The Springdale news., 1905-03-17
FROM HIS DIAR Y

How is the hopeless passion?" in quired my sister Beth one evening. That was her way of recognizing Bob's success with Virginia.
 More hopeless than ever," replied l dejectedly.
 Aren't you in favor this week ?"
 "I never know whether I am or not" You're too devoted, Joe said Beth. That's the whole trouble"
 Virginia has a dozen admirers ar gued l. If I didn't constantly press my claims, where would I bef"
 Receiving anxious notes and tele- phone calls as to why the change in your manner toward her"
 "More likely gnashing my teeth in outer darkness. Eleven are about enough to keep one girl supplied with entertainment
 Eleven faithful ones are as nothing to the one whose ardor has cooled. said Beth.
 You mean if I show indifference Virginia will begin to appreciate me as I deserye2"s
 Probably more than you deserve" Beth is very frank
 And perhaps if I were seen around a good deal with another girl?' sug- gested I.
 ''The plot is tremendous" said Beth. T only hope the leading lady won't fail you"
 ''Is there any doubt of it?'' asked in alarm.
 Not the least. I remember how l acted well enough.'
 Tt is your experience then, that I am profting by"
 My tragedy, Joe"
 'Go on. I believe I am getting inter ested."
 ''It happened while you were away at college" said Beth.
 He was splendid, you know; hand some and all that sort of thing His de votion was beautiful His theater invi- tations came like clockwork And, of him, you see It wasn't any fun. Then he saw how I felt.'
 Perhaps he had a sister," I sug- gested
 'He didn't need one" retorted Beth. "He was q man of very clear percep- tions.
 didn't interrupt again
 He saw how l felt repeated Beth. Then one week on his usual night he didn't come Next day the telephone was strangely silent. At first I was re- heved, then began to wonder, then regret mildly, finally 10 feel intense longing. In week l was throwing myself in his way. tempting him with my most becoming gowns hinting be- seechingly at my resuscitated ardor"
 Did he come back?" , He did not"
 ''Firginias story will not be as long or as sad declared. "I shall proba- ply melt at the becoming gown stage"
 Beth had said it would take week to bring results by the suggested treat ment. l must expect, then, that Vir- ginia would consume week in won- der, mild regret. intense longing
 spent the seven days in difficult self restraint every time 1 faced tele- phone, in nightly battles with inclina- tion, in languid but persistent escort of a young woman whose name was not Virginia. It is not proud epoch in my annals, but it had its virtue. There came the end at last. Now was the hour arrived.
 Buoyantly I looked for signs of sur render. didn't see any. I snatched hurried, insufficient lunches for fear of missing q telephone message. I haunt ed the places where Virginia might reasonably expect to find me if she cared 10 throw herself in my way. Blank disappointment everywhere.
 Days passed. Still I clung to hope tenaciously, assuring myself that only pride restrained her.
 More days passed. I wanted to tell Beth what I thought of her confound- ed scheme.
 Still more days passed. Then I stood on Virginia's doorstep. Just three