Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-01-02
know how it happened. 1t Just oc-

afraid she would propose, or-or-the
mother might come. He guessed tho
mother was pretty near. Then he
thought of the other girl, and he got
| into q dreadful panic. In fact, he lost
his head"
''It could not have been great
loss" observed Mollie disdainfully.
"No-o. 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?"
eyes" 1t was cold day, brt ]
mopped my brow with my handker.
chief
Mollie uttered a peal of silvery
laughter II am really almost sorry
for that girl, but it served her right"
"The girl didn't turn hair. She
simply Strengthened herself up and
asked to whom he was engaged"
"Well?"
"He blurted out the name of the
other girl. He couldn't think of any
other name"
"To whom, of course, he is not en-.
gaged?"
mo. And I don't suppose she
would have him. She is far, far too
good for him"
''Is that your whole story?"
Every nearly. The girl went away
and told her mother, who came up
gushingly and congratulated him. She
is true sportswoman. After that
she went about telling everybody OF
the engagement, and my friend has
had to receive congratulations ever
since"
"How awkwardl' said Mollie medi-
tatively. "Has the other girl heard
of it?"
"Not yet. This all happened yes
terday."
Yesterday"
nodded. "And the worst is the
other girl is expected to arrive at the
Towers almost Immediately.
Dear me-" said Mollie. $50 your
friend is at the Towers now?"
II didn't mean to let it out" l re-
piled, little abeshed.
Mollie began to laugh. ''It is
most amusing; but why did you tell
me about it?"
81 want your advice"
"Who is the other girl?" asked
Mollie curiously.
"Please don't ask for names," l
implored,
"But my advice must depend on the
other girls disposition.
"She is everything that is perfect" "
Ireplied fervently.
''No doubt" retorted Mollie satiric-
ally.
"You might almost be the other girl
YOURSELF" L went on with careful
carelessness.
"Really2" said Mollie. 'I believe
that must be considered a compliment.
Thank you very much"
"What," L asked, with elaborate in
difference, "would you do if you
were the other girl?"
Mollie stopped and broke off a sprig
of red berries. They were not so red
as her lips. "Of course" she said,
81 should be very annoyed"
"Ah, of course" said 1, forlornly.
cat any rate, L should pretend to
be very annoyed"
Butreally-,"Ib began, delighted.
"Oh, that would depend on the
man."
"Supposing, for the sake of illustra.
tion," said I, surveying the white ex'
panse of n neighboring field, 81 was
the man?"
This is nonsense" said Mollie.
eve can't make believe to that ex.
tent.
"Why can't we?"
"You would never be so foolish"
"But if"
''Let lis talk about something sensi.
ble," said Mollie, with decision.
''But my poor friend is depending
on me for advice"
She thought. "Of course you,
friend must get away from the Towers
before the other girl arrives"
'You are quite clea: he ought tc
get away" I asked mournfully.
"rhere can be no doubt of that.
Just fancy everybody rushing to con-
gratulate the other girl, and your friend
being present at the time. There
| MS III bC " oCtht.
81 can picture it, said I, repress
ing n groan.
We had arrived at the entrance tc
the avenue. l stopped and held out
my hand.
"Goodby," said.
"What do you mean?" she exclaimed
"I--I an going away. am the
man."
do not think am mistaken. The
color faded slightly from her face.
"And the other girl?" she queriet
family.
''You are the other girl"
The red replaced the white. She
stood quite still, with her eyes ben
downward; and then she began tC
trace figures in the snow with the toe
of her tiny boot.
"Goodby," L repeated.
She looked up. "Of course, I an
| Il, II L..