Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1900-11-15


by Special Permission)
TRACEY CHANNON and Annis
Wydeman, residents OF the same
city, met for the first time one bright
summer day at a certain ocean-side re-
sort. A few evenings later they were
chatting rather confidentially as they
strolled along the beach in the twilight.
He was saying:
81 have never yet found the one ire
sistible woman, and | do not intend
ever to marry. But I'm fond OF the la
dies-nice ones-and | mean to enjoy
their society so long as they are will
ing to take me in frank, friendly way
without expecting me to turn lover,
signing like furnace after few days
acquaintance.
'lIere's my hand on that, Mr.. Chan
non. have long waited to know the
man who isn't studying ones available
ity as wife, or looking aghast If she
casts a friendly glance in his direc-
ton"
you and need not be afraid Of each
other with such an understanding, need
we?" asked Tracey.
Not 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 low
ers and proposals"
"You can be yourself with me. I'll
take my own heart risks. Miss Wyde-
man"
Annis had left her debutante season
behind by less than half dozen years.
Tracey was older by decade. She
was an orphan OF tempting fortune,
and ranged at will between comfort
able city quarters in winter and select
seaside resorts In summer. As bach
clor 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 II your rather un-
susceptible heart should happen TO
prove a target for Cupid's markham.
ship you will have to make your own
repairs. No gallant Sir Knight de
Chonuon will take pity on you. won
der II he warns or all the girls in the
same way, and I'm glad answered him
just MS 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 a mans
society and still withstand his charms.
Never, never will show the faintest
sign OF heart interest, | simply will
not fall in love with Tracey Channon
II | 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 well
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. lie even showed signs Of CON
templating matrimouy seriously and
favorably.
Anus was one day denouncing hus-
band Of her acquaintance who, as she
saw 1t, had manifested indifference to
his wiie's happiness.
"Iour 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 am
not looking for anything with view
to matrimouy, And may hold as high
ideals as please, for | can wait till |
find the man TO IL them. am perfect
ly comfortable as am, you know"
81 am happy TO hear that. But no
man, however earnest, will ever dare
TO offer himself to YOU, unless you cul-
tivate less independence OF manner, al
low me TO suggest
"rhis is among the least Of my
troubles, but II ever am seized with a
fever for marrying shall HE me to
some enchanted land where all women
are above par, even independent ones"
when You are ready to go on that
quest will you kindly let me know"
"Oh, yes, MIR. Channou, I'll have Il
published In all the society papers and
the reason therefor
when their acquaintance was some
what more than year old, Tracey went
away for an indefinite soiourn Anuis
found his absence iuiolerable. The fu-
ture without him loomcd mp a dreary
| blank. She was consumed with joAl-
Gus fear lest another might III her
place in his esteem, lest he might drop
hers into the list ot byEoue friend
ships. Her misery and loneliness would
not he subdued. She awoke one morn
/ ing 20 the discovery that she was In
/ love. She bluShcd before her mirror,
shook her fist at In rage She covered
U NNA law lN 0iAAAN ANAA NNf NAN ANN NNl
I heart 20 where Il was not wanted, She
could not blame Tracey Chanu6n. She
would control herself whatever It cost.
In spite of her efforts TO forget the
| painful yearuiag seized her at times
so strongly that she longcl TO hate the
man that she might he az peace with
herself She reviewed his character
and conduct to find something pcom.
I patible, something to arouse her dis.
like. \ few impertectious presented
I themselves, but no other man that She
had ever known VAS so nearly blame.
/ less.
On rracey's return 20 the city Annis
! tried TO abate nothing OF her old.time
cordiality, but too often self-conscious.
ness eongealed Il into awkward stiir.
S7gS TNVts NcNsvsn,lv saw nochnner