Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-21

own experience am Douno 70 Day toet
there may be drawbacks even to Ar
cadla- Ny consciousness Of Q 6aw In
the place began when saw that Tom.
mie was absorbing rather too much Of
her attention. I felt at Hrst that she
was but leading him on, and then be-
gan to have some grave suspiciOns,
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
q girl like Rose Burtonf II Tommle 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
be retorted that had known him long
enough to trust him.
"You never can trust even your beet
friend when there's . woman IN tine
case"
FLETCHER" said Tommie graveiy at
this. that ancient saying 10 gospel
truth"
From that moment ! felt that II was
not fair test case. but indeed. had
ended by not caring q 6g about the
test. just wanted to win.
Now. Que day the climax Of the stu.
alton was reached In this wise: I heard
she had gone wheeling by herself.
That, OF course. was q chance. ! pre-
pared to follow. when who should ap
pear but Tommie.
(which wayY he asked.
II was thinking Of following-hem"-
$50 was l." he said.
''Its ridiculous for N both to follow
her," observed.
"Yes. II Is. but I'm not inclined to
turn back. for
"N0r l." said Tommie quietly. "its
fair to leave II to the wheels. The one
who overtakes her drst"-
IAN right" I said.
And then began that contest which
certain Tartar tribe conducts more reg.
ularly-a chase for q lady. Up and
down hill we scorched; now ! before.
now .rommIe. But II was oftener Tom
mie before than |. He drew away from
me until In sheer spite at my luck and
him ! gave II up. dismounted aud wan
dered drearIly enough Into the wood
and threw myself down and then fell
to laughing when ] heard voices-hers
and Tommie's. I declare ] couldn't
avoid hearing them.
"Ah. I have been chasing . thIefr'
he was saying.
"Will you never stop teasing mer'
she cried. That remark seemed to show
that he had been playing fair after all.
"wIil you keep my heart which you
stole
THAT'S very silly speech" she said.
| thought 30 too. Besides. II was q
Wheel" she added.
mo; II was the other essential to .
mans comfort"
"well. II you'u have II So" she said.
As for me. ! turned away. They
didn't notice me. In the evening ven-
tured to say to her:
"Ah, I've been congratulating Tom.
miew
"He told your she said. turning red.
"Ah. yesw I nbbed. "You know. l
thought you thought him-well-rather
disagreeable."
al did-at frst. But-you know be-
lieve that was the reason I thought 90
much about him that She paused
In confusion.
''Then It's true that you can make
more Of an impression on . girl BY be-
Ing disagreeable to her than by natter-
Ing herY
"Oh, I don't know" she said.
I don't believe she did.
Now. don't think that am still nurs-
ing q broken heart. am too old .
bachelor not to know there are many
GOOD fsh In the sea