The St. Johns herald., 1901-03-23
FAIRLY WARNED
By Jeanette NichOI. Phillips.
From the Washington Home Magazine
 by Special Permission.)

by Special Permission-)
 TRACEY CHANNON and Annis
 Wydeman, residents of the same city. met for the first time one brlgnt summer day at certain ocean-sloe re- sort. A few evenings later they were chatting rather confdentialy as they stroued along the beach in the twilight. He was saying:
 "T 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 1 mean to enjoy their society so long as they are wil- inc to take me in frank, friendly way without expecting me to turn lover, signing like a 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 wife, or looking aghast if she casts a friendly glance in his direc- tion."
 'You and need not be afraid of each other with such an understanding, need we?" asked Tracey.
 g J immensely, IknoW, for though expect to marry when the right man presents himself, 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." r @
 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 winterand select seaside resorts in summer. As bach elor be was independent as 10 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 a 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. l 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 mans 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 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 Cham mons semipossessiVe position, they 5 went their way.
 Months rolled by and Tracey grew apparently 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 fu- man being would suit you. You are looking for an angel"
 Pardon the contradiction, but 1 am not looking for anything with view 10 matrimony. And may hold as high ideals as I please, for l can wait till l find the man to fit them. l am perfect ly comfortable as l 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- tivate less independence of manner, all low me to suggest"
 "This is among the least of my troubles, but if ever am seized with fever 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 quest will you kindly let me know?"
 "Oh, yes, Mir. Channon, I'll have it published in all the society papers and the reason therefor"
 When their acquaintance was some what more than year old, Tracey went away for an indefinite sojourn. Annis found his absence intolerable. The fu- ture without him loomed up a dreary blank. She was consumed with a jeal- ous 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 awoke one morn ing to the discovery that she was in love. She blushed before her mirror. shook her fist at in rage. She covered her face in shame that she had let her heart go where it was not wanted. She could not blame Tracey Channon. She would control herself whatever it cost. In spite of her efforts to forget. the painful yearning seized her at times so strongly that she longed to hate the man that she might be at peace with herself, She reviewed his character and conduct to find something incom- patible, something to arouse her dis like. few imperfections presented themselves, but no other man that she had ever known was so nearly blame less.
 On Tracey's return to the city Annis tried to abate nothing of her old-time cordiality, but too often self-conscious- ness congealed it into awkward stiff