Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1903-04-24

y cloud Of tobacco smoke,
for all the world like the
SIN lost in a fog. This was not an
unusual phenomenon, certainly, but the
fact that my generally irrepressible
friend had been in my room ten min
utes and had neither smiled nor at
tempted any of the atrocious puns for
which he was justly infamous, was a
hitherto unknown state of things.
whats the matter with you, old
MANI" 1 queried. The cloud of smoke
became denser, threatening total
ECLIPSE. Nothing" came presently
from the blueness, "at least nothing
you would care to hear about
Il like that" 1 replied, little
touched at his manner. "Since when
have 1 been in the habit of passing
by on the other side,' like what's his
name in the parable, and you in trou-
ble:"
Cant say you ever did" said Stub,
removing his pipe, ''but it isn't-er-or-
dinary trouble; 1 suppose L may as
well tell you, though-I'm in love"
IN love-" l echoed, beginning to
laugh. SIS that all? l imagined from
your looks that you We're about to be
hanged. Was there ever a time when
YOU were not in love-with some one?
Who is it this time?"
you needn't laugh" said Mr.. Van
Alan, Indignantly. "Thls isn't a joke
I'm in dead earnest"
"Who is it," l demanded, seriously.
"Helen Lorrington," said Stub, dart
ing queer glance at me. If he had
suddenly hurled chair at my head
it would have dumfounded me less. |
became interested all at once in look
ing out of the window. l wasn't anx-
ious for Stub to see my face.
1t was no joke, as he had said-to
me, at all events. l had been in love
with Miss Lorrington for two years,
madly, hopelessly; fluttering about her
beautiful stately presence, as the pro-
verbal moth about the candle fame
and with about the same result. |
enemies, of lacking nerve; but some
how, under the spell Of Miss Lorring-
toms gray eyes, l could never screw
up my courage to the sticking point
and put my fate to the touch. l had
fancied at times that Helen was not
altogether Indifferent. There had been
a memorable day on the links that
she-however, at other times I was
miserably certain that had no chance.
"Of course,"-Stub was speaking
81 know she's much too good for me;
shes better, nobler than"
Have you said anything to herr" 1
managed to say. l knew how perfect
the lady of my heart was without
Samuel Peyton Van Alan's telling me.
NO" he said, ruefully; IL can't
Whenever I'm with her 1 feel like an
overgrown boy and nearly make an
idiot of myself; she has a way of look
ing into fellows soul, with those big
eyes of hers, that makes him think OF
his sins" / made no comment; | uu-
derstood perfectly.
Look here, Ken" said Stub, as If
suddenly struck with q bright idea.
''You and Hel-Miss Lorrington-are
great friends, aren't you? | remember
hearing her say once that Kenneth
Sears was one of the incest men shire
knew. Why can't you - er - er- sort
of say word for me? Tell her how it
is with me, and that 1 am not really
such a blocihead as l appear in her
society. Tell her II love her-just
as if it was yourself, you know; may
be if she thought l cared for her she
might
"Do you take me for matrimonial
ngent?" / asked sternly. do your
own proposing. Do you suppose girl
like Helen Lorrington would think
twice of man who was lacking in
courage"
Il don't know" said Stub; chats
what you are going to find out"
"Im not said I.
"Don't be a chump," remarked my
friend, in contemptuous tones. prom
Use you'll speak to her tonight, if YOU
get a chance, at Mrs. Applebee's
dance"
Stub and had been friends since
college. | would do more for him than
any man alive, and. Well l arrived
at Mrs. Applebee's that night with q
heart like lead, bound to plead my
friends cause with the girl 1 loved
myself.
what did you wish to tell me, Mr.
Sears?" Miss Lorrington asked, after
found her a seat under a tall palm il