Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-02
When Priscilla Told a Lie v
<copyright. iso., by Daily sto, Pub. Col
By C. A. SARGENT

l 'Oh my part, lV,lSCed PrlScllla
 Melrose, replacing the dainty cup in its saucer, T do not believe the utter !ance of an untruth is ever justitiable. ? 1 Well. of course, Priscilla" replied Sadie, "a downright lie is unpardonable; but I do believe that many of the polite fibs used by society are not only harmless but even necessary
 "A lie is unpardonable," Priscilla firmly reiterated. | Priscilla Melrose and Sadie Carter had been the closest friends from early youth, and when Frank Atherton led Sadie to the altar, not even the bride herself appeared more radiantly joyous than did Priscilla. Her acquaintance with Frank had also been of long dura- tion, and there had ever subsisted be- ] tween them a delightful sense of "chummy" comradship unrestrained by sentiment. When, therefore, her two dearest friends embarked together up on the uncertain sea of matrimony, the large-hearted girl found that, instead of losing them, they seemed drawn nearer than ever by the invisible cords of a mutual love. One bright September morning three months later Priscilla stood at the west window of her home on the Riverside drive Perched upon Priscilla's slender finger sat Gen. Weyler-her pet canary The General was endeavoring to up- hold the reputation of his illustrious name by fiercely pecking at her we'll rounded chin when Frank Atherton was announced.
 Why, Frank, what Is the natter" anxiously inquired Priscilla. giving the bird its liberty and quickly advancing to meet her unexpected caller. Franks eyes bore strained, unnatural expres- sion.
 My God, Priscilla, everythings the matter" replied the agitated man. talk ing her hand between both his own and peering into the depths of her inquir- ing eyes.
 Sadie" began Priscilla.
 Yes, Sadie," pacing back and forth; "she is well--physically--but there is the very dee--r beg your pardon. .".-7Hs. stopped directly in front of the puzzled girl, wishing her to read his inward misery from it's imperfect outward ex- pression.
 Why, hardly understand" she be- gan.
 No, of course not. and find it diff ficult to explain. To begin, was guilty of doing foolish thing when in town Monday" The Athertons had spent their honeymoon in a cottage at Asbury Park instead of making the GUS tomary "tour," and Frank occasionally returned to the city in order to keep in touch with business affairs.
 Tell me about it." said Priscilla.
 Well. found everything all right at the office that day and would have re- turned on the first afternoon boat but for an important matter that necessi- tated an interview with Hodges, of the Air Line system. learned that he was at Manhattan Beach. The only thing to do was to go out there. On my way uptown. I ran across Mdlle. F'leurette. of the Casino. You know we were once rather 'chummy,' but. really. my regard for her was not of the degree that gos sip would lead one to believe. She was simply jolly company. Without giving the matter thought, I asked her to lunch Then I went over 10 the Beach, ! saw Hodges, and afterward took a plunge in the surf There I again met the young lady. enjoying the. same pleasure. I have since learned that she went out on the same train. That is the full extent of my sins. Now. some gossipping old hen got possession Of those few incidents. imagined many | worse ones. and poured the tale into i Sadie's ears with such elaborateness of i detail that ,he poor girl could not doubt l it. She returned to town yesterday. cannot get her to listen to word. The ! speaker again began his restless pacing. | Finally, he leaned against the piano. fold ! ed his arns. wearing a most forlorn | expression.
 HtiSCilId. 1e UesdI- HtsitdtiHSIs. l. T wonder if you wouldn't run down and see herr?
 T will. willingly. if you think best. Have you told her all?"
 Why. no d. is. VOL | have done ! so. but she E. me no chance. From ! Der talk I judf that she already knew 'it. and every 1e began to sneak she l r-oke in So f. ely that fea cd she ght become tericsi
 I'll drive co after lunch lam SO rorry, F-srE. ! aally, hardly know | what % co foET good ccln- n. sense will lead ! 0 soms' ains. s~ sa~s At least l Iops S.. fot ng oen s.te.-
 P-ls..iiA rss',sd the AtaeTf5- apart . sasEt uE :e1if5s sz Q Der i'' e -rl duct, lgt before .n,es rsso'S aa sa l, rar esdresy iEaorars gf tAa aEs3r- -EEs- i thai sucs 2 5zabie dfceP'ic-. I' ss.. .9.':. ;. :. ::: s:: ling wrap.