Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-08-21
FAIRLY WARNED
by Jeanette Nichols Phillips.
(trom the Washington Home Magazine
by Special Permission

city, met for the first time one bright
summer day at certain ocean-side re-
sort. A few evenings later they were
chatting rather confidentially as they
strolled along the beach in the twilight.
lie was saying:
u have never yet found the one ire
slstible woman, and | do not intend
ever to marry. But I'm fond of the la
dles-nice ones-and ! mean to enjoy
their society so long as they are will.
ing to take me in n frank. friendly way
without expecting me to turn lover,
signing like n furnace after few DAYS
Acquaintance.
Here's my hand on that. Mr.. Chan
non. l have long waited to know the
man who isn't studying ones available
ity as a wife, or looking aghast if she
casts a friendly glance in his direc.
ton"
''You and need not be afraid of each
other with such an understanding. need
we?" asked Tracey.
mot in the least. ] shall enjoy YOU
immensely, I know, for though expect
to marry when the right man presents
himself 1 do like to be myself without
constantly standing guard against Low.
ers and proposals"
You can be yourself with me. III
take my own heart risks, Miss Wydc-
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.
able city quarters in winter and select
seaside resorts in summer. AS n 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 un.
susceptible heart should happen to
prove target for Cupid's markham.
ship you will have to make your own
repairs. No gallant Sir Knight de
Channon will take pity Oh you. I won
der if he warns off all the girls in the
same way. and I'm glad answered him
just as l did. Perhaps that is his way
of storming hearts. But III 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 I 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 preoccupied, 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-
priatiyc. He even showed signs OF con-
tcmplating 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
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 matrmony. And may hold as high
ideals as please, for / can wait til |
find the man to fit them. am perfect
" comfortable as am. you know
81 am happy to hear that. But no
man. however earnest, will ever care
to offer himself to you, unless you cul-
tivate less Independence OF manner al
low me to suggest.
"This is among the least OF my
troubles, but if ever I am seized with a
fever for marrying I 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 ~
published in all the society papers ana
the reason therefor"
When their acquaintance was some
what more than year old. Tracey went
away for an indefinite sojourn. AIMS
found his absence intolerable. The 1u-
ture without him doomed Up dreary
blank. She was consumed with Jeal-
Gus fear lest another might fill her
place in his esteem, lest he might drop
hers into the list of bygone friend
ships. Her misery and loneliness would
not be subdued. She aw0ke one morn
ing to the discovery that she was IN
love. She blushed before her mirror