The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-05-23
A SLIGHT COMPLICATION.

H 0ll0lil UUlYll ll6h llUhI
As / was leaving the office Baxter
called to me that if 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 any
thing that would turn him off, how.
ever, so 1 replied, with what hearth
ness / could summon: "All right.
Come along.n
The reason for my not wanting him
or anyone else with me was an absurd
one, and had the grace to be asham-
ed of myself even while acknowledge
ing its weight. For the last month |
had become foolishly in love with a
girl did not know, ard the only time
1 saw her was in the afternoon on
Michigan avenue, when / was going
back from town and she was coming
down. did not always meet her, but
| always hoped TO when left the office
and liked to be alone when | passed
her. Absurd as it may seem, another
person always seemed intruding.
Therefore I cursed Baxter inwardly
and talked business outwardly as we
left Jackson Boulevard and turned into
Michigan avenue.
1t was beautiful autumn afternoon.
The grass in the park was still green,
and fresh, exhiiarating breeze blew
in from the lake. She could certainly
not miss such day for her walk,
argued, and fixed my eyes on the
stream of people flowing steady past
me on the walk, trying to catcA
glimpse Of a trim figure in gray walk
ing suit.
/ had often wondered where she went
every afternoon and even planned to
follow her, but / was positively timid
for once, and afraid TO make an ad-
vance which would give me infornia-
ton about my unknown. Possibly she
went to meet and walk back with a
lo7er, brother or 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 meet
him and walk home with him? No, /
was convinced that no such fortunate
creature existed.
She wore black hat, tilted over her
forehead, and she always gave me a
quick, comprehensive look from under
it as we passed. AS for me, fixed my
eyes on her and never took them off
until she had gone by; it was only by
superhuman effort of will lower that |
did not turn and stare after her.
We usually met near Twelfth street,
but to-day we had reached Sixteenth
and had given up hope, when saw
her coming toward US. Baxter was
telling me some troubles of his, for be-
lieve he mistook my silence for sym
pathy. / was thinking that / had
never seen woman walk as she did,
with just suggestion of swing, and
her head held high. There was free
dom of movement about her that must
oespeak mind vigorous and active
a whole personality thoroughly attract
i've. have forgotten to say that her
face was distinctly pretty.
We were nearly opposite tC her be-
fore Baxter saw her, at the same mo-
ment that she saw him. Size bowed
and sIniled-I 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 to
beating idiotically.
Suddenly 1 realized that my talka-
tive companion had not spoken a word
since his muttered "How-do-you-do ?"
| looked at him. His face was pro-
foundly gloomy.
whats the matter ?" l asked. L
felt good natured enough to talk to any
one, and suddenly conceived a grt at
interest ia Baxter-he could tell me
who she was-perhaps be the means in
time Of my meeting her.
Ibid you see that girl bowed to
just now?r he asked.
"The one in gray? Yes, 1 noticed
her.
"Well, that's she /; that's the one"
"What one? Whom are you talk
ing about?r l was at loss to account
for his tone of gloomy emphasis,
"The girl l was telling you about.
Funny we should have met her just as
l finished. Well, you can see for your
self that she is pretty"
/ looked at Jim Baxter in absolute
amszement
"When did you tell me this history
you are alluding to?" i spoke calmly,
but / was agitated. There was some
thing the matter with one of US, and
the effect of my question on Jim show
ed that there was no question in his
mind as to which of US it was.
"When did l tell you? For heavens
sake, Ray, do you mean TO tell me that
you haven't heard what I've been say
ing for the last mile? You had better
consult specialist if you are subject to
such attacks of mental alteration
~ didn't hear word" I said hum
bly,. ITO tn the truth. was think
ing so hard on q certain subject that
my mind was incapable Of taking any
thing else. Tell me again, and l swear
vouflI have my, ipdiuidual affartio, "