Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-11-01
FAIRLY WARNED /;
By Jeanette Nichols Philips. !
From the washington Home Magazine.

Wydeman. residents OF the same
CIV met for the first time one bright
summer day at certain ocean-side re-
sort. few evenings later they were
chatting rather confdentially as they
strolled along the beach in the twilight
He was saying:
Il have never yet found the one ire
yistible woman, and | do not Intend
ever 10 marry. But I'm fond Of the la
dies-nice ones-and / mean to enjoy
their society so long as they are will
inc 10 take me in a frank, friendly way
without expecting me 10 turn lover
signing like a furnace after a few days
acquaintance.
Here's my hand on that, Mr.. Chan
non. | have long waited TO know the
man who isn't studying ones available
itv as a wife, or looking aghast If she
casts a friendly glance in his direc'
ton"
.sYou and ! need not be afraid OF each
other with such an understanding, need
we?" asked Tracey.
mot in the least. ] shall enjoy you
immensely, know, for though expect
TO marry when the right man presents
himself. ! do like TO be myself without
constantly standing guard against loy.
ers and proposals.
"You can be yourself with me. III
take my own heart risks, Miss Wyde'
man."
Annis had left her debutante season
behind bv less than a half dozen years.
Tracey was older by a decade. She
was an orphan Of tempting fortune
and ranged at win between comfort
able city quarters in winter and select
seaside resorts I'm summer. IS a bach
elor he was independent as TO fortune
and inclined to take life easily.
When Annis reached her room after
the twilight stroll, she laughed and said
to herself:
"Now. Miss Wydeman, you have been
fairly warned, and il your rather IN
susceptible heart should happen TO
prove target for Cupid's markham
ship you will have to make your own
repairs. No gallant Sir knight de
Channon will take pity on you. won.
der if he warns off all the girls in the
same way, and I'm glad answered him
lust as l did Perhaps that is his way
of storming hearts. But I'll stand by
the compact we've made and prove that
one woman at least can enjoy mans
society and still Withstand his charms.
Never, never win l show the faintest
sign of heart interest. | simply will
not fall in love with Tracey Channon
if l see him every day for 40 years"
Accordingly, during the remainder
Of the season and after their return
to the city, whether Tracey came often
or seldom Annis made him equally vel
come. When he danced attendance on
some belle Of the hour she smiled as
sweetly and remained as cordial as
when he was paying devotion at her
shrine. She had other admirers, but as
they came tentatively, one by one,
found her preoccupied, and saw Chan
mons semipossessive position, they
went their way.
Months rolled by and Tracey grew
apparently absorbed in Annis' society,
more pointedly devoted, more appro-
priatiye. He even showed signs Of con.
templating matrimony seriously and
favorably.
Annis was one day denouncing hus
band Of her acquaintance who, as she
saw II. had manifested indifference &c
his wife's happiness.
"Your ideals are altogether too high,
Tracey protested. ''No ordinary hu
man being would suit you. You are
looking for an angel"
pardon the contradiction, but an
not looking for anything with view
10 matrimony. And l may hold as higl
ideals as please, for / can wait till
| find the man TO fit them. ] am perfect
liz comfortable as ! am, you know.
Il am happy - hear that. But M
man however earnest, will ever dar
10 offer himself 70 YOU. unless you cul
tivate less independence Of manner, al
low me 10 suggest"
This is among the least OF m.
troubles. but II ever ] am seized with
fever for marrying I shall bic me I
some enchanted land where all womei
are above par. even independent ones.
when you are ready to go on tia
quest will you kindly let me know
"Oh. YES, Mr.. Channon, III have
published in an the society papers an
the reason therefor"
When their acquaintance was sons
what more than a year old Tracey wen
away for an indefinite sojourn. Ami
found his absence intolerable. The fl
! ture without him doomed up a drear
: | blank She was consumed with iea
} Gus fear lest another might I'll be
! place in his esteem. lest he might dro
; hers into the list Of byVone frienC
I ships. Her misery and loneliness woul
not be subdued She awoke one morn
! ing to the discovery that she was
!. love She blushed before her miro
shook her fist al In rage. She covere
her face in shame that she had let D,
heart 20 where 81 was not wanted. 81
= could not blame Tracey Chanuon 81
would control herself whatever 81 COS