The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-03-06
* TWO *
ALTERNATIVES
By W. Bert Foster
By W. Bert Foster
Copyright, 1902. by the

" y
and now, Jack, what can do? He
follows me everywhere. and he stands
around and Ogles me with that detest
able baby stare of his, and-and
you're laughing, Jack. You are rs
mean as you can he to laugh when /
rome TO you for advice"
Esther stamped her foot. Jack Ornis
by leaned against the vcranda railiI@
and watched her with amused eyes.
II can't help smiling, Esther, but |
can appreciate the irritation poor Hal
lowell must cause YOU"
'Irritation" \ world of empha>i,
entered into the word. And just ! ,
cause | was foolish enough to let h
propose to me- she walled.
"Well. of course" Jack said SLOWLY
you must expect to have your scalp
cost You IL little something. Essie.''
He doesn't say anything" exclaim"&
the girl. "If he did, it would give mr
chance to tell him what | think of HI
logging my footsteps everywhere"
1T certainly is Il case Of the villain
still pursued her." Ormsby said. "What
do you want me to do, Essie-call him
out and plug him full Of holes:"
Ugh. Don't he so vulgar. l don't
want you to do anything but tell me
what to do to get rid of him."
Jack was almost the only man she
knew we'll who had not proposed 10
her. Men mad fallen before her charms,
Il nd
said it rather we'll, she had to admit Ia
herself, and gone their way, and until
now no man had really been able 10
trouble her serenity.
DO think of something, Jack" she
pleaded. Its been three months HOW
since he-he"-
'Since he said the mOmentOus words
which made him-not yours. eh:" And
Ormsby laughed. but his hands trcm
bed as he shifted the cane little.
Don't he absurd. lie doesn't want
me any more than other men do"
"Whew. Your serene conceit is GER
tainly charming, Essie."
Don't be unkind You know it's
true" she said calmly. Any woman
with fluffy hair and blue eyes can
bring men to her feet. Only you don't
get foolish and propose to me, Jack
NO, l don't propose to YOU he
said quite calmly.
and that's why like YOU
Then I'll try not 10 make you dis
like Inc. But what can do to poor
HaIlowell: y cat may look at Il
king But Esther interrupted snap
pishly.
That's no reason why calf should
look ut me all the timc-'
Poor girl! You're finding it mighty
hard getting away from the consc-
quences of your own sin, eh:'
What sin have l coInmitted?' she
demanded, with conscious innocence.
rs it 4 sin to refuse to marry Il main
you don't WANT"
Moo. But how about-well, not eN-
actly leading him on to proposing
but
She favored him with Il frigid look.
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Ormsby," she
observed.
We'll. you needn't" he said quietly.
you expect plain talk from people
whose advice you ask, don't you: No
man will ever ask Il woman to marry
him if she doesn't give him the oppOr-
tunity."
That is different; but such remarks
as you are making now are hardly in
the nature of advice. lack"
- 7 rt1trrl.
you can do" he drawled, and his eyes
began to twinkle. There seem to he
but two courses to pursue, and two
only
"Oh, here's your Sultan and the run
about" suddenly cried Esther, clap
ping her hands and springing up. Are
you going TO take me to ride, jack
well, it's what 1 came around for,
but your tale of woe about knocked it
out of my head"
The negro from the stable leapcd
out and held the big bays head. Es-
Their ran down to the gate, forgetting
the bcrufIlrd parasol lying on the We
randa. Ormsby followed lazily.
Feeling pretty gay, isn't he. Jack
SOM" he asked, pulling on glove and
looking at Sultan, who danced charm
ingly to the accompaniment of littl"
squeals of delight from Esther.
Yes, sab; he do. sah."
"Hop in, Essie." Ormsby said, hold
ing out his hand to assist her Then
he added. Speaking of angels, there's
Iallowell now"
4 fresh faced young fellow cantcrcd
by on fine horse and lifted his hat
seriously. \ little way beyond he
pulled in the animal and dismounted
as though he would come back to speak
to the couple 1T the runabout.
do hurry up" exclaimed Esther un-
der her breath What shall | do to
get rid of him, Jack? You said there
were two ways What are they"
We'll" and Ormsby buttoncd the
glove slowly and put one foot on til"
step of the runabout. you might mar