Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-06-07
FAIRLY WARNED J
Ny Jeanette Nichols Phillips. !
QFrom the Washington Home Magazine

AANE1 Nn-AN-No-N ANU +AiHls
Wydelnan, residents of the same
city, met for the first time one bright
summer day at a certain ocea inside re-
sort. A few evenings later they were
chatting rather confidentially as they
strolled along the beach in the twilight.
He was saying:
81 have never yet found the one ire
ever to marry. But I'm fond of the Ia
des-nice oncs-and l mean to enjoy
their society so long as they are will
ing to take me in a frank. friendly way
without expecting me to turn lover.
signing like furnace after q few days
acquaintance.
Here's my hand on that, Mr.. Chan
non. I have long waited to know the
man who isn't studying ones available
ity as a wife. or looking aghast if she
casts friendly glance in his direc-
ton"
"You and I need not be afraid of each
other with such an understanding. need
we?" asked Tracey
Not in the least. I shall enjoy you
immensely, / know. for though [ expect
to marry when the right man presents
himself, / do like to be myself without
constantly standing guard against low
ers and proposals.
you can be yourself with me. I'll
take my own heart risks, Miss Wyde-
man."
Annis had left her debutante season
behind by less than half dozen years.
Tracey was older by decade. She
was an orphan of tempting fortune,
and ranged at will between comfort
seaside resorts in summer. AS bach
elor he was Independent as TO fortune.
and inclined to take life easily.
When Annis reached her room after
the twilight STROLL she laughed and said
to herself:
"Now, Miss Wydeman. You have been
fairly warned. and if your rather I'M
susceptible heart should happen to
prove target for Cupid's marlman-
ship you will have to make your own
repairs. No gallant Sir Knight de
Channon will take pity Oh you. ] Won
der if he warns off all the girls in the
same way, and I'm glad answered him
just as ] did. Perhaps that is his way
of storming hearts. But I'll stand by
the compact we've made and prove that
one woman at least can enjoy mans
society and still withstand his charms.
Never. never will / show the faintest
sign of heart interest. / simply will
not fall in love with Tracey Channon
if see him every day for 40 years"
Accordingly, during the remainder
of the season and after their return
to the city. whether Tracey came often
or seldom Annis made him equally well
come When he danced attendance on
some belle of the hour she smiled. as
sweetly and remained as cordial as
when he was paying devotion at her
shrine. She had other admirers. but as
they came tentatively, one by one.
found her preoccnpied, and saw Chan
mons semipossessive position. they
went their way.
Months rolled by and Tracey grew
apparently absorbed in Annis' society.
more pointedly devoted. more appro-
priative He even showed signs Of con-
templating matrimony seriously and
favorably.
Annis was one day denouncing hus-
band of her acquaintance who. as she.
saw it. had manifested Indifference to
his wife's happiness.
''Your ideals are altogether too high. y
Tracey protested ''No ordinary hui
man being would suit you. You are
looking for an angel
"Pardon the contradiction. but am
not looking for anything with view
to mat rimony. And may hold as high
ideals as l please. for can wait till
find the man to fit them. am perfect
" comfortable as am. you know"
~ am happy to hear that. But no
man. however earnest. Will ever dare
to offer himself to YOU. unless YOU cu'-
tivate less independence OF manner. al
low me to suggest.
"rhis is among the least of my
troubles. but if ever am seized Wit, a
fever for marrying ! shall HE me to
some enchanted land where all women
are above par. even independent ones"
"When YOU are ready to go on that
quest will YOU kindly let me know??"
"Oh. yes. Mr.. Channon. I'll have il
published in all the society papers and
the reason therefor
When their acquaintance was some
what more than Il year old, Tracey went
away for an indefinite sojonrn. Annis
found his absence intolerable. The f,i-
ture without him doomed up a drcary
blank. She was consumed with a jeal-
Gus fear lest another might fill her
;c..ace in his esteem: lest he might drorr
rs inio the list of byyone friend
ships Her misery and Ion cliness would
not be suhGued. She awoke one morn
ing to the discovery that she was in
love- She hlushed before her mirror.
shook her fist at in rage, She covered
her face.in shame that she had let her
heart go where it was not wanted. She
could not blame Tracey Channon. She
would control herself whatever it cost.
In spite of her efforts to forget. the
painful yearning seized her at times
so strongly that she longcd to hate the
man that she might be at peace with