Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-01-19
NO. 6.

w OAi1 "hOlO . LuC UIOuUlC UuCu L
asked at length.
81 don't know what to do," she re-
piled, repeating her former wall.
I began to see. 1t is hard to decide
between two lovers. I could sympa-
thize with Marie, for 1 had once been
in similar predicament myself.
"You don't know which of US to
take ?" | suggested, after minute or
two of silence, attempting to put some
sympathy into my voice.
Marie did not notice the sympathy
She merely looked uncomfortable at
this bold statement of the difficulty.
But she did not deny it.
"You like me, don't you2" I VEN
tured with some fear in my heart.
Marie nodded. I felt very COM
placent.
"And you like Philip Transome ?" I
continued.
She nodded second time. I be-
lieve l swore at Transome again.
"But you can't decide between us.
Is that it?
"That's it," acknowledged Marie,
weakly.
"You have tried every way?"
81 have, and I can't"-here Marie
blushed, but it was q blush / did not
like, because it was for Transome as
much as it was for me-"and I can't
tell which of you like the better"
The person who sits in the seat of
the undecided sits not easily. This I
knew. And any decision is better
than no decision. This also I knew.
So out of the sympathy which I had
for Marie I made up my mind to help
her arrive at some decision, even
though I lost by it. But I did not
intend losing if I could help it.
I thought for long time, but moth
ing came. Then I looked up at Marie.
Her eyes were fixed expectantly on
me, as though she had instinctively
learned of my intention to help her
and was awaiting my plan.
"Well," said I, seizing on an idea
that just then popped into my head,
"since you have tried all other ways,
suppose you toss up for u.s."
"What!" exclaimed Marie, half
starting from her chair.
"Toss up for u.s." I repeated calmly.
Marie sank back in her chair and
gazed at me in amazement.
Marie's surprise at my suggestion
angered me somewhat. Of course,
I can understand that choosing hus-
band in such a way may seem little
queer to some girls. But they needn't
act as though it were so unusual. Be-
sides, there are worse ways.
"Toss up for you !" Marie managed
to gasp out at length.
"Certainly," I replied, with some
asperity. "Have you anything better
to suggest ?"
Areluctant "No" came from Marie.
"You'd better toss up, then," [ said
decisively, drawing quarter from one
of my pockets and offering it 10 her.
She took it and gazed at it for
long time. I began to grow impatient,
for the coin was like any other of its
kind, and could see no reason why she
should study it. Then I saw that her
look was the look of one who is think
ling. Suddenly she raised her head
and gazed steadily at me. And then
smile that I liked strangely we'll
slowly came into her eyes.
"No, you do it," she said, returning
the coin. ~ don't know how"
We both stood up. "Heads, it is
Transome; tails it is II" suggested
briefly.
Marie nodded.
balanced the coin on my first finger.
I felt sure of the result, for the man
never lived who is as lucky as I am.
1 even began to pity poor Transome.
But before this feeling had much op-
portunity to grow tipped the quar-
ter whirling into the air, and as it
struck the floor, placed my foot upon
it.
1 looked at Marie. (which shall
it be-? I asked softly.
"You," she whispered.
slipped my foot aside and we both
stopped. The laurel-wreathe head of
Liberty was up.
1t was Transome!
We both Strengthened up. I looked
at Marie and Marie looked at me.
She was pale and I could not have
been otherwise. had risked all on
the turn of coin-and it had turned
the wrong way. Without a word, for
I was not wise in the ways of woman,
I walked out of the room, secured my
hat in the hall and started to open
the door and 90 out into the street.
As my hand was turning the knob
something touched my arm. l turned
and looked around. There stood
Marie, with little smile-on her face.
"Dick," she whispered, and then
was silent. I still held on to door
knob.
"Dick"-this time the smile was
stiffmsxe beseeching-"can't you see?
It's-it's yon>anyhow."
1 saw, and myhsnd left the door
knob. And in the 1frtle excitement
that followed I also, may baye kissed
Marie. Such things have happened.