Connecticut western news., 1909-05-27
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 { The Disadvantage of Misun. . r derstanding Among 1 ' Three.
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By A. B. SEARLE.

| ciation.l
 If anything goes wrong among as- 1 sociates the more persons in 1t the worse the trouble and the less chance of an explanation and reconciliation. In the most important episode of my ! life I became involved with two other persons to my permanent discontinue. If my dealings had been with one the l trouble would not have occurred. i It was the very common case of two fellows after one girl, and the two fellows were friends. I was one of the fellows. and Bob Hoyt was the other. Eileen Gilbert was the girl. It was Bob who introduced me to her, but he didn't tell me that he wanted her, so I wasn't obliged to keep off on his account Bob was a quiet. back ward sort of fellow, while I flatter myself I have that gall about me which wins with a woman.
 There are several principles that l l considered. The first is, Don't show l your hand to others;" the second, "If you want anything don't make it ap- pear valuable" I determined to keep Bob in the dark as to my intentions and to lead him to believe that Eileen was no great catch. Of course this was difficult for me to do and at the same time see enough of her to win her. But handled the matter so we'll 1 that I got in a number Of visits with put Bob knowing anything about them. l How far l succeeded in leading him to believe that she was not worth trying for I couldn't find out. He wasn't much of a talker. I knew very we'll he admired her and that I'd better do what could to head him off.
 | Eileen for quite awhile was on the fence between Bob and me. l had some property, while Bob had nothing but pluck and energy, and I'll do him the justice to admit that he had plenty of both. There's nothing mean about me even In speaking of a rival Bob showed no disposition to win the girl, but I didn't know whether this was because he didn't fancy her or because i had intimated that she was not es- pecially to be desired. This gave me every chance, and I availed myself of | the position.
 ! Eileen lived at her fathers country ! place, about fifty miles from the city, and during the summer I made hay while the sun shone, spending a num- Der of week ends in the village near her home ostensibly for the fishing, which was good in the neighborhood. Finally I sounded Eileen sufficiently to discover that a proposal was liable to be accepted. This was by letter, and resolved to go to her and close the matter. AS luck would have 1t, who should be at the station to see his 1 mother off on a train but Bob. I had 1 to confess where I was going and whom was going to see, but I inti- mated that I had promised to go to make one of a house party and ex- pected to be much bored. Bob told me he thought I'd have a good time if I only made up my mind to do so, but I refused to be convinced.
 made my proposition to Eileen, and it was graciously received. But girls never like to give an answer on the moment. They like to keep a fellow worried. It's an awful suspense to man, and the more feverish a man is under 1t the better the girl likes 1t. told her that I wouldn't go back to the city without an answer. 1 remained two days, but the answer didn't come. I wished I hadn't said what I did about waiting for 1t and began to think of an excuse for breaking the embarrassing position. Besides, l couldn't remain away from my duties. I hit on what seemed an excellent plan. I would telegraph Bob to call me back lon business" This would convince him that 1 was being bored and enable me to await my answer fin the city. sent a message to Bob as follows: "Insufferably bored. Get me out of this by wiring me to return on 1 important business"
 I directed the telegraph operator to send the reply to me at the Gilbert residence I told Eileen that I would go Eon a tramp during the day and hoped that by my return at evening I would receive the long deferred an- swer. She would not promise definite ly, but gave me to understand not only that should have 1t, but that 1t would be favorable. I hoped to find my re- call at the house when I came in from nay tramp and get away on a night train.
 I tramped all day, returning about 5 o'clock. I expected to see Eileen on the piazza dressed for the afternoon and hoped to be made happy. But as I approached I saw that the piazza was vacant. I went up to the front door and rang for admittance. A maid came, opened the door and poked a telegram at me, with the ominous words:
 Miss Gilbert says to tell you that she opened it thinking it might be best for her to send for you. Please accept her apologies"
 I took the bit of yellow paper from the envelope and read 1t. Horror of horrors. It was my telegram to. Bob. It had been sent to me indorsed, Party not in town" While I was staring at it the maid shut the door in my face.