The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-02-23


hard and distinguish myself and all
that, but some how-well, don't know
how it was exactly. There was al
ways so much going on-parties and
football and larks with the boys. And
fellow is never expected to do much
his first year, except the pluge. But
l mean to pull up in the next year,
honest"
They had got around now to the
rustic seat under the naples. Miriam
sat down meekly and Will stood beside
her.
"Look here, Mirry," he said, awk-
wardly, getting very red in the face
even in the dusk, 81 know you're
scared I'm going to make dufer of
myself again this year, but you need
not be. That's what | came out to
tell you. knew you'd be glad"
"Oh!' said Miriam, family.
eyes, was an awful fool last year;
| see it now, just as you said l would.
You were a aegular brick, Mirry, to
be so patient with me, and put up with
my nonsense so long as you did. 1t
would have served me right if you had
snubbed me as l deserved. What
verdant kid you must have thought
me, though you never let on. you
blessed angel. But I've got little
more sense now, | hope. You needn't
be scared of my relapsing into idiocy
again. We can be good friends, as we
always were, but Ill promise to behave
myself
90: course" said Miriam, without
any clear idea of what she was saying.
Say, Mirry, went on Will conf
dentially, give got a picture here /
want to show you, to see what you
think of it. You're a pretty good
judge of faces, l know. I'll strike a
match so yoa can see. There!''
Miriam took the picture in her cold
hand, and looked at it.
"She is very pretty. Who-who is
it, Wil!?"
"Florrie Moore; pretty name, isn't
it? She's the daughter of our professor
of Greek. Not much wonder l got
pinched in it, is it? She's just eigh-
teen, and as sweet as peach. All the
fellows in our class were crazy over
her. Not to boast little bit, though,
Mirry, there wasn't one Of them in it
when was around"
Miriam handed the photograph back
silently. Will went en- undauntedly.
II met her at class party last fall,
lust the week after | went there.
was clean gone from the start, and so
were all the other boys. Tell you, it
was lively going for awhile. But l
got there. Might as we'll tell you the
whole business, Mirry-I know you
won't tell anyone-we're engaged,
Florrie and I. 1t happened just the
day before convocation. We're going
to keep it secret until l 60 back in the
fall. Don't give it away to Kate or
Bob, though, Mirry."
20. course not said Miriam, weari-
ly. Il suppose-I ought to congratu-
late you, Will. You know you have
my-best wishes"
"Thanks, awfully. When you see
Florrie-I'm going to have mother
ask her up next summer, of course
you'll agree with me | am lucky fel-
low. 1t will be such comfort to
have someone to talk to about her
Mirry."
Miriam got up. There were limits
to anyone's endurance, even that of an
old maid on the wrong side of thirty.
| The dew had taken all the crispness
out of her dress. and her hair was I'M
curled; but it did not matter.
81 must go in, | think, she said in
lifeless voice. Its very damp out
here"
Will sprang up repentantly and toss
ed his cigar away.
"Of course it is. What beast |
am to be keeping you out here! You
haven't anything on your head, either.
| Just like me! I'm so selfish when |
get talking about my own affairs. You
are perfect angel to put up with me,
Mirry."
The perfect angel preserved absolute
silence as they walked up the lawn. At
the door Will halted
Guess | won't go in again. Might
not get away very soon if | did, and
I've long letter to write to Florrie to
night. We promised we'd write every
other day. Say goodnight to Mother
North for me. And look here, Mirry!
You have quite forgiven me for tor
menting the life out of you so last sum
mer?"
"Oh! Yes, said Miriam, magnanim-
ously.
II knew you would. Goodnight,
Mirry."
Miriam went in and up stairs. On
the landing she gave little bitter
laugh. She locked herself in her room
and fell on her knees beside the win
dow, sobbing Historically. If Kate
had been there-but, yet, Kate was
not there.
That was the end of Miriam Norths
love affair. The world will tell you
that she never had one.-N. Y. Home
Jurnoi.