Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1901-04-20
A FINGER OF FATE.

,i0red the fact. l suppose l was really
very bad company
They called her Il lirt My beautiful
Gertrude a flirt, And l could not but
acknowledge that they were not altogeth-
,r wrong. But then, Gertrude Dixon is
fascinating, with Il pair Of sparkling
brown eyes, and appie-blossom complex
len, and the voice Of a song bird. Are
rhev not sufficient attributes to the pas
time OF flirting:
And throughout it all l felt that she
really cared for me. True. she tlirted
but sometimes in Il serious vein. Always,
however, she laughed me off when | APP
preached her with my heart in my hand
And | went away more detected than
My best friend, Phil Mason. admon.
ished me; but in vain. Cant you see
she's a lirt, old man"' said he.
only smiled.
Il 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 l, that was the
best thing you ever did for me-
He shrugged his shoulders and NUT
tered something inaudibly.
Il hate to see man fooled by WON
an said he.
You misiudge her, Phil" I answered
quickly. 4 know her better than you
well, my mother has asked her down
to WoOdley, and as you are coming with
us, perhaps things may happen. Per-
hapsi" And he laughed
Phil was very much my friend. and
was almost to" eager TO help me
| picked up my small Gladstone and
began measuring it.
Whatever are you doing?" asked
Phil.
Miss Dixon admires this very much,
so l am going to buy her one just like
it," | answered.
You waste lot of money" he
laughed.
He went out with me, however ana
we succeeded in purchasing Il bag identl-
cal with my own.
1t was a week later that Miss Dixon
and we two travelled down to Woodley
together, My suit had scarcely pros
pered meanwhile. She encouraged me
without seeming to, but with the Ut
most dcXterty avoided anything ap-
preaching Il proposal.
Phil said she played on me more than
ever. There was no doubt she t1irted
with others, too. l knew it, even while
[ felt. and she almost let me know, that
was the favored one.
She had accepted the bag | bought for
her with so good of you, Harry and
had it now with her. For me to buy it
seemed to be as natural as for her to
accept 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 2"
"Im not Doctor" she laughed.
But you know the cure" he persisted.
''What is it," she asked.
"A fitting reward
You are really obscure" she said
"Then will you not take up the case?'
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"
Il WILL" he smiled. but | think I'll
retain finger" And he kept his word.
At the station Phil took charge of our
two bags and lis own, and we walked
down to Woodley together
About an hour later | was sitting alone
in the shrubbery when l heard foot
step, and Miss Dixon came up TO me.
I've been looking for you,' she said,
quietly.
i wish had known" 1 answered.
And then l noticed that she looked
very serious.
rs there anything the matter? Can
help you?" / asked.
Can you ask" She said, almost scorn-
fully
Il should consider it a privilege"
Indeed She laughed.
known each other a long while
But little, it seems" she interrupted
1T may be-" l retorted. quickly. that
know little of you, but have loved you
Tor all ! am worth
Really" she said. sarcastically.
i do not understand" / stammered
Why do you speak like that?"
An, Why OF course have no right.
Miss DiXon--Gertrude," l burst out.
Sir. she said, sharply.
waited to hear no more, and looked
eyeids.
L had thought" she said. that there
was one man who was truthful and hon
st, | had-ah! but what does it mat
Her lip trembled. l caught her hand
IN mine, but she quickly withdrew it.
Gertrude" | whispered.
And you can still pretend" she said.
hagGghtily, that you care for me?''
Your honor" she laughed II like
mat. All. And believed in YOU
Hhe did really care for me, then. l was
"l hef side IN an instant
No. sir She waved me away. ''You
may keep your honor. Perhaps you can
reconcile at with this" and She handed
me small packet
FOR me?" / muttered
said.
She stood looking at me while l undid
me packet, which contained the photo
sfaPh of pretty girl and several letters
don't understand why you have Civ
en- these to me-" / said. at last
MOI she queried. II didn't expect
you would
Then why"
Why have | done so?"
Yes"
admit it was foolish" she said. Il
oppose | could hardly expect you to &C.
erpt them honestly"
Accept them? They are not mine.
Nl9W nothing about them"
ma. she laughed. II knew you
would say that
waited, wondering.
After ALL can't say your taste is so
very had, she continued
What do you meant