Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-11-04
HEADS OR TAILS.

both OF hers, what S the matter.
She looked up. Her lips were quiver
ing, and a tear, balanced for the start
stood in each eye.
81 don't know what to do" she whis
pered brokenly.
"Well," said inquiringly. inviting he
to continue.
She hesitated nervously for several sec
onds. Then she went on almost maud
bly,:
You see, Mr.. Transome told me las
night what you told me just now."
Hang Transomei" l said TO myself
but to Marie said, "Well, Philip Tran
some is fine fellow, you know"
''Of course" said Marie, acquiescing {
little too readily, thought.
And he's good looking"
''Yes''
'.And rich"
YES
This itemizing a rivals good points te
comfort the woman you love is rather
straining on your generosity. 1t isn't 81
bad if the woman rewards your generosi
ty. as of course she should. But Marie
didn't. So | stopped.
''Well, where's the trouble, then?"
asked at length.
81 don't know what to do" she replied
repeating her former wall.
began to see. 1t is hard to decide be-
tween two lovers. / could sympathize
with Marie, for had once been in sim.
liar predicament myself.
''You don't know which Of us to taker
l suggested after minute or two of 81.
lence, 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 you" ventured,
with some fear in my heart.
Marie nodded. / felt very compiacent.
"And you like Philip Transome?" l
continued
She nodded second time. l believe 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 l can't"-here Marie
blushed, but it was a blush 1 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
undeciued sits not easily. This l knew.
And any decision is better than no deci-
sion. This also I knew. So out Of the
sympathy had for Marie | made up my
mind to help her to arrive at some de-
cision, even though L lost by it. But
did not intend losing if l could help it.
thought for a long time, but nothing
came. Then 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 await
ing my plan
We'll" said l. seizing upon an idea
that just then popped into my head,
"since you have tried all other ways. sup
pose you toss UP for us"
WHAT" exclaimed Marie, half start
ing from her chair.
''Toss up for u.s." l repeated calmly
Marie sank back in her chair and gazed
at me in amazement
Marie's surprise at my suggestion an
gered me somewhat. OF course l can
understand that choosing a husband in
such a way may seem little queer to
some girls. But they needn't act as
tnOuSn IL were 50 UNUSUAL. beSlueS,
there are worse ways.
''Toss up for your' Marie managed to
gasp out at length.
Certainly" | replied, with some as
perity. Have you anything better to
suggest
A reluctant No" came from Marie.
You'd better toss up them" l said de-
cisively, drawing IA quarter from one of
my pockets and offering it to her.
She took it and gazed at it for long
time. / began to grow impatient, for the
coin was like any other of its kind, and
l could see no reason why she should
study it. Then l saw that her look was
the look of one who is thinking. Sudden
ly she raised her head and gazed steadily
at me. And then a smile that I liked
strangely well slowly came into her eyes.
''No, you do it, she said, returning the
coin. Il don't know how"
We both stood up. Heads, it is Tran
some: tails, it is I?'' / suggested briefly.
Marie nodded.
l balanced the coin on my first finger
/ felt sure of the result, for the man
never lived who is as lucky as I am. l
even began to pity poor Transome. But
before this feeling had much opportuni-
ty to grow I Tipped the quarter whiriing
into the air and as it struck the floor
placed my foot upon it.
I looked at Marie. (which shall it
be?' / asked softly.
you" she whispered.
l slipped my foot aside, and We both
stopped. The laurel wreathed head of
liberty was up.
1t was Transome!
We both Strengthened up. looked at
Marie, and Marie looked at me. She
was pale, and | could not have been 9TH
erwise. had risked all on the turn of
coin. and it had turned the wrong way.
Without word. for / was not wise in
the ways of woman, l walked out of the
room, secured my hat in the hall and
started to open the door and go out into
the street
AS my hand was turning the knob
something toUehed my arm. turned
and looked around. There stood Marie
with a little smile-a little, beseeching
smile-on her face.
''Dick," she whispered and then was
silent. 1 still held on to the doorknob.
"Dick"-this time the smile was still
More beseeching-"can't you see? It's
you anyhow
l saw, and my hand left the doorknoh
And in the litrie excitement that fo,
lowed l also may have kissed Marie.
Such things have happened.-Exchange.
Following Directions.
Mrs. Stuffem was told by that emi-
nent actress who reduced her weight
25 pounds by dieting to strictly avoid
all starchy prpnarafiopc