don't send me away. Until l knew
you, warn't up to much good, al
though l don't mean that l was a
blackguard. But, since I've known
you, I've changed. and | would make
you just as good husband as any of
the fellows who come with written
characters in their pockets" p"
''Yes, Bob, | believe all that" an
swered the girl. "But l shouldn't be
happy, even if was your wife, if was
scorned by your people, and pointed
out as cunning schemer who had put
you in position out of which You
could not eNtricate yourself, and saw
you left alone by all yonr relations
and friends because you had married
girl out of bonnet-shop."
"We'd keep out of their way, Oracle
said the young man. go and live
quietly somewhere"
"But you can't get out or the way
of your brother officers" said the girl.
Never mind about them,' said Bob.
"But to return to Smith. What about
him? When | know that you meet
him and 90 walking with him, what am
to infer.y
Oracle hesitated moment, and then
looking him full in the lace, said:
"Tom-I mean Mr. Smiths an old
and dear friend of mine, and"
''There!' interrupted the young
man, "You've called him by his Christ
ian name. Good heavens! Oracle, what
does this all mean?'
The girl did not answer, and the Hon.
Bob, after few more entreaties and
eXpostulatlons, took himself off in a
rage, vowing that he would have it out
with his brother officer before many
,urs older. On his way to the bar
racks, he met Smith, and to his sur
prise the latter opened fire by at once
saying:
Il say, Topsham, | wish that you
would give me ten minutes talk in my
quarters"
"l've come on purpose to ask some
thing Of you," said Bob, earnestly
"But you had better come into mine,
as there's less chance of being over
heard"
So they turned into Topsham's
quarters, and, each being supplied with
a cigar, Smith began:
"One thing, Topsham, before l say
a word. | must ask you to keep your
temper"
"Well, Smith, replied Bob, "under
the circumstances it will be hard, but
I'll do my level best. Now, then, to
the pointr'