The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1900-06-08
COMPLICATION

AS l was leaving the Office Baxter
called to me that if l was going to
walk home he would go with me. l
was going to walk, as | always do on
nice days, but l was not anxious for
his company l could not think of
anything that would turn him off,
however, so l replied, with what
heartiness l could summon, "All right.
Come along"
The reason for my not wanting him
or any one else with me was an alb
surd one, and | had the grace to be
ashamed of myself even while ac-
knowledging its weight. For the last
month | had become foolishly in love
with a girl I did not know, and the
only time | saw her was in the after
noon on Michigan avenue, when l was
going back from town and she was
coming down. | did not always meet
her, but | always hoped to when l
left the Office, and l liked to be alone
when passed her. Absurd as it may
seem, another person always seemed
intruding. Therefore l cursed Baxter
inwardly and talked business out
wardly as we left Jackson boulevard
and turned into Michigan avenue
1t was a beautiful autumn after
noon. The grass in the park was still!
green, and fresh, exhilarating
breeze blew in from the lake. She
would certainly not miss such a day
for her walk, | argued, and fixed my
eyes on the stream of people flowing
steadily past me on the walk, trying
to catch a glimpse of trim figure in
a gray walking suit.
l had often wondered where she
went every afternoon, and even plan
ned to follow her; but was positive
ly timid for once, and afraid to make
any advance which would give meS
information about my unknown. Pos
sibly she went to meet and walk back
with lover, a brother of a husband.
| was rather inclined to the brother
idea, THOUGH | don't know why. She
did not look married, and why should
such a girl care enough for any man
to go to meet him and walk home
with him? No, was convinced that
no such fortunate creature existed.
She wore a black hat, tilted over
her forehead, and she always gave
me a quick, comprehensive look from
under it, as we passed. AS for me, l
fixed my eyes on her and never tool,
them off until she had gone by; it
was only by superhuman effort of
will power that I did not turn and
stare after her.
We usually met near 18th street,
but to-day we had reached 18th and
l had given up hope, when | saw her
coming toward us Baxter was tell
ing me some troubles of his, for be-
lieve he mistook my silence for SYM
pathy. l was thinking that | had
never seen woman walk as she did,
with just the suggestion of a swing,
and her head held high. There was a
freedom of movement about her that
must bespeak a mind vigorous and
active-a whole personality thorough
ly attractive. | have forgotten to say
that her face was distractingly pretty.
We were nearly opposite to her be-
fore Baxter saw her, at the same mo-
ment that she saw him. She bowed
and smiled had never seen her
smile beforehand just one little
corner of that one belonged to me.
and with it the swiftest of glances
that set my heart beating idiotically.
Suddenly | realized that my talka.
tive companion had not spoken a
word since his muttered; "How-do-
you-do?" | looked at him. His face
was profoundly gloomy.
ftNXrbof'c
felt good-natured enough to talk to
any one, and | suddenly conceived a
g at interest in Baxter. He could tell
me who she was-perhaps be the
means in time of my meeting her.
did you see that girl | bowed to
just now?" he said.
"The one in gray? Yes, l noticed
her."
well, that's she. She's the one"
What one? Whom are you talking
about?" | was at loss to account
for his tone of gloomy emphasis.
"The girl | was telling you about.
Funny we should have met her lust
as finished. Well, you can see for
yourself that she Is pretty"
l looked at Jim Baxter in absolute
"When did you tell me this history
you are abiding to?" ! spoke calmly
but was agitated. There was some.
thing the matter with one of us and
the effect of my question on Jim
showed that there was no question in
his mind as to which Of us 1t was.
when did | tell you? For heavens
sake, Ray, do you mean to tell me
that you haven't heard what I've been
saying for the last mile? You had
better consult specialist II you are
subject to such attacks of mental
alteration"
81 didn't hear word" said,
humbly. ITO tell the truth, | was
thinking so hard Oil a certain subject
that my mind was incapable of TAX
ing in anything else. Tell me again
and swear you'll have my undivided
attention"
'Thanhs, but won't trouble you.
That isn't the sort of story man
cares about dwelling on, you know.
And, come to think of 1t, it's better
that no one should know about the
business anyway" -
In vain assured him of my interest
In his affairs, of my desire and ability
to help him If he needed help,: he