Evening journal., 1905-06-17
FENCING
IOrlelnaL1

lney met at farmhouse as sum-
mer boarders. He was what women
call cynical. She thought him lndifer-
ent. He was certainly a cool chap,
and the three traits combined attract
ed her. They took long walks in the
mornings and invariably seated them
selves in some shady nook where in
stead Of dreaming the happy hours
away" they discussed abstruse ques-
tions.
Several weeks passed, and there was
no mention between them Of their
growing intimacy. He spoke Of re-
turning to bis work in the city without
mentioning any regret at the discontin-
uance Of their walks or their sittings
In the moonlight on the porch. She
dared not mention the parting for fear
her voice would tremble.
One morning after they had come in
from n walk they went to the mantel
In the living room, where the mail was
deposited, and she, taking up a letter
addressed to him in a woman's hand,
gave it TO him. He simply said,
"Thank you" She spent the afternoon
wondering who was his correspondent
and surmising his action at receiving a
letter from a mother, a sister, a girl
friend or a sweetheart. If 1t were from
either OF the first three he would have
said something to denote the fact; II
from a sweetheart, he would have said
no more than 'thank you" This was
her reasoning.
The next morning instead Of waiting
for him to go to walk she went alone.
That is what a girl in love would
usually do under the circumstances.
She assumed on evidence that would
have no weight with twelve jurymen
mind you, I say jurymen not jury
women-that his correspondent was his
iance.
When she returned a depot hack"
was being driven up to the door and
who should get out of it but the com
panion Of her former walks, whose
companionship she had taken pains to
show she did not longer care for, but
whose absence had made her miser-
able. That was not all; he handed
out a very attractive looking girl,
whom he led into the house. He re-
appeared just as the girl who had wit
messed the arrival was approaching the
porch. He went to meet her, pleas
antly, but noticing a severe expression
on her face his own assumed a serious
cast. Evidently there was a change.
He had been intending to explain his
not joining in her walk by telling her
that he had gone to the station, but
he concluded to await developments.
pheasant walk7" he asked.
very"
II didn't see you when you started"
1T is not to be expected that you
should go to walk with me every
morning"
Certainly not; that would be very
selfish Of me. Suppose we go into the
summer house"
'Thank you; I'm tired. I shall rest
awhile before dinner"
"As you like I'll stroll down to the
river bank. Good morning"
This was not to her purpose. She
changed her mind and said she would
go into the summer house for a few
minutes only.
"Why did you deliberately go Off to
walk without me this morning?" he
asked when they were seated. He as
sumed that she had done this. he did
not know it.
81 don't care TO attract the attention
OF those in the house by these walks,
especially
''Wellg"
''The young lady who has just ar
rived might not like It."
Il hadn't thought Of that"
"You should have thought Of IT,"
I'VE men are methodical fellows.
We take up matters as they come
along, while your sex are prone to
take them up as fancy dictates"
"As principle dictates"
'sThat word principle has many con-
ditions. Sometimes it is rigid, some
times elastic"
Il should think in this case It must
be elastic"
"You must remember that what we
call principle partakes of education.
The Creeks
Bother the Greeks. What had they
TO do with us?"
There was a brief silence Evidently
the hair splitting was over. Presently
he said:
1--WE shall not hereafter be quite so
free to enjoy these walks together,
for"-
Evidently not"
"Aly mother will be up on Saturday,
and"-
"Oh, your motherp'
Yes. She is an invalid, and 1 shall
need to devote a good deal Of time to
her"
"And the rest will belong to an
other"
What othorg"
"The young lady who has already ar
rived"
"she will help me in the care OF lny
mother"
THAT viii be her duty"
"And her pleasure"
Certainly; OF course"
II shall be here only a few days aft
er mother comes, then the care OF her
will devolve entirely on my sister"
''Your sisterY'
'Yes; it is she who arrived just
now"
There was another brief silence. The
I girl looked I'D at the sky, then Gown at