The St. Johns herald., 1901-04-06
FAIRLY WARNED
By Jeanette Nichols Phillips.
F'rom the Washington Home Magazine,

sort. A few evenings later they were
 chatting rather confdentiany as they
 strolled along the beach in the twilight.
 He was saying:
 'I have never yet found the one ire
 sistible woman, and I do not intend
 ever to marry. But I'm fond of the la-
 dies-nice ones-and I mean to enjoy
 their society so long as they are will
 ing to take me in frank, friendly way
 without expecting me to turn lover,
 signing like furnace after few days
 acquaintance.
 Here's my hand on that, MT. Chan
 non. I have long waited to know the
 man who isn't studying ones availabil-
 ity as a wife, or looking aghast if she
 casts friendly glance in his direc-
 tion."
 You and I need not be afraid of each
 other with such an understanding, need
 we?" asked Tracey.
 ''Not in the least. I shall enjoy you
 immensely, know, for though expect
 to marry when the right man presents
 himself, I do like to be myself without
 constantly standing guard against lov-
 CTS and proposals"
 'You can be yourself with me. I'll take my own heart risks, Miss Wyde- man."
 Annis had left her debutante season behind by less than half dozen years. Tracey was older by a 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 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 on you. I won- der if he warns off all the girls in the same way, and I'm glad I answered him just as did. Perhaps that is his way of storming hearts. But I'll stand by the compact we've made and prove that one woman at least can enjoy a man's society and still withstand his charms. Never, never will I show the faintest sign of heart interest. I simply will not fall in love with Tracey Channon if I 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 wei 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 non's semipossessive position, they went their way.
 Months rolled by and Tracey grew absorbed in Annis' society, more pointedly devoted, more appro- priative. He even showed signs of con- templating 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 hu- man being would suit you. You are looking for an angel"
 Pardon the contradiction, but I am not looking for anything with view to matrimony. And may hold as high ideals as please, for can wait till find the man to fit them. l am perfect ly comfortable as I am, you know"
 ''I am happy to hear that. But no man, however earnest, will ever dare to offer himself to you, unless you cul- -ivate less independence of manner, al- low me to suggest"
 "This is among the least of my roubles, but if ever am seized with ,ever for marrying I shall hie me to some enchanted land where all women are above par, even independent ones."
 "When you are ready to go on that luest will you kindly let me know?"
 'Oh, yes, MT. Channon, I'll have it published in all the society papers and he reason therefor"
 When their acquaintance was some what more than year old, Tracey went way for an indefinite sojourn. Annis ound his absence intolerable. The fu- ure without him loomed up a dreary blank. She was consumed with jeal- us fear lest another might fill her lace in his esteem, lest he might drop lers into the list of bygone friend hips. Her misery and loneliness would lot be subdued. Ske awoke one morn ng to the discovery that she was in owe. She blushed before her mirror, hook her fist at in rage. She covered Ter face in shame that she had let her | eart go where it was not wanted. She ould not blame Tracey Channon. She ! -ould control herself whatever it cost. ( D spite of her efforts to forget. the I ainful yearning seized her at times C 0 strongly that she longed to hate the ian that she might be at peace with erself. She reviewed his character nd conduct to find something incom- $ atible, something to arouse her dis ke. A few imperfections presented lemselves, but no other man that she I nd ever known was so nearly blame V ss. On Tracey's return to the city Annis r lied to abate nothing of her old-time V ordiality, but too often self-conscious- c ess congealed it into awkward stiff I ess. Tracey apparently saw no change | nd took their friendship as matter P course, as he had done all along. Q
 GUARD YOUR THOUGHTS. p