The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-04-29
THE OTHER GIRL.

On my arrival at the station, Lady
Warrington, Molly and the French
maid had collected their chattels and
stood round the immense heap in atti-
tudes denoting various degrees of i'm
patience. l apologized.
ut is of no consequence" said Lady
Warrington, in tone signifying it was
OF the greatest. Molly shook her head
at me and smiled. 1 looked at the two
ladies and the French maid and then
looked at the miniature convey
ance.
THE brougham is only seated for
two," l limited.
Celeste can walk" said Lady Man
nington.
Il should prefer to walk, mamma"
said Molly, with an air of much good
nature.
Perhaps that will be best" Lady
Warrington conceded reluctantly.
Il am sure of it," indorsed hearth
ly.
| "1f only your aunt had sent the ON
nibus''-Lady Warrington began ag-
grievedly.
1T was most careless of her." 1 ad-
mitted instantly. caught Molly's eye.
She has a curious way of smiling at
nothing
So Molly and l started to walk over
the crisp snow. Just outside the sta
lion I helped her over the stile. I'VE
may as we'll take the short cut" l OBJ
| served; it is not so very much longer,
ard l have to say so much to you."
"What about?" asked Molly.
| / hes.tated. 1T is about a friend of
mine, 1 replied at length.
"Oh."
"4e is in the deuce of a mess" be-
gan, confidentially." I want your help"
What can l do?" asked Molly, open
ing her eyes.
You can advise me-" l replied, TAX
ing courage. "A woman's Wit
Molly was pleased. Go on, Mr.. Tre-
vor.'
81 fear you will think my friend par
ticularly foolish" said sorrowfully.
very likely" replied Molly, indif-
ferently.
Il assure you he has many good
points. But it happened girl wanted
to marry him.
What" exclaimed Molly.
Il can't think what she saw in him."
| replied, uncomfortably.
''She could not have been quite nice"
said Molly, decisively.
| | stopped to test the strength of the
ice over the pool.
| Il have seen her look quite nice" I
remarked, thoughtfully
You know her?" asked Molly, quick
ly
"Oh, yes. 1t wasn't really the girl
who wanted to marry my friend; it was
her mother. l mean the mother want
ed the girl to marry my friend. 1 hope
l make myself clear"
Il don't think that improves mat
ters,' retorted Molly
My friend was in love wah another
girl-a really nice girl. In fact,
quite splendid girl. One of the very
pSSt, Sdlu, hlHullnS.
you know that girl, too?" asked
Molly, little coldly.
"Ye-es."
"Well?"
! My friend was staying at, country
house, and SO were both the girl and
her mother, and She"
"Who?' asked Molly.
THE girl whose mother wanted her
to marry him. l do hope l am clear
She got him into quiet corner, and
somehow or other my friend found out
she had hold of his hand. II don't
know how it happened. 1t just oc-
cured"
"How clever of your friend to find it
out" said Molly, sarcastically.
| went on hastily. And then he saw
her head coming nearer and nearer
his shoulder, and he didn't know what
to do
Il wonder" said Molly, "he did not
call for help"
You see" l went on, "he was afraid
! she would propose, or -or-the moth
er might come. He guessed the moth
er was pretty near. Then he thought
of the other girl, and he got into a
dreadful panic. In fact, he lost his
head"
1T could not have been a great loss,"
observed Molly disdainfully.
moo. But it was the only one he
had, and he was accustomed to it. He
didn't know what to do So he said he
was already engaged"
Did he say 'already?'"
Yes" 1t was a cold day. but l
mopped my brow with my handker-
chief.
Molly uttered peal of silvery laugh
ter. Il am really almost sorry for that
girl, but it served her right"
THE girl didn't turn a hair. She
simply Strengthened herself up and
asked to whom he was engaged"
"Well?"
"He blurted out the name of the 9TH
er girl. He couldn't think of any 9TH
/ ar name"