The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-05-03
THE OTHER GIRL
a study In jealousy.
ny GEORGE WEYMOUTH.

lonely. she was shy, with her sweet
country ways and although she adorcd
art, and was an ideal student, not
yet was she able to throw aside her
reserve and mlngle with the gay,
careless students on terms of fellow
ship.
Tonight Lillian was more than lone
ly. She was little sad. she would
not have acknowledged it for the
world--not even to her own shy
heart-but she had expected to see
Mercier at the 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 giddy throng-
to see Mercier
And now the night was half gone
and she had not seen him. He was
not there OF he surely would have
sought her out.
Suddenly Lillians 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? Il was Merci
er's manly form; It was Mercier's
strong. eager. and laughing face, the
beauty of which not even the harle.
quin's garb could disguise.
II must be some man who looked
like him. II could not be Mercier,
for this man was with another girl
a roguish beauty with laughing eyes.
She was clad in the black gown and
the white collar and cap of a sister
of mercy-this other girl And Mer.
cier--the man that looked Ike Mer.
cier-was holding her right hand in
HIS and his left arm clasped her waist.
He was gazing into her eyes fendly.
Lillian rested her chin on her hand
and gazed at them In a puzzled, pen
siye 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 1t was strange how
another man could resemble Mercier
so much.
You cannot refuse, Paula. You
must not say no. Such love is not
to be cast aside lightly. 1t only comes
once in lifetime"
That was what she heard the man
say to the laughing girl at his side
And 1t was Mercier's 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.
- 4
she said to her aunt a minute later,
and the woman 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 room.
She dried the tears from her eyes
and rouged her cheeks so that the
faithless 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
Inspection" she asked. coldly, as he
sank into chair, ignoring his ges-
ture, refusing to meet his eyes.
yes" he said turning away. 81
brought the drawing, but ] have not
been able to finish IT, | have been
so busy. have had love affair on
my hands"
He laughed nervously, and Lillian
bit her pale lips to keep from crying.
20. love AFFAIR."" she managed
to say at last.
"Yes--Walter's. He and Agatha
have Quarreled. You saw her last
night"
Perhaps" she said. YEARLY What
did she care about Walters love af
fair? Walter was Mercier's friend
They lived together But what did
she care even for Mercier's friend
nowg What did she care for any
thing?
THE girl in black-the one was
with" he explained. Il made hel
promise TO see him to-day And as
soon as could leave her came bacl
to find you ard you We're gone YoI
don't know how deserted the place
seemed without you. Lillian"
lie looked at her with tender re
proach, and for the first time she stol'
a glance at him She could read moth
ing but truta ana devotion in his eyes
A great happiness surged through ne
whole being. She understood. now
Il didn't know but what you Nigh
have been a little jealous he salt
teasingly.
20, no. was not Jealous" she said
"The idea OF my being jealousl" Sh'
laughed happily.
Il had hoped that yoe were-a httl
bit" he said grayely.
Perhaps / was a little hurt sh
admitted. softly.
Because. you know that love YOU
little girl, ne went on. f'And II yol
don't care for me H." he cam
over and knelt beside her and caugh
one OF her hands between both o
his-'if ycu could love me, Lillian.
would be the happiest man In th
world"
She said nothing, but she looked a
! hin, ond her ewes were full of elal