The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-03-29

| anu Wuell lelC L WAS Ieauy w aHo"Ci, !,
YES, and wreck his life
Hal, in spite of his brightness and
knowledge, was not at all worldly; to
him, women were-well, "Dolly was
an angel" ard he reasoned no further.
She treated him in an easy, bonne cam
orae7erie manner that rather appealed
to his frank, generous nature, while his
manner toward her was full of ofknightly
courtesy that amused Dolly. That
she intended to make me like her |
could see plainly.
In the course of the evening Miss
Grape came in, and, much to poor Halls
discomfort, after little skirmishing
and general conversation, Miss Seaton
and | drifted into little tete-d tete.
The manner in which she sat near
me, her head resting against one hand
and one little foot peeping out coqLet-
tishly from under her skirts, a suspi-
cion oflace barely visible; the apparent
interest With which she listened to my
most commonplace remarks; her gen.
eral conversation, and hundred and
one otler little incidents, soon con-
vinced me that Miss Dolly Seaton was
a clever, worldly girl, in addition to
being handsome. Ofcourse, we talked
a great deal of Hal: what a delightful
follow he was, how considerate,
thoughtful and eenerous-and-rich!
Not rich," answered her. "He
has money, but think his wealth is
much exaggerated"
with only his pay Mr.. Lannon
would still be very attractive man.
she replied, casting an amused look to-
ward poor Hal, on the other side of the
room, quietly listening with patient
resignation to Miss Grapes stories Of
"When l was abroad
HE doesn't seem very happy just
now," | ventured to remark. "Shall
60 to his reliei?'
"Not just yet" she answered. 81
want to know whether we are to be
friends in the future. know you are
Mr.. Lannon's Damon in the regiment;
that your opinion of a woman is worth
a great deal to him; and l want you
to like me. Not on his account, but
because | think"-and she bent her
face very close to mine-"because l
think our natures are very alike.
Don't start, mon ami; l read people as
We'll as you do-almost. know you've
lived out your own little romance, and
that life is to you simply a matter of
days and nights; l know that you be-
lieve very little in my sex; but l also
know that you are more loyal and just
to us than is hoy in the first flush of
manhood and youthful conceit. You
see, | understand you, and | speak to
you candidly and earnestly" She
spoke in low, intense tone Of voice
almost whisper.
81 don't see why we are not to be
friends" :" managed to reply, in an Or
dinary tone of voice, though her man.
ner had rather startled me. l recog-
nized that she was quite ont Of the or
dinary run of girls and that she had
peculiar fleet or power over me that
quite resented. l appreciated fully
that she flattered me; the remark about
"my opinion and knowledge of women"
was just the one that a clever, worldly
girl would make to put man in excel
lent humor with himself; and yet,
knowing all this, what she said pleased
me, and felt an almost irresistible de-
sire to make fool of myself 1t was
only momentarily, however, for, glanc-
ing up into her face, noticed a look
that completely recalled me to myself.
A few minutes later we were all in
the hall, Miss Grape still talking to
poor Hal, while | babe Miss Seaton
goodbye.
"Friends?' she murmurcd, inquiring-
ly of me, as l held her hand prepara-
tory to saying goodnight.
"Friends!" | answered; and then,
with a gentle, lingering pressure that
sent the blood coursing through my
veins, she released my hand, and we
left the house.
But, my dear fellow, never attend
hops, you know that" | said to Hal,
one morning, about week after our
call on Miss Seaton. IL don't care for
them; they bore me; and-I'm almost
ashamed to confess tiny dress suit
is SO shabby that"
Never mind about that; it isn't
necessary to wear dress suit; you
can come in uniform. | wish you
would, old man. You see, I'm giving
the affair, and it won't seem just right
without you. You'll come, won't you?"
There was no withstanding such a
request, and, though very much against
my inclination, | consented.
Lets see, whom will YOU brne?"
Hal continued, after he had gained his
point ''There's Miss"
"There's Miss Nobody, for me. I'll
stag it, and be bold pirate and rover.
In the first place, I'm taking roll-calls,
and in the second, don't know anyone
sufficiently we'll to ask. I'll drop in
after tattoo and seeing that was