Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-04
A Mans Mistake
By CRETE HAHN

almost pretty.
 "You-in love?' she asked, softly. Her companion laughed, an awkward. half-apologetic sort of laugh. You never suspected 1t of me. did you?' he said. l ''No," replied the girl, and her dark eyes grew strangely tender.
 q have told no one but you" he went on. "She wishes it to be secret for the present.
 !. "A secret" she said. Why se- cret"
 we've known each other such short time, she is afraid people will laugh at us. They wouldn't understand. she says"
 ''I 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 I joy"
 "And do. Tom. do, with all my heart"
 She spoke without tremor in the low. clear voice.
 s'It seems to me have known her all my life, and she feels the same about me, Gwen" "That is because you love each other"
 q knew you would understand" he cried. eagerly. 1T told her so. Gwen. [ told her all about you, about our friendship, and all owe you.
 Was that necessary, Tom" Necessary" He laughed joyously. ''Why. Gwen. I have no secrets from I her" "No," said Gwen, "of course not"
 'I know what you are thinking--she may possibly be jealous" Gs
 The girl started, as though she had been struck.
 Jealous of me?" she cried. Who could be that?"
 .'To tell you the truth, Gwen, she was Just a little-at first. Then I ex- 1 plained to her what good, true friend you had always been to me, and how l had learned to love you as a sister, < who was so much better, and wiser, l and" ~
 "And older than you, Tom. hope 1 you told her that" f@ l five never given it a thought, Gwen"
 s'I shall be 29 next birthday. Idaresay I might be 49 for all you cared. Tom, tell her that It will satisfy her" STE
 "She is satisfied Do you remember, ] Gwen, what I've said to you so often? Men are your friends, not your lovers" 1 "I remember There was something about me, you said, something you couldn't quite explain, which made me l different from other women. 1 R~.o their common fate. You're strong, and i 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. g1
 "Other people call her charming and l pretty" he said, but to me she is the
 most beautiful woman in the world. And yet she Is hardly a woman, but a | 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. l is full of dangers. Oh, must guard her well. Gwen, if you only knew the joy man has in the helplessness of the | woman he loves!" 5 l "I think understand" she said. "Let l me see her picture. | How did you know?" he asked, with 1 a shamefaced smile, and drew from his t' pocket tiny leather case. | She stirred the glowing coals into flame. and knelt on the hearthrug to l examine the portrait. .. & l 1t was 8 pretty, commonplace little face, with somewhat affected express | sion-possibly due to the photographer, | Gwen reflected. l "It's not good likeness" said Tom. looking over her shoulder. "and, of 1 course, all the coloring Is lost She has 1 lovely hair-bright gold when the sun | is on it-and real complexion, Gwen, | like young child's." E. "She must be very pretty" i wish you coulo see ner, puu you l will soon. I hope. She's coming to town, with her people, next month" Maynt know her name?" .s.-t Of course. I'd quite forgotten you didn't know. It's Lucy Mannering." She noticed how fondly his voice lin- gered on the name.
 Lucy she said T think 1t suits her, and remember now that you mem tioned her in your letter. She has been staying with the Harwoods, too, hasn't she ' know now. she added with 3