People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1900-02-22
1T WAS ONLY A GIRL.

Strangely contrasted were these two
friends; one dark and handsome, the other
manly aud fair
The latter Charles Gordon, the only son
Of a wealthy banker, was spending the sum.
mer at Hotel Rose in NJ, and, at his ear.
nest request, Gerald Austin, an orphan and
heir to a large fortune, had come to help him
pass away the time.
The two men had been college chums for
the four years Of their college lie, and were
much ike two brothers. For this reason
Charles felt free to talk as lie pleased to
Gerald, and desired to do all that was pos
Eble to break the spell a girls face had
made on his friend. 1t looked very much a.
though Gerald was the one who needed
companionship and some one to help hin
pass away the time just then instead of the
friend he had come to visit.
At the opening OF our story they were
walking together along the garden path tina,
led to the hotel where they were staying
Charlie all aglow with excitement, Gerald
deep in thought. That evening there was to
be a grand ball given in honor Of certain
Miss Howard, the daughter OF a multi-mil
ionaire, to which they had both been in.
vited, and Charlie, in his eagerness to see
the new debutante, had sought to arouse his
friend from the revere into which he had
fallen
But his best efforts in that line seemed
Of no avail, for Gerald took but little notice
Of them, and for some time walked in ST.
lence toward the hotel. When he spoke il
was not the answer Charles had desired.
"I'm afraid I've already done it" was
Gerald's only reply to his friends entreaty
to "brace up" and, relapsing into his quiet
mood, together they entered the hotel.
That evening they both received an intro
duction to Miss Howard. She was rather
tall, with light curly hair, laughing blue eyes
and a charm Of manner that was evident ia
all.
She was the belle Of the evening, and had
every man in the hall at her side when the
least occasion offered the desired oppor.
tunity, but of all of them Charles feared
only one, his friend, Gerald Austin. If the
chaEYs Of Miss Howard should cause him to
forget the girl whose face was haunting him
he would be dangerous rival.
Charlie at once directed his gaze to hi,
friend, for well he knew what dangerou;
rival he had in Gerald Austin. He found
that face as handsome and impassive as ever,
but there was faraway look in those dark
eyes that plainly stated his thoughts.
Where is Gerald? Why is he so inatten.
tive tonight? All! Eva Howard, with all
her charms, with all her millions, could not
shut out from him the face that haunted
him day and night. Twice, and twice only,
had he gazcd on that countenance, but it had
left its imprint on his heart. Twice, and
twice only; once at a picnic given by the
proprietor of the hotel, and once, ah! how
bis thoughts ran back TO the previous even.
ing when, on returning from the post office
he had picked up a dainty white handker'
chief, and on looking around for the owner
he saw walking before him, at a slow pace,
a slight but graceful figure. He Quickened
his steps, and on coming up to the object Of
his attention quietly said: Pardon me,
hut did you not drop this? picked it up
down the road"
She turned quickly and Gerald fell back,
startled by the rare beauty pictw cd n the
face that confronted him. She too; the ker.
chief, thanked him in a low, sweet voice, ard
started onward, when Gerald, stirred by
sudden impulse, begged to be allowed to see
her home.
For a moment only she gazed at him, and
then, as if fully convinced that she could
trust lin, accepted bis profcred arm, and
together they continued the journey home
ward.
From her own lips he learned that she
was Margaret Knowlton and was spending
the summer with her aunt in the little While
cottage at the bend Of The road, which Ger.
aid in his rapture did not see lying before
them.
Eyes Of the deepest azure gazed into his a;
she thanked him for his kindness, while
Gerald, enchanted, drank in the exquisite
loneliness Of her countenance.
On leaving her at the gate he expressed 6
desire to meet her again, and, bidding heI
good night" went away, leaving his heart
behind him.
Next morning while walking he confded
his secret to Charles, who, unknown TO Ger
aid, had already met Miss kDowton, and,
instead Of receiving the consolation he
sought, Charlie had put him off, saying:
"She's only a girl, Gerald, just passed Is"
and urged his friend 10 forget her.
The ball had no charm for Gerald, and
Miss Howard, after vainly endeavoring 10
draw his attention, had contented herself
with Mr.. Gordon, who was already vic.
tim Of Cupid.
Charles was greatly irritated at his friends
behavior, though at the same time he was
secretly glad that at least he would not have
him for rival, knowing that if Gerald chose
to display his charms he (Charlie) would
have to take the background.
Those magnificent eyes were enough to
enlighten any heart, ard many were the
maidens that longed for a smile from that
beautifully curved mouth; but for them
Gerald cared naught. Only a girl, as his
friend had told him, but Margaret Knowl-
ton, be she girl or woman, had captured
Gerald Austin's heart.
Four months have now passed and Gerald
has met Miss Knowlton again and again. 1t
is calm August evening, and be has deter
mined to learn his fate.
Together they stroll in the twilight. Tbs
moon peeping from behind the bill sheds its
soft, mellow light upon them, while the
roguish stars twinkle with merriment as
they eagerly listen to catch those few brief
words that mean so much. Softly are they
waited on the still night air, as Gerald al
most unconsciously whispers: Margaret,
l love YOU
Sacred is the silence that follows. Tie