Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-07-10
A FINGER OF FATE
A Story of Interference
Between Lovers.


very bad company.
They called her a firt. My beautiful
Gertrude a firt! And l could not but ac-
knowledge that they were not altogether
wrong. But then Gertrude Dixon is fas-
chatting, with pair of sparkling brown
eyes, an apple blossom complexion and
the voice Of song bird. Are they not
Isuficient attributes to the pastime Of
flirting?
And throughout it all felt that she
really cared for me. True, she flirted,
but sometimes in serious vein. Always,
however. she laughed me off when l ap-
preached her with my heart in his hand,
and went away more detected than ever.
My best friend, Phil Mason, admon-
ished me, but in vain. Cant you see
she's Il flirt, old man?' said he.
l only smiled.
II feel kind Of responsible, too" he
added ''If / hadn't introduced you to
her. there would have been none of this
bother.''
MY dear Phil" said 1, "that was the
best thing you ever did for me-"
He shrugged his shoulders and NUT
tered something inaudibly.
II hate to see man fooled by wom-
an" said he.
you misjudge her, Phil" l answered
quickly. 81 know her better than you
do"
"Well. my mother has asked her down
to Woodley, and as you are coming with
me perhaps things may happen. Per-
haps!" And he laughed.
Phil was very much my friend and was
almost too eager to help me.
picked mp my small Gladstone and be-
gan measuring it.
whatever are You doing?" asked Phil.
Miss Dixon admires this very much,
so / am going to buy her one just like it."
answered.
"You waste lot Of money" he laugh
ed.
He went out with me. however, and we
succeeded in purchasing u bag identical
with my own.
It was week later that Miss Dixon
and we two Travelled down to Woodley
together My suit had scarcely prospered
meanwhile. She encouraged me without
seeming to, but with the utmost dexter
ity avoided anything approaching pro-
posal.
Phil said she played on me more than
ever. There was no doubt she firted
with others too. ! knew it, even while l
felt and she almost let me know that l
was the favored one.
She had accepted the bag l bought for
her with $50 good of you, Harry" and
had it now with her. For me to buy it
seemed to be as natural as for her to ac-
cept. 1t meant nothing.
In the railway carriage Phil was sar-
castle, almost rude.
"Hal has the blues" he said to her,
nodding at me. "Why don't you cure
him."
"I'm not DOCTOR" she laughed.
"But you know the cure" he persisted.
"What is itr' she asked.
"a fitting reward"
"You are really obscure" she said.
''Then viii you not take up the caseT'
he TESTED.
"You are evidently familiar with it and
should be the DOCTOR" she retorted.
She had the best Of it. and l smiled at
her victory.
"He will not take my advice" said Phil.
"Then you must leave him to fate"
81 win" he smiled. "but think I'll re-
tain fnger'' And he kept. his word. At
the station Phil took charge of our two
DuSs anu oNh, anu w "NN NN''
to Woodley together.
About an hour later was sitting alone
in the shrubbery when heard footstep.
and Miss Dixon came up to me.
-.'I've been looking for you," she said
= quietly.
81 wish had known" | answered.
Then | noticed that she looked very Sc
rious.
10 no rpaffarY Gan Il
hei1, you?" | asked.
scan YOU ask?" she said, almost scorn-
fully.
II should consider II a privilege"
s'Indeed, She laughed.
'Miss Dixon" | began. 1--WE have
known each other long while
"But little. it seems" she interrupted.
at may be-" retorted quickly. "that
know little of you. but l have loved you
for ALI | am worth"
ssReally," she said sarcastically.
81 10 not understand" l stammered.
"Why do you speak like that?
"Ah, why? or course have no right
ssNfiss Diyon-Gertrude," l burst out.
"Sirv' she said sharply.
/ waited to hear no more and looked at
, her face, where tear fingered on her
cyt
va had thought" she said, ''that there
was one man who was truthful and hon
est. / had-ah. but what does it matterr'
Her lip trembled. caught her hand In
mine, but she quickly withdrew it.
"Gertrude," | whispered.
sand you can still pretend" she said
haughtily. that you care for me!'
"0n my honor"
"Your honor,' she laughed. Il like
that. All. And l believed in your
She did really care for me, then l was
at her side in an instant.
"No. sir" She waved me away. "You
may keep your honor. Perhaps you can
reconcile it with this. And she handed
me small packet.
.sFor me?' muttered.
ST put the paper around them" she
said.
She stood looking at me while undid
the packet, which contained the photo