The Opelousas courier., 1898-05-21
Heads or Tails.

Heads or Tails.
S~~~~>~
"Marie," I began a~wkwardly, for
had never proposed before, ''you mus
know-you must have seen for q Ions
time that--that-I love you"
Marie said nothing, but sat looking
down at her hands, which were twist:
ing a bit Of lace that she called q
handkerchief. She was smiling before
1 began. She now looked distressed.
do not like for Marie to look dis
tressed, for she then looks as if she
were going to cry. And a crying
woman is not pretty. So for the
minute I laid aside my own affair to
comfort Marie.
marie" I began, venturing with
much trepidation to lay M hand
softly upon both of hers, ''what's the
matter?"
She looked up. Her lips were
%quivering and a tear, balanced for the
start, stood in her eye.
II don't know what to do" she
whispered, brokenly.
"Well?" I said, inquiringly, invit-
Ing her to continue.
She hesitated nervously for several
seconds. Then she went on. almost
inaudibly-
"You see, Mr.. Transome told me
last night what you told me Just
now."
"Confound T%ransome!" I said to
myself; and to Marie-"Well, Philip
Transome is a fine fellow, you know"
"Of course" said Marie, acquiesc-
ing a little too readily, T thought.
"And he's good looking"
eyes"
"And RICH"
eyes"
This itemizing a rivals good points
to comfort the woman you love is
rather straining on ones generositv.
1t 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?"
asked at length.
II don't know what to do" she re-
piled, repeating her formal vail.
l began to see. tits hard to decide
between two lovers. I could
'ympathize with Marie, for I had once
oeen in a similar predicament nv
elf.
"You don't know which of us to
I suggested, after a minute
II two Of silence, attempting to put
'ome sympathy into my voice.
You like me, don't youy' I ven
ured with some fear in my heart.
Marie nodded. I felt very COM
Sand you like Philip T~ransome?"
continued.
She nodded asecond time. I believe
swore at Transome.
"But you can't decide between us.
s that it."
THAT'S it," acknowledged Marie,
"You have tried every way?"
4 have, and I can't"--here Marie
lushed, but it was a blush I did not
ke, because it was for Transome as !
was for me-stand I can'ttell which I
you I like the better" s
The person who sits in the seat Of
% undecided sits not easily. This I t
new. And any decision is better /
an no decision. This also I knew. t
out OF the sympathy which I had s
r Marie I made up my mind to help e
'r arrive at some decision, even t
ough if I could help it. b
] thought for a long time, but MOTH '
6 came. Then I looked up at Marie. .
er eyes were fixed e%xpectantly on G
e, as though she had instinctively G
armed of my intention to help her t
d was awaiting my plan.
WELL" said 7, Selling on an idea
just then popped into my head,
ince you have tried all other ways, Ia
ppose you toss up for u.s." G.
WHAT" exclaimed Marie, half n
from her chair. n
up for u.s." I repeated d
lmly. IL
cSAA 0dCh III AEI C0AlF ami 70
zed at me in amazement. d
surprise to my suggestion ca
gered me somewhat. Of course. OF
an understand that choosing q hus- W
nd IN such q way may seem a little NJ
Ger TO some girls. But they needn't 81
as though it were 50 unusual, W
sides, there are worse ways. Oh
Toss up for you'll" Marie managed E.
gasp out at length. fe
Certainly replied, with some th
Have You anything better lii
s~nggest?" as
reluctant No came from Maria.
You'd better toss up, them" I
!, decisively, drawing a quarter as
% y Of my pockets and offering co
o her. mi