The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-12-11
A Mans Mistake
ID OWEN, old girl, I'm in love-
BY CRETE HAHN

I A faint, pink flush crept into
the girls thin cheeks and made the
pale. somewhat worn-looking, face seem
almost pretty.
"You-in love?" she asked, softly.
Her companion laughed, an awkward,
aalf-apologetic sort of laugh.
you never suspected it OF me, dlo
you?" he said.
mo" replied the girl, and her dark
eyes grew strangely tender.
81 have told no one but you" he went
On. "She wishes it to be secret for
the present"
"a secret she said. why a Sc
cret?'
We've known each other such a
short time, she is afraid people will
laugh at us. They wouldn't understand,
she says"
81 suppose not"
But you understand, Gwen, don't
you? begged to be allowed to tell you.
wanted you to be the first to wish me
10y"
"And do, Tom. 1 do, with all my
heart" ~
She spoke without tremor in the
| low, clear voice.
at seems to me have known her all
my life, and she feels the same about
NE, Gwen"
THAT is because you love each other"
81 knew you would understand" he
cried, eagerly. 81 told her SO, Gwen.
{ told her all about you, about our
friendship, and all owe you
WAS that necessary, TOMB"
Necessary" He laughed joyously.
Why, Gwen, 1 have no secrets from
| her.
mo" said Gwen, "of course not"
81 know what you are thinking-she
| may possibly be jealous
The girl started, as though she had
| been struck. sE
Jealous of me?" she cried. who
could be that?"
ITO tell you the truth, Gwen. she was
just little-at first. Then 1 ex-
planned to her what good. true friend
Tou had always been to me, and how
| | had learned to love you as sister,
I who was so much better, and wiser.
and"
"And older than you, Tom. l hope
| You told her that"
I've never given it thought. Gwen"
81 shall be 90 next birthday. Idaresay
[ might be 40 for all you cared. Tom,
ell her that 1t will satisfy her"
she is satisfied. Do you remember
Gwen, what I've said to you so often?
uen are your friends, not your lovers"
81 remember. There was something
about me, you said, something you
couldn't quite explain, which made me
different from other women"
| "Yes-and which separates you from
heir common fate. You're strong, and
| seif-reliant, Gwen. You know how to
make your way in the world, and you
| want no mans help I sometimes think
it's that that keeps Us at arms length.
We know that you can do without US,
that you don't need our protection, and
so we shrink from offering it. You're
too brave for us, Gwen"
The girl smiled strangely.
Perhaps you're right" she said, but
you didn't come here to talk about me.
What Is she like, Tom?"
His face kindled.
..Other people call her charming and
pretty" he said. but to me she is the
most beautiful woman in the world.
md yet she is hardly woman, but a
ovely, innocent child. Gwen, and as
| helpless as child"
"And that you love most of all" said
the girl You love to take care of her. %
He began to laugh, from sheer hap
piness.
"She Is so young-barely 1S-and so
ignorant of the world. Life, for her,
is full of dangers. Oh, must guard her
we'll. Gwen. if you only knew the joy
a man has in the helplessness of the
woman he lowest"
Il think understand" she said. LET
me see her picture"
How did you known" he asked, with
a shamefaced smile. and drew from his
pocket tiny leather case.
She stirred the glowing Goals into
aame, and knelt on the hearthrug to
examine the portrait.
1t was a pretty. commonplace little
face, with a somewhat affected express
sion-possibly due to the photographer
Gwen reflected.
It's not a good likeness. said Tom,
looking over her shoulder, "and, of
course, all. the coloring is lost. She has
lovely hair-bright gold when the sun
is ON it-and q real complexion, Gwen,
Ike young child's" -, :
.She must be yerv pretty"