The Monticellonian., 1905-01-05
When Priscilla Told a Lie %
By C. A. SARGENT
Copyright, isO., by Daily Story Pub. Col

Copyright, lsOs, by Daily Story Pub. Col
 EoR my part, insisted Priscilla
 Melrose, replacing the dainty cup in It's saucer, T do not believe the utter ance of an untruth is ever iustifiable. .
 Well of course Priscilla, replied Sadie "a downright lie is unpardonable; but I do believe that many of the 1 polite fihs used by society are not only l harmless, but even necessary"
 "A lie is unpardonable," Priscilla firmly reiterated.
 Priscilla Melrose and Sadie Carter had i been the closest friends from early 1 youth, and when Frank Atherton led 1 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 i Iarge-hearted girl found that instead Of losing them, they seemed drawn nearer than ever by the invisible cords of q mutual love-
 One bright September morning three months later Priscilla stood at the west window of her home on the Riverside drive. Perehed upon friseilla's slender finger sat Gen. Weyler-her pet canary The General was endeaVoring to up- hold the reputation Of his illustrioas name by fercelS pecking at her we'll rounded chin when Frank Atherton was announced.
 Why. Frank. what is the matter?2 anxiously inquired Priscilla, giving the bird it's liberty and quickly advancing to meet her unexpected caller Franks eyes bore a 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 ard forth; she is well-phys there is the very dey-I beg your pardon. He 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-9 she be- gan.
 No, Of course not. and find it diff fieult to explain. To begin, was guilty of doing q 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 Oh the first afternoon beat but for an important matter that nCcessi- tated an interview with Hodges, of the Air Line system. l learned that lie was at Manhattan Beach. The only thinS to do was to go out there On my way uptown. l ran across Mdlle. Fleurette. of the Casino. You know We were once rather 'ehummy,' but, really. my regard for her WAS not of the degree that gas- simply jolly company. Without giving the matter thought, asked her to lunch. Then l went over to the Beach, saw Hodges, and afterward took plunge in the surf There I again met the young lady, enjoying the same pleasure. l 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 Sadie's ears with such elaborateness CT detail that the poor girl could rot Goubt it. She returned to town yesterday cannot get her to listen to q word . The speaker again began his restless pacing Finally. he leaned against the piano, told- ed his arms wearing a most forlorn expression.
 Priscilla he began. hesitatRgly. T Il wonder if you wouldn't run down and see her?'
 T will, willingly, if you think best. Have you told her all?"
 Why, po-that is, would have done so, but she gave me no chance From her talk judged that she already knew it, and every time began to speaI, she broke in so fercely that feared she might become hYsterieal.
 "IIl drive down after lunch. am so sorry, Frank, but, really, hardly know what to do.
 Your good common sense will lead to something. 1 am sure At least. l hope so. for my own sake
 Priscilla reached the Atherton apart ment undecided as to her line of conduct. but Before entering resolved to appear entirely ignorant of the affair, think ing that such a pardonable deception would result in more confidential talk with her friend. Once inside, she had little need to feign surprise. On the floor. attired in a loose morning wrap. per. her hair none too tidy. with eyes red from excessive weeping. sat Sadie the picture Of despair Into three par