Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-01-11
A OR TAILS,

She hesitated nervously for several Sec
onds. Then she went on almost inaudi-
bly,:
"You see, Mr.. Transome told me last
night what you told me just now"
Hang Transomer' I said to myself,
but to Marie I said, "Well, Philip Tran.
some Is a fine fellow, You know"
"Of course" said Marie, acquisscing a
little too readily, I thought.
"And he's good looking"
"Yes."
"And rich"
YES"
This itemizing a rivals good points to
comfort the woman you love is rather
straining on your generosity. 1t isn't SO
bad II the woman rewards your generosi-
ty, as of course she should. But Marie
didn't. So I stopped.
"Well, where's the trouble, thenY l
asked at length.
II don't know what to do" she replied,
repeating her former wall.
I began to see. 1t is hard to decide be-
tween two lovers. I could sympathize
with Marie, for I had once been in a sim
liar predicament myself.
"You don't know which of us to take? p
l suggested after a 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 your" I ventured,
with some fear in my heart.
Hc -oIJ-1 H-IA
"And you like Philip TransomeT l
continued.
She nodded a second time. I believe I
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"
II have, and I can't"-hsre Marie
blushed, but it was a blush I did not
like, because it was for Transome as
much as it was for me-"and I can't tell
which of you l like the better"
The person who sits in the seat of the
undecided sits not easily. This I knew.
And any decision is better than no deci-
sion. This also I knew. So out Of the
sympathy I had for Marie I made up my
mind to help her to arrive at some de-
cision, even though I lost by it. But l
did not intend losing il I could help it.
I thought for a long time, but nothing
came. Then l 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.
"Well," said I, seizing upon an idea
that just then popped into my head.
"since you have tried all other ways, sup
pose you toss up for u.s."
"WhatY" exclaimed Marie, half start
Ing from her chair.
"Toss up for U.s." I 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 I can
understand that choosing a husband in
such a way may seem a little queer to
some girls. But they needn't act as
though it were so unusual. Besides,
there are worse ways.
"Toss up for your Marie managed to
gasp out at length.
Certainly" I replied, with some as
perity. Have you anything better to
suggest"
A reluctant mo" came from Marie.
"You'd better toss up then" l said de.
cislvely, drawing a quarter from n Of
my pockets and offering it to her.
She took it and gazed at it for a long
time. I began to grow impatient, for the
coin was like any other Of its kind, and
7 could cao M roooop whv oho chn,id
study it. Then I saw that her look was
the look Of one who is thinking. Sudden
~ she raised her head and gazed steadily
at me. And then a smile that I liked
strangely well slowly came into her eyes.
mo, you do It," she said, returning the
coin. II don't know how"
We both stood up. Heads, it is Tran
some; tails, it is ~ I suggested briefly.
Marie nodded.
I balanced the coin on my first finger.
I felt sure Of the result, for the mar
never lived who is as lucky as I am. I
even began to pity poor Transome. But
before this feeling had much opportuni.
ty to grow l Tipped the quarter whirling
into the air and as 1t struck the floor
placed my foot upon 1t.
I looked at Marie. (which shall it
be" I asked softly.
"You," she whispered.
slipped my foot aside, and VI both
stopped. The laurel wreathed head Of
liberty was up.
1t was Transome!
We both Strengthened mp. I looked at
Marie, and Marie looked at me. She
was pale, and I could not have been 9TH
erwise. I had risked all on the turn Of q
coin, and it had turned the wrong way.
Without a word, for I 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 60 out into
the street.
As my hand was turning the knob
something touched my arm. I turned
and looked around. There stood Marie
with a little smile-a little, beseechins
smile-on her face.
"Dick," she whispered and then was
silent. I still held on to the doorknob.
"Dick"-this time the smile was still
more beseeching-"can't you seer It's
you anyhow"
saw. and my hand left the doorknoh
And In the little excitement that fol-
lowed I also may have kissed Marie.
Such things have happened.-Exchange.
A aildea World.
I'm this wur-ruld a bluff goes" said the
janitor philosopher. 9TH mon thot stands
out In front av a swill hotil wild a tooth.
pick in his mouth kin borrow q dollar