The age-herald., 1898-10-16

"She didn't really call you an ass, did she?" And Nannie's eyes grew very big. "Of course an A. B. wouldn't use such an expression. But she plainly told me as much.
 Now go on," said Mamie. "How did Georgiana Edwards, A. B., come to tell you such an unpleasant truth? Also, why are you sure a cross stone is lucky, when you weren't sure before?"
 "If I answer, you guarantee it shall be without prejudice?"
 "I solemny promise and declare"
 Well then. You won't tell anybody? Oh, Lord, Nanne what an ass have been! l. I proposed to her"
 Proposed to her? After only two weeks? Why, Fred, I could have told you as much as she did-and l haven't been to college either" And Mamie dived into a sofa pill low to suffocate her laughter Never mind, Fred" she said presently lifting her ruddy cheeks and tear-suffused eyes. "Never mind. I won't laugh any more-any more-if-you'n only tell me the rest Go on. What did she say?"
 ''I asked her what she had against me-, said Fred blushing furiously, and keeping his gaze fixed on the polar bear rug" and she said I was weak-minded."
 "Weak-minded? Oh. I beg pardon. Said I wouldn't laugh"
 "She said l was weak minded, because I carried fool pebble in my pocket-and T am childish"
 "So you are, Fred And how did it bring you good luck?'
 Just. that-made her turn me down. Then saw it all in a flash"
 "What?"
 "That I had been a fool for-'
 "All rght-all right" Mamie made haste to interrupt him. Wasn't it funny, got my cross stone the same day?"
 Not long after that Fred met Miss Geor- giana, and she smiled lpon him and said, What has become of you all this time?'
 '1 have been subduing my weakness" said Fred, wondering at the audacity he had plucked up since his last interview with the A, B.
 How does the work progress?" she asked, looking more self-poised and alto gether imposing than ever. By the way I hope you don't intend to cut my acquaint- ance altogether? That is not essential to the work of subjugation, is it?"
 NO. l will come to you from time to time to derive strength from your counsel. And by the way, Miss Georgiana, that ab- surd cross stone superstition seems to be gaining grounds hereabouts.'
 .Indeed."
 'Yes. Mamie Spalding has had one sent to her all the way from Chile, and think she has succumbed to the belief-says good luck came to her the very next day.
 Georgiana smiled superior smile. And has the good luck staid with her ever since?"
 ''She hasn't had it a week yet. It came the day l last saw you. She showed it to me the day after she got it. Very pretty, it is.
 Georgiana shot at Fred the glance of a plain, unsophisticated young woman who would like to ask but does not show curi- osity-all in spite of her college breeding and her A. B.
 Fred only said, Goodbye. When may I come and see you again?"
 Georgiana smiled as she answered Any evening this week but Friday Mir -, mean, friend of mine from Michigan, made me promise him that evening all to himself" Then she glanced another cur- ous glance and smiled again.
 Fred also smiled as he left her. for he saw through the intent of that friend of mine from Michigan" and knew for sure that he was now, as he put it to himself tout of range of Georgiana, A. B."
 He thought a good deal for the next fifteen minutes, having learned great deal from this little conversation with Georgiana and his last conversation with Mamie. Without overweening conceit, he felt that circums stances-not his own wits, for he knew himself to be an ass, but cir cumstances-had virtually given him his choice of these two women, if he could act sensibly for once. So ne made a plot to act Sensibly.
 Fred's plot demanded that he should keep away from both the girls for week. This was the hardest detail of execution. Then he went to see Mamie and talked