Perth Amboy evening news., 1903-11-25
A Mans Mistake
BY CRETE HAHN

I A faint, pink flush crept into
he girls thin cheeks and maze the
male. somewhat w~orn-l"oking, face seem
almost pretty.
"You-in love?" she asked, softly.
Her companion laughed, an
Intercollegiate sort of laugh.
You never suspected it OF me, ulo
you?" he said.
No" replied the girl, and her OAR
eyes grew strangely tender.
Il have told no one but you" he went
on. "She wishes it to be a secret lor
the present"
"A secret" she said. "Why a Sc
cret?"
"We'ye known each other such a
short time, she is afraid people VIII
laugh at us. They wouldn't understand
she says"
Il 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
joy"
And l do, Tom. l do, with all my
heart"
She spoke without a tremor in the
low, clear voice.
at seems to me l have known her all
nv life, and she feels the same ABOUT
me, Gwen"
THAT is because you love each other
81 knew you would understands" he
cried eagerly. Il told her so, Gwen.
| told her all about you, about our
friendship, and all | W you"
WAS that necessary, Tom?"
necessary" He laughed joyously.
"Why. Gwen, l have no secrets from
her"
NO" said Gwen, "of course not"
81 know what you are t~hinling-she
may possibly be jealous"
The girl started, as though she had
been struck.
Jealous of me-" she cried. "Who
could be that?"
ITO tell you the truth, Gwen, she was
Just a little-at first. Then | eX-
planned to her what a good,true friend
you had always been to me-, and how
had learned to love you as a sister,
who was so much better, and wiser,
and"
And older than you, Tom. hope
you told her that"
I've never given it a thought, Gwen"
81 shall be 30 next birthday. Idaresay
I might be 40 for all you cared. Tom,
tell her that. 1t will satisfy her"
she is satisfied. Do you remember,
Gwen, what I've said to you so often?
Men 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
their common fate. You're strong, and
self-reliant, Gwen. You know how to
make your way in the world, and you
want no mans help. | 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
And yet she is hardly q woman, but 8
lovely, innocent child, Gwen, and as
helpless as a child"
And that you love most of all" said
the girl. You love TO take care of her. u
He began to laugh, from sheer hap
piness.
She is so young-barely 1S-and SC
IGNORANT of the world. Life, for her,
is full of dangers. Oh, | must guard hel
we'll. Gwen, if you only knew the JOY
a mar has in the helplessness Of the
woman he Lowest"
81 think | understand, she said. Let
me see her picture"
How did you know?" he asked, with
a shamefaced smile, and drew from his
pocket a tiny leather case.
She stirred the glowing Goals into
flame. and knelt on the hearthrug tC
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 a real complexion. Gwen,
ike a young cnild's."
! "She must be very pretty"