The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-12

Who is the unlucky lady this time n
1T would not be fair to tell. And
two are mentioned"
| Poor girl!
You know that rumor is lying Jade,
! Miss Marsh.
| by nature--yesE But sometimes
| by acc1dent-she speaks the truth. y
| How valiantly women cover UP their
| scars. b
"Of course" said I. there Is no
foundation for the runor, +
Il had hoped there was, said she,
softly Brave heart. 1t was dire
| business. y
There, may be some day | murmar-,
| ed. Il meant that I expect shall mar
| ry sooner or later"
| "Oh. / hope so,,' said she. When you
are a little older. Some strong, help
full woman with ideals Not poor lit
| tie society buttsrfly-like me-.
IT she were like you | said, and
stopped.
She won't be- said Miss Marsh
quickly. Vt
My heart was torn with pity for her.
One so seldom marries the person
truth to her gently.
And how much better for us that is.
isn't it,"
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
How do you mean, Miss Marsh?"
Il mean that the object of our first
love is so rarely the person to make us
really happy u
remembered that this was her third
season..
First love is the only love-" said I. Y
''Oh, no. said she.
"Oh, yes" l repeated firmly. 1t was
no time for maWkish faltering. My du-
ty was plain. 4&
Mr.. Wroughtnight,' said she, be
lieve what | am about to say. You are
too young yet. to know what is best for
your own welfare
1t seemed an odd way to talk, as /
was at least two years her senior; but
reflected that she was distraught-
that she was fighting against her own
happiness.
II think said I, Il know what is best
for me, young as I may be. When my.
fate comes along ~
THAT time is not yet. of course" said
she.
Oh, anxious, despairng heart!
NO. l cried and shuddered in dread
expectation of some tragic sign from
her. But she was strangely calm. 1t
almost seemed to me that light Of re-
lief leaped into her eyes The relief of
the tortured soul at hearing sentence Ct
death!
great silence fell on US. She mus
ed, looking at me with strange intent
ness.
Mr.. Wroughtnight," said she, IT
have a mind to be honest with you
have a strong prejudice in favor of
honest dealing. My honesty may cost
me your good opinion, but I don't mind
that I mean that I have enough faith
in your good sense to believe that YOU
won't think me unwomanly and :mmod-
est in saying what l propose to say"
| rose in great agitation.
Miss Marsh" I said, pause, reflect.
Don't speak yet. You may save us
both much PAIN, -,
,"Nonsense" she said sharply.
l was surprised and a little affront-
ed. ~
:, beg your pardon, said I. GO en-,
She flu.tered her fan nervously
II am afraid,' she said, I'VE don't
quite understand one another At least,
I think | understand you, but you
don't" rs
I moistened, my dry'llps. Go on i
said, breathlessly.
Mrs. Cheedle has told you something
about me-
ooh"
Mr.. Cheedler. then? Somebody"
Yes ! said.
II cannot repeat it, Miss Marsh
let me implore you to say no more. Let
us go back" .5
NO" she replied. 81 will tell you
what they said. They told you that /
I-am-am in love with you
''They were mistaken" / cried, still
willing to spare her.s
Yes, they were she responded calm
ly,
T nd In ly
'"They told me-" she said, that you
We're in love with me"
A bitterness of humiliation logged my
soul.
II have no doubt they meant WE'LL"
said she.
"Oh, there is no doubt of that" I
agreed, sourly.
Perhaps they thought they might
make a match between us that way
Young married couples are always the
busiest match makers. And, really, do
you know, I think they showed some
knowledge of poor human nature in this
instance, at any rate?'
She smiled. I felt too sick TO smile
Il am sorry she said, IF you feel
at all hurt by this revelation of TRUTH
Then I saw the absurdity of my posi-
tion and summoned my sense of humor
to the rescue. 1t was not possible to
fefldlH lllseHSible 10 MISS MARSH $ mag
nificent command Of her own dignity
Il was fool" said /.
Il, too" said she. But it does not
matter now it is all over, does it? And,
| anyway, nobody will know. We shall
both keep the secret inviolate, 1 dare
say, for our honors sake"
II am afraid you must think me rath-
er a conceited ass, Miss Marsh"
Don't be silly" she said. You
thought as 7 did,
But with less reason" I said, bow
ing.
York World.