Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-03-09
IN A COMPROMISING
SITUATION
By T. w. McKAIL
1903, by T. C. Mcclure.

%ss"'r's.s''r-s-.r' t-s...'
Il am sure" said Mrs. Railton, fix
ing me with her eagle glance, befort
which even bishops have been knowh
to quaif-T am sure you will like t.
be the first to congratulate Sylvia OIL
her engagement to Mr.. Oswald Fitz
gerald"
But Mr.. Fitzgerald"- began.
as suitable in every way" continued
Mrs. Railton, needless of my attempted
remark. HE is just the man to max,
Sylvia capital husband"
"He has. am aware, 1000 year"
/ said bitterly "but he is old enough te
be her father"
MY dear Gerald" demonstrated Mrs
Railton in her most bland tone, "how
can you say such things! Mr.. Fitzger-
aid is quite young man still, and by
many people he is considered extremely
handsome. Pray don't put such notions
into Sylvia's head"
l held my peace, and after studying
my countenance carefully for few
moments Mrs. Railton continued: 81
have told you this because / have
thought-although, Of course, may be
mistaken-that your affection for Syl
via has been becoming little more
than cousinly. | should be sorry if
my dear aunt" l broke in impetu-
ously. what is the use of your trying
to blink facts? You know quite well
that have been making desperate love
to Sylvia ever since she was ten years
old"
"a mere boy and girl Irritation" said
Mrs. Railton.
Perhaps l said, trying to speak
nonchalantly; but, at any rate, l dc
not mean to congratulate Sylvia on heI
engagement to an old man with dyed
hair and false teeth. If it had been
young man, it would have been differ.
ent. | don't believe she cares for him
any more than she cares for-the man
In the moon"
My TRADE fizzled out rather ineffec.
lively, but was feeling genuinely saw
age, and the necessity of keeping up
calm exterior before my aunt OPP
pressed me. l wanted to go out and
hit somebody. So l made somewhat
hasty departure without waiting to see
Sylvia. On the way back to my rooms
in the Metropolitan club l brooded over
my wrongs. There could be no doubt
that Sylvia had treated me very badly
l recalled numerous sentimental little
passages between us. Besides, had
proposed to her regularly every week
for the last two years without any def
mite result, it is true, but still with nc
decided negative.
/ sat down in my room dejectedly
and pondered over the ways of women
in general and of Sylvia in particular
Then | went to a drawer and took out
a box wherein lay a miniature por.
trait of Sylvia some letters from her
trinket off bangle, a handkerchief
and some few other unconsidered tri
files. The sight of these strengthened
my sense of righteous Indignation, and
while it was still upon me | seized
pen and dashed off furious letter tc
Sylvia. But moment later l tore il
to pieces. After all, thought, sarcasm
will be much more effective and at the
same time more dignitied. Acting upon
the second impulse, l constructed a
brief letter full of irony congratulating
Sylvia upon her engagement and in
forming her of the pleasure l felt ir
receiving the announcement This
dispatched at once by express messen
ger and then settled down for quiet
afternoon.
1t was Saturday, and there was al
air of peace within and without thai
soothed my wounded feelings. / lit
cigarette and lounged in an easy chair
before the open window. The sound OF
cab approaching rapidly aroused me
Looking out of my window, l saw thai
it contained Sylvia. AS she stepped out
of the cab at my door, looking more
bewitching even than usual, | noticed
that she carried a letter in her hand.
Thus forewarned | answered her
hurried knock ut the door with mat
ter of fact Come in and evinced none
Of the surprise she evidently expecte,
me to feel at her appearance.
you are perfectly horrid"- she be
gan.
Why" l asked ipnocently.
"'To write me letter like this hold
ing out the offending document. "I
was just going out shopping with moth
er when it arrived, but | felt as if
must come and talk TO you first. Poor
mother She will wonder where OF
earth have gone"
$50 you did care what | thought
"Oh. Jerry she said quite earnestly
and l fancied | detected a tear in uei
left eye, how could you write me st
cruelty? l thought you would be heart
broken
us it not little indiscreet of you,
l went on, realizing my advantage, ''tC
come here alone to a bachelors rooms
without a chapeDonY
She sprang TO her feet, her eyes fash
ing and her cheeks flushing in man
ner that | could not help confessine