Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-05-18
THE OTHER GIRL

TT ~ HEX GlRL,
He was fine looking youth. and in the
country town where he had lived most of
his life he was looked up to, owing to
the fact that four years had been spent
III an eastern college. He had just re-
turned after the completion of his course.
and in the interval of waiting for some
this to turn up, noticed an ad in the city
paper for hotel clerk in nearby sum-
mer resort. This he decided to apply for.
as the salary offered YVES good, and it
would I'LL in that tiresome ordeal of wait
ing for something permanent.
Within two days he received the ap-
pertinent, and made hasty preparations
for departure. His good bys did not oc-
cupy much time, as he had no near rela-
tons. In fact, the only important fare
well to be said was to Mary Gordon, the
girl to whom he had been engaged. as it
seemed to him, all his life. At least, they
had been playmates as children comrades
as they grew up together, and that last
fall when going back for his final year
at college, he had taken with him her
promise to be his wife. That
goodbye was harder for her than he
knew, for she was a lonesome little thing.
and he was the only one in the world she
| cared for. While as for him--after get
ting settled at his work in the big hotel,
the excitement of constantly arriving
guests, together with the bright faces and
| beautiful gowns of the women, soon
blotted the quiet little country town he
| had left behind from his thoughts.
| There was one of these bright, beauti-
| full faces that after awhile would grow
brighter and more beautiful as the eyes
met his, and gradually friendship that
was staunch as it was strong grew up
| between brilliant Amy Martin and the
| humble clerk at the desk in the hotel
Office. Now Miss Martin was an heiress
to some thousands and could do as she
| pleased with her money without consult
| ing any guardian. And what good would
that money be to her, if it would only
stand between her and the man she loved !?
So she reasoned to herself on this per-
feet August afternoon, as she sat alone
in a shady corner of the hotel piazza, aft
er refusing to join any of the several par
ties that had gone forth to seek enjoy
ment on the lake. tennis court or golf
links For she knew that ''he' would
soon pass on the way to his late lunch,
and hadn't she noticed of late how his
face changed and his eyes softened when
he answered her? For the advances al
ways came from her, and she fancied
that she understood the cause of the visit
full sadness that would sometimes creep
into his face and tone as he spoke 60 her.
1t was on account of her money. she de-
cided. Well, that could not long stand
between them.
She had just reached this satisfactory
decision when a slight little figure mount
ed the steps and came towards her say
ing, Could you tell me where the office
is? l want to see the hotel clerk"
why, of course, Pll take you to him.
You look tired-as if you had come long
way. You are his sister?'
No, | am going to be his wife,
Now, Miss Martin did not faint nor
cry out, nor, in fact. do anything except
Just what well bred society girl of to-
day would be expected to do. True, her
fingers did press the book she had held
carelessly in her lap more closely, and
she caught her breath sharply with lit
tie sob But she said lightly enough:
Then l wish you joy
Just then she became conscious that
"he" was standing behind her. She
turned, and reading the anguish in his
eyes, understood everything. For one
moment she wavered, the dull conscious
ness of what her life would be without
him holding her silent, until one look
at the pathetic, bewildered face of the
girl who had journeyed to see him and
to whom he had pledged his life, recalled
her from the contemplation of her own
misery to the realization that she must
help him out at all costs. In an instant
she was the cool, self possessed society
girl again, saying:
Accept my heartfelt congratulations.
And now, l want your good wishes, for
you are the first to hear of my engage
ment to Col. Thorpe, one of the finest
of southern gentlemen, whose proposal
| have been considering for the past
week, and whose acceptance went on this
mornings mail"
The other girl did not notice anything
strained nor unusual in the voice. But
he heard-and nderstood.-Boston Post.