The Republican., 1899-04-27
A misunderstanding
By Edwin Pugh

wouldn't tell you at all, Phil, if | didn't
repose so much confidence in your good
taste; for, whatever else you may be.
Phil, you are still a gentleman"
"a colorado imitation, at least, l
hope" said 1.
You know my wife's cousin?" he
began.
"She has so many
"Awful crowd! But I mean the pret
ty one"
Little girl with faxen hair?
Rather-a shadeAtoo conscious of
her profle?"
Yes. Ha, ha Miss Marsh" He
slipped solemnly,
"Well?"
"It is a pity. My wife told me. I
should never have suspected it myself
She's a little bit impressed by you"
"In love with me?"
Darn your complacency! l suppose
So"
Poor grill" said I.
"She isn't fool either"
'Not bit of it, l cried.
"That makes it all the more eXtraor-
dinary."
Il don't see that"
"My object in telling you was to
warn you against playing off that in
fernal trick of yours on her. You
know what. l mean? That way you
have of talking to a woman as if she
were the only one of her sex in the
world"
"a reprehensible habit. So danger
ous!" said 1. Il will be careful"
"Yes, do be careful, old man."
We were silent awhile. l got up, mur-
muring again: Poor grill" bade fare
well to Cheedle and went home. had
not intended to be at the Massie's party
on the following evening, but, know
ing that Miss Marsh would be there
Is - a i; o ~
that it might be the sooner over-I
dressed and went.
The drawing-room was very crowded.
! looked about for Miss Marsh. and
presently espied her in a far corner. BY
slow stages | made my way toward her.
She marked my approach with a wist-
full face, and when | was close enough
made room for me beside her. Poor
thing! We shook hands. and noted a
tender light in her eyes. My heart
ached with pity.
How hot it is in here!" said she.
Oh, these hollow commonplaces ut
tered calmly in gale of passion!
Yes" said l. Il wonder if we could
get out into the conservatory?
We managed it by dint of many po-
lite hustlings, strewing our path with
apologies as we went. Our end at
tanned, we sat down side by side under
a tub-palm and looked at one another
How pleasant it is out here!" she
murmured.
so COOL" said I.
Conversation was certainly difficult
The usual rumor concerning YOU is
out said she.
"Indeed!' cried. 1t was no time to
be witty
They have married you again, Mr.
Wroughtnight.
''Who is the unlucky lady this time p"
"It would not be fair to tell. And
two are mentioned"
Poor girl!
'You know that Rumor is a lying
jade, Miss Marsh ?"
by nature-yes. But sometimes---
by accident-she speaks the truth"
How valiantly women cover up their
scars!
"Of course" said I, there is no foun-
dation for the rumor."
Il had hoped there was" said she,
softly.
Brave heart! 1t was a dire business!
There may be, some day" l muir
INJURED. Il mean that l expect l shall
marry sooner or later"
"Oh, L hope So" said she. when
you are a little older. Some strong.
helpful woman with ideals. Notapoor
little society butterfy-like me-"
IF she were like you," said I, and
stopped.
"She won't be-" said Miss Marsh,
quickly.
My heart was torn of pity of her.
Zone so seldom marriee the person
one wants to-" said /, breaking the
truth to her gently.
and how much better for us that is.
isn't il ?"
The rejoinder hardly pleased me.
"How do you mean, Miss Marsh?"
81 mean that the object of our first
love is so rarely the person to make us
really happy"
remembered that this was her third
season.
First love is the only love-" said 1.
"Oh no." said she.
"Oh, yes" repeated, firmly. 1t was
no time for mawkish faltering. My
duty was plain
"Mr. Wroughtnight," said she, "be-
ieve what l am about to say. You are