The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-12-02
ONE OF THE THREE.


ter, and 1t Is always a pleasure to me
to see her, but when she wakes me up
at 3 in the morning to give me that
pleasure I cannot say that 1t Is wholly
an unmixed one.
"Auntie, may come in?"
you are in" answered tartly, for
she had opened the door.
Evidently she considered this an in
vitation, for she closed the door be-
hind her, put her candle down on the
table, and sat down at the foot Of my
bed.
"Auntie," she said penitently, II
wouldn't disturb you unless 1t was for
something really important. But I
can't Sleep"
What has been taking placer" ask
ed.
ut isn't what has taken place, but
what will take place. Auntie, I must
marry me-"
Extremely sudden. I see no i'm
mediate necessity"
1T will sound cruel. am In love
with three men,"
mot bad for your years. Do you
propose to marry all three?"
"No-but I propose to marry one Of
them. The question is which"
And where does my part come inn"
"You must decide for me-" pleading
y.
BLESS me, you are to marry them
him l mean-the one"-I said con-
fusedly, mot me, therefore surely you
ought to be the one to choose"
How can be both Judge and coun-
sci? And want to plead the cause
of all three"
plead away, then" was getting
curious now.
First, there is Mr.. Action"
"A clever barrister, from all ac-
counts. What do you find to love in
him."
He is SO clever, SO ambitious, SO
strong, and keen, and cold. Auntie,
brain is grand thing. And 1t is SO
delicious to lose all ones own small
identity and individuality in such
large one-to merge ones paltry am
billions In another's great one. Think
OF the pride Of hearing a man like that
say, That is my wife. Think Of the
pleasure of assisting his work, of
standing between him and the every
dow disturh;nu aupovonca ~ Nfa ohoya
all, the pleasure Of having him to look
up to and admire. Admiration for a
man is luxury so rarely possible to
women nowadays. And I admire ev-
erything about him, from his clear cut
features and keen eyes to his enormous
brain and wonderful eloquence."
was so much astonished at Dollie's
own unwonted eloquence that I could
only blink stupidity for minute or
two. Then I said, Does he want to
marry your
They all want to marry me"-trag-
ically.
you have pleaded one cause so we'll
that l fail to see where the other two
can have an advantage. Who are
they?"
We'll, there Is Claude Brown
Then explain the quality Of the es-
sence poured forth for him."
HE makes me feel IKE a saint. He
believes l am the most perfect woman
living. When he sits and talks to me
am throned queen and he a hum
BILE worshiper. I am a single, tall,
white lily in field Of grass. am a
white robed nun, spotless, pure white
maiden. l feel as II my hands held
the charity and the kindliness and the
peace of the world, and no vileness
could live near me. am something
set apart. l sit in charmed circle
with his love and his reverence maxi
ing white wall between me and the
small sins and temptations of the
world. am raised above the COM
monplace. Storms can rage all round
me and not touch me. The world
struggles and fights while I sit on a
white throne holding it's ideals and
high hopes pure and undefiled."
Dollle's candle and my night light
shone on the pink ball dress and made
her jewels sparkle. But the Jewels
were nowhere compared to her glisten-
Ing eyes. lad forgotten now, that
ever had a down pillow and hot wa.
ter bottle.
Twenty-year-old Dollie had reached
the two extremes of womans bliss
oh, wasteful fates- while some women
never knew either. But where in the
name Of the holy St. Valentine was she
going to get in a third?
And Claude Brown also wishes to
marry your"
They all want to marry me-" she
repeated, more tragically still.
And am judge" calculated look
ing at the rosebud face and sweet per-
turbed blue eyes. well should be
sorry to have the responsibility of CIV
ing the casting vote now, and I have
another cause to listen to. Who is the
third"
THE third is Jack"
"Ah, then, what has Jack to offer be-
sides fair income and his handsome
face? A luxury Of admiration? Ora
white throne? Or something original
on his own account?"
mo. After all think Jack Night
be struck out first" she said, med-
tatively. only he says, Doll, old
GIRL and pushes my bicycle " oil the
hills"
Marry Mr.. Action" I suggested.
Yes, perhapS | will" said Dnllie