The Winslow mail., 1899-09-14
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An Unconscious Ally


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number of friends of my own sex.
Lest this should lead people to give me
an undue amount of credit for amia-
bility and sweetness of disposition, |
may as well state at once that have a
marriageable brother.
Being possessed also of a fair amount
of brains, L was never for moment de-
ceived as to the nature of the affection
lavished upon me by most of my female
friends. But then my dearest chum, the
girl L really thought loved me for my
self alone, told me she was engaged to
be married to my brother Fred, my
grief and anger knew no bounds.
1 had gone over to stay all night with
Maud, and had laid awake till three a.
m. exchanging condolences, and all the
time the sneak never said a word about
Fred. AT last dropped off to sleep and
was just in the midst of a glorious
dream, in which was leading cotiI-
Ion with a magnificent man with soul
full eyes and bank account in seven fig
ures, when Maud suddenly threw her
arms about my neck, entirely shutting
off my wind and soaring IN o aim IL, o
nervous prostration, and with a burst
of tears confessed that she had been
keeping a secret from me for two whole
days, and that we were to be really,
truly sisters, not just sisters in affec-
ton, as heretofore, etc.
managed to wriggle out from under
Maud's arm, and then | sat up in bed
and said things. l don't remember eX-
actly what they were, but they must
have been pretty bad, for Fred didn't
speak to me for a week (of course, Maud
had to tell him), and Maud herself went
around looking like a suffering martyr
whenever we chanced to be under the
same roof.
L was convinced that 1 was the most
miserable girl in the world after that,
and the worst of it was that everybody,
including Maud herself, thought l was
only mad because she was engaged first,
an imputation which | need not say was
entirely unjust.
I'm sure l could not see what Maud
had done that was so wonderful any,
way. Fred is anything but brilliant,
and l never considered him even good
looking, while as long as mamma lives
he hasn't penny to his name except his
salary. which is by no means princely
But Maud! You'd have thought she'd
landed Vanderbilt or poet-laureate
the way she acted.
1 pretended not to notice her airs and
nursed my grief in proud silence, but l
had no doubt that / was the most
wronged and unhappy creature that
ever lived until subsequent events
taught me that our affairs are arranged
by an all-wise Providence, in whom we
may safely trust, no matter how dark
our way may seem at the time. 1 shall
never doubt the wisdom of Providence
again.
To begin with, L found that was like
ly to get lot of amusement out of this
engagement. Fred was madly Jealous
of Maud all the time, though anyone
could see with half an eye that she'was
simply mad about him and in deadly
fear of losing him herself.
He would come home at least three
times week, pale, haggard and wild
eyed, man bereft of hope. The rest
of the time he was madly joyful and
talked about Maud as if she was several
degrees higher than the seraphim. 1t
was enough TO make ST, Bernard dog
laugh just to see him.
l also found further consolation in
the fact that his state of mind inter-
fered seriously with Fred's appetite,
that l got all the extra pudding and
things that had always fallen to his
share (Fred was always greedy thing),
and then Percival Jones came from
abroad.
Percival was millioaire's son, with
face too beautiful for words and taste
for Ibsen.
Of course, all this made him desirable
bevord most other men, but L must say
the way the girls of Archerville made
different kinds of fools of themselves
about him was enough to disgust even a
woman's rights advocate with her sex.
need hardy say that [ was smart
enough to treat Mr.. Jones with marked
GOODNESS. The first time l met him my
behavior seemed to puzzle the pam
pered youth. The second time he ap-
peared distinctly grateful. On the third
he asked permission to call, and I went
home at peace with all the world, even
Fred.
For five consecutive afternoons after
that I sat by the tea table in the back
drawirg-room, attired in my best gown,
expecting Percival-in vain.
Ur the sixth he came.
ny hat a delightful surprise" l said
gush .ngiy. l WAS : tritie nervous from
aaihug so loES.