The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-06-01
.Like getting your wheel stolen. Do

see you We OUeuueu 0er.
"And you haven't"
"Oh, don't know. l said from the
first you would get your wheel back.
And you told her that and that in
sisted she was thief"
well, yes," admitted guiltily, 81
believe l did,"
"And you think she'll like you any
better for running me DOWN. he ask
ed as sarcastically as he could.
"Who said wanted her to like met"
"Your manner, you conceited ASST
you're the conceited ass, Tommie,
for you think you've made an impress
| sion."
"well, now that you mention it,
hope may have"
"And that haven't"
"Well, yes" Tommie answered hon.
estly.
You think you can by being disa-
| greeableY'
Look here, Fletch. Let's solve for
ourselves that mooted question, Which
way will make the most impression on
girl like that-fattery or brutal
| franknessY
"We may break her heart" said l.
resolved that of us two /, not he, should
1 do the breakage.
Il think she'll look out for that"
Tommie said.
"Or she may break ours" COM
| mented.
We'll risk that" said Tommie.
I'VE may end by disliking each 9TH
| err" / went on.
"Oh. If lose I'll not hold 1t against
you" said Tommy.
But | may against you," said.
Such a tomboy sort of girl, toop'
said Tommie.
II think you wrong her. / have
found some tine qualities
"Oh, you have! Well, you're quick
one," be retorted.
Those dear people who formerly liv.
ed in Arcadia successfully eliminated
| pain and jealousy and rivairy-at least,
| judging from their own accounts. They
| doubtless lied bit about 1t, for in my
own experience am bound to say that
there may be drawbacks even to Ar.
| cadia. My consciousness Of q flaw in
the place began when saw that Tom
mie was absorbing rather too much Of
| her attention felt at first that she
was but leading him on. and then be-
gan to have some grave suspicious,
which. in the light of subsequent expe-
rience, may indeed have been founded
on mere jealousy. Yes, | will say
was jealous. | thought In beginning
this veracious account that | might
! well leave the solution ungiven. like
| the famous riddle Of the lady and the
tiger. or our two systems of tactics.
which was the more likely to win with
| girl like Rose Burton? If Tommie at
times had the better, there were other
days when seemed to be more In her
favor. Once | accused him OF using
my batteries. Of not playing fair. when
he retorted that had known him long
enough to trust him.
You never can trust even your best
| friend when there's a woman In the
case"
Fletcher" said Tommie gravely at
this, that ancient saying is gospel
truth"
From that moment felt that it was
not a fair test case, but. indeed. had
ended by not caring fig about the
test. just wanted to win.
Now. one day the climax OF the situ-
alton was reached In this wise: heard
she had gone wheeling by herself.
| That, of course, was chance. pre-
pared to follow, when who should ap-
pear but Tommie.
(which way? he asked.
II was thinking Of following-hem"-
$50 was l." he said.
"It's ridiculous for US both to follow
her," observed.
''Yes, it is, but I'm not inclined to
turn back. for
"Nor l." said Tommie quietly. "Its
fair to leave it to the wheels. The one
who overtakes her first
''All right" said.
And then began that contest which a
certain Tartar tribe conducts more reg
ularly-a chase for lady. Up and
down hill we scorched: now before,
now Tommie. But 1t was oftener Tom.
mie before than l. He drew away from
me until in sheer spite at my luck and
him gave 1t up. dismounted and wan
dered drearily enough into the wood
and threw myself down and then fell
to laughing when l heard voices-hers
and Tommie's. declare I couldn't
avoid hearing them.
"Ah. | have been chasing a thiefr
he was saying.
"Wiil you never stop teasing meT
she cried. That remark seemed to show
that he had been playing fair after all.
"Will you keep my heart. which you
stole
~That's very silly speech" she said.
l thought so too. Besides, 1t was a
Wheel" she added.
''No; It was the other essential to a
mans comfort"
"Well. If you'll have It so." she said.
AS for me. l turned away. They
didn't notice me. In the evening ven.
tured to say TO her:
'"Ah. I've been congratulating Tom
miev'
HE told your" she said. turning red.
"Ah, yesr' | fibbed. "You know.
thought you thought him-well-rather
disagreeable."
81 did-at first. But-you know be-
lieve that was the reason thought SO
much about him that She paused
In confusion.
''Then it's true that you can make