The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-06
Copyright, 1904, by Jeanne o. Loizsaux.

IA n RS. JARED STANLEY, from the
MI big rocker on her piazza, looked
4VA with well-concealed impatience
at her tantalizing guest IN the
hammock Alicia was all fluffy blue ruf-
fes, and her innocent brown eyes ana
deep dimples lent to her dangerqus
seeming Of guilelessness. She looked past
her hostess to the road, along which were
approaching her host and two other cleah-
cut young men.
one do you mean to take?"
Alicia leaned back provokingly, as she
replied: .-
IT thought you gave me this houseparty
to help me find out, Nell?'
well, did. What's the matter? The
resa and Maude aren't in the WayT'
Goodness, no! I am only too GLAD to
have them about to keep Ieody ana sam
off part of the time.
but which one Is 1t to be?'
They'll have to draw cuts. l can't
choose. Edward Trent has sense, money
and good looks, and so has Samuel Good-
win. They are both thorobreds, but each
needs the other to set him off. Sammy's
blond boyish inconsequence shows up
Teddy's dark, impatient dignity. l wish l
could have them both. simultaneously, or
not at all. It's horrd to be dependent on
an aunt who insists on marrying you on
she says she won't stand another winter
of my-ssne calls 1t flirting. l. the girls
eyes grew serious.
ALICIA, what about John Lane?" Her
face flushed, but Mrs: Jed went on with
the temerity Of an old friend. 1--WE all
know you refused him times unnumbered.
Why did your"
"oh, kept count; It was eight times.
I did 1t because auntie has been trying to
get us married ever since was 16; also
because John Lane needed taking down.
He always thought he could have any
thing he wanted, and he did usually get It
till 1t came to me. Besides, I won't
marry a poor lawyer and be transported
to the wlds OF Colorado. Chicago Is good
enough for me, and want a big church
wedding and home among civilized peo-
ple. Anyway, II John Lane really wanted
me he'd stop proposing and get me, some
how" Then, as the three men came
up the steps. she Whispered drama a., ny;
''I'll make them draw cuts. It's the
only way"
She crested them with the sweet i'm
partiality that caused them to hate each
other with primitive masculine zeal Mrs
Jed left them and going to her desk wrote
letter.
My Dear John. She is here. mean Alicia
both-are here also, and hot on her trail, as
Theresa Petrie and Maude Hope are on theirs
Her aunt mean Alicias--says she must choose
between them. This Is her sixth season, yor
when a girl doesn't know which Of two mel
she wants to marry, 1t is the favorable junetur'
FOR the third man. Come down--on business, o.
course-but plan your own campaign; and ma.
the Lord help you'll can't But you were mad
for each other, and simply give you this chanc
Eleanor Stanley.
Two days later John Lane, in travel
ting attire suddenly took himself and hi
suitcase before the asaonished gaze OF nj
partner in the law and in single blessed
ness.
Mac I'm off for ten days-Ch1cagc
You can get on without rne-you'll hav
to-" Macdonald knew enough not to as]
questions. John went on. L shall com
{ back with "a wffe-or without one, l.
but Mao interrupted.
Sort of matrimonial rush order oil
man? You don't say whether the wife
for me or for some client" But Lane CAV
him an affectionate kick and departed t
take his train. and smoked away steadil
the twenty-four nlonotonous hours be
tweer, him and Alicia. He had time to pla
his campaign.
Friday afternoon Alicia at her windo'
saw him coming up the long green law
Of the Stanley summerhouse. Then sh
put on a ronchalant air-and a blue gov
much out Of style--and sauntered dow
into the garden. OF course, he woul
come presently, and this time-perhaps 81
would say Eyes" But John did not com
When. after an hour or two, she joine
the others on the piazza, he rose an
greeted her with friendly handshake an
with no trace Of sentiment. Then ne d.
voted himself to Theresa, whom he ha
known at college, and when, later, they a
went out to the links, he gofed wit
Maude and made friends with the your
Clergyman Of the party who included go
in his creed Alicia thought that he Gu
tivated everything and everybody but he
After a few days she began to realii
that John Lane was no longer her esp,
cial property as he had been from chilt
hood to tho previous year. when she he
last refused to marry him. He had sa
he should never ask her again, and no1
with a sudden sinking Of the heart. she b,