Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-03-03


"Yes." 1t was cold day, but I
mopped my brow with my handker-
chief.
Molly uttered a peal of silvery
laughter. 81 am really sorry for that
girl, but it served her right"
'The girl didn't turn hair. She
simply Strengthened herself up and
asked to whom he was enSaged."
''Well?"
''He blurted out the name of the
other girl. He couldn't think of any
other name.''
''To whom, of course, he is not en-
gaged?"
No; and don't suppose she would
have him. She is far, far too good for
him."
is that your whole story?"
every nearly. The girl went away
and told her mother. who came up
gushingly congratulated him. She
is true sportswoman. Afterward she
went about telling everybody of the
engagement, and my friend has had to
receive congratulations ever since.''
"How awkwardW said Molly, medi-
tatively. "Has the other girl heard of
it?''
"Not yet. This all happened yes
terday."
"Yesterday?"
] nodded. ''And the worst is the
other girl is expected't to arrive at the
Towers almost Immediately"
"Dear me-" said Molly. $50 your
friend is at the Towers now?'
81 didn't mean to let it out" / re-
piled, trifie abashed.
Molly began to laugh. "It is most
amusing; but why did you tell me
about it?''
81 want your advice"
"Who is the other girl?" asked
Molly, curiously
"Please don't ask for names," i'm
plored.
'But my advice must depend on the
other girls disposition"
"She is everything that is perfect"
/ replied, fervently.
mo doubt" retorted Molly, satir-
ically.
''You might almost be the other
girl yourself, L went on, with careful
carelessness.
"Reallyr said Molly. 81 believe
that must be considered compli-
ment. Thank you very much.''
What" asked, with elaborate in
difference, would you do if you were
the other girl?"
Molly stopped and broke off sprig
nf - rox1
as her lips. ''Of course" she said,
II should be very annoyed
''Ah, of course" said l, forlornly.
AT any rate, / should pretend to be
very annoyed"
''But really" I began, delighted.
"Oh, that would depend on the
man..
'Supposing, for the sake of illustra-
ton, said l surveying the wide ex-
panse of a neighboring field, 81 was
the man?'
"This is nonsense. said Molly.
"We can't make believe to that ex-
tent
s'Why can't we?"
''You would never be so foolish"
''But if -"
''Let us talk about something sem
sible," said Molly, with decision.
"But my poor friend is depending
on me for advice -
She thought. "Of course your
friend must get away from the Tow
ers before the other girl arrives"
"You are quite clear he ought to
get away?" asked, mournfully.
"There can be no doubt of that
Just fancy everybody rushing to con-
gratulate the other girl and your friend
being present at the time. There
might be dreadful scene"
81 can picture it," said /, depressing
groan.
We had arrived at the entrance to
the avenue. 1 stopped and held out
my hand.
Good by" 1 said.
"What do you mean?" she ex-
claimed.
II am going away. 1 am the
man."
I do not think am mistaken. The
color faded slightly from her face.
"And the other girl?" she queried,
family.
"You are the other girl"
The red replaced the white. She
stood quite still, with her eyes bent
downward, and then she began to
trace figures in the snow with the toe
of her tiny boot.
''Good by" 1 repeated.
She looked up. "Of course, I am
very angry" she said. And then she
smiled and held out her hand. l took
it humbly and forgot to relinquish it.
Mamma will be getting anxious, y
she remarked. "We must hurry"
But we did not hurry. Pick Me-
| Up.