The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-05-13
THE OTHER GIRL
a Study IN Jealousy.
BY GEORGE WEYMOUTH.


Art Students league, given to raise
funds for the purchase of prizes for
the coming students exhibition
Lillian wa there-and Lillian was
lonely. She was shy, with her sweet
country ways and although she adored
art, and was an ideal student, not
yet was she able to throw aside her
reserve and mingle with the gay,
careless students on terms OF fellow.
ship.
Tonight Lillian was more than lone
ly. She was a little sad She would
not have acknowledged IL for the
world--not even to her own shy
heart--but she had expected to see
Mercicr at tho festival Perhaps
that was the real reason that had
caused her to brave the throng and
submit herself to the laughing custody
of her aunt and come in fancy dress
to this fantastic and glddy throng-
to see Mercier
And now the night was half gone,
and she had not seen him. He was
not there or he surely would have
sought her out.
Suddenly Lillian's heart ceased to
beat A numbness crept over her, and
she gazed with unbelieving eyes at
the couple just now passing her.
Was that Mercier? II was Merci.
er's manly form; 1t was Mercier
strong, eager, and laughing face, the
beauty of which not even the harie.
QUin's garb could disguise
II must be some man who looked
like him. 1t could not be Mercier,
for this man was with another girl
roguish beauty with laughing eyes
She was clad in the black gown and
the white collar and cap of sister
of mercy-this other girl. And Mer-
cier--the man that looked like Mer
cier-was holding her right hand in
his and his left arm clasped her waist
He was gazing into her eyes fondly.
Lillian rested her chin on her hand
and gazed at them in a puzzled. pen
sire way. She had recovered from
her first panic. 1t was not Mercier,
OF course. else he would have been
at her own side and not at the side
OF the other girl. II was strange how
another man could resemble Mercier
80 much.
You cannot refuse, Paula. You
must not sag no. Such love is not
to be cast aside lightly. 1t only comes
once in a lifetime"
That was what she heard the man
say to the laughing girl at his side
And 1t was Merciers voice. She could
doubt no longer The deep tender
tones were not to be mistaken.
Perhaps Lillian only sighed Per.
haps she uttered little, cry.
Let us go home. | am 50 tired, .
she said TO her aunt minute later,
and the Soman looked at the girls
white face. from which all the Joy
Of life had fed, and wondered what
had happened.
The next day he came. as he had
promised to come. They told her he
was In the drawing roomnhiv
She dried the tears from her eyes
and rouged her cheeks so that the
ff,lthless man could not know that
she had passed a sleepless night and
slowly descended the stairs.
Lillian" he cried and came toward
her with outstretched hands
Did You bring that drawing for my
lnspection?" she asked. coldly. as he
sank into a chair. ignoring his ges-
| ture, refusing to meet his eyes.
Yes he said turning away -
brought She drawing. but ! have not
been able to finish it. have been
so busy. have had love affair on
my hands
lie laughed nervously. and Lillian
bit her pale lips to keep from crying
20, love AFFAIR."" she managed
to say at last
Walters. He and Agatha
have quarreled. You saw her last
night"
Perhaps she said. wearily. What
did she care about Walters love af
fair? Walter was Mercier's friend
rhey lived together But what die
she care even for Mercier's friend
now? What did she care for any
thing?
The girl in black--the one wa'
| with" he explained. made Aei
promise 20 see him to-day And al
soon as could leave her | came bacl
to find you and you were gone Yo,
don't know how deserted the plac,
seemed without you. Lillian"
He looked at her with tender re
proach, and for the first time she stol'
a glance at him. She could read moth
ing but truth and devotion IN his eyes
A great happiness surged through he
whole being She understood, now
Il didn't know but what you Nigh
have been a little jealous" he sal,
teassngly.
20, no, was not jealous. she said
"Tbe idea OF my being jealous!" Sh'
laughed happily.
Il had hoped that you were--a littl'
bit. /" he said gravely.
s'Peyhhrs was little hurt" she
admitted. softly.
Because. you know that love you
little girl he went on. And n yol
don't care for me IT," he caml
oyer and kncit bcsiie her and car-s
one OF her haas between both o