The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-05-18
Amateur
Strategy
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.
1909, by Associated
Literary Press.


youths pride themselves. strangely
enough, however, though otherwise
complete, it lacked one Of the essen
tails indeed, vital essential-cf
students room decorations. There
were no photographs.
The other fellows had pictures Of
girls in evening gowns, girls in street
costume, girls in golf garb, girls on
horseback, girls afoot-always girls
But not girls picture adorned Perez
vaps den except one lonely small min
iature, and that stood far withdrawn,
hidden on the back Of his desk.
Randolph Chase hauled 1t out on one
occasion before Perceval could reach
him with OBTAINING hand
"What a queer little grip Randolph
said
"Put it back" Perceval said shortly
his face aflame.
But the other fellows crowded be-
hind Randolph and looked at the pic
ture over his shoulder.
"Such a mop of hair and such lit
tie facet! said one Of them.
"Put it backw Perceval's tone rasp-
ed with irritation. "Put it back, Ran
dolphp'
Randolph, after one glance at the
Younger mans countenance, set the
miniature back on the desk hastily
.Oh, if you feel that way about II" he
apologized.
But the next night when he was
alone with Perceval he said: Il don't
want to be inquisitive, but l was aw-
fully interested in that girls face
Who is she7"
Perceval was standing at the win
dow, looking out upon the elm Dor
dered street, where the big electric
lights cast great shadows.
saThat." he said without looking
around-"that girl, as you call her, is
Mrs. Perceval Moore"
"Whatv' Randolph's tone expressed
extreme incredulity. you surely don't
mean
Perceval whirled around. "That l
am married? Yes"
Randolph whistled. well, Of all
things!" he said. And after that Their
was silence.
Then Perceval came over and flung
himself into chair opposite Ran
dolph. give simply got to tell some
body, Chase" he said. "Tm in an aw-
full fix. and she's the dearest and truest
and best little thing in the world"
Randolph reached over and picked
up the miniature again. "She truly
looks it." be said after he had studied
it for a long time.
Perceval choked a little before he
answered. "She's an angel, Ran
dolph."
'Then what's the matter% Ran
dolph questioned.
Perceval leaned forward.
ave deceived her. She doesn't know
that / am In college. She thinks l am
earning a good salary in business"
"Well, son." said Randolph Chase,
at seems to me that sort of deception
is kind that girl can forgive easily
enough. ] guess she won't be wildly
indignant when she finds that next
year-it Is next year that you come Of
age, isn't it?-you'll have big pile OF
money coming to you. Any girl would
be tickled to death to find that"
Perceval shook his head. mot An
Mabel" be declared. isn't her name
dear and old fashioned, Chase"
EYES," Randolph agreed 'But why
will she object to a million, Perceval?"
Because she win say that 1 lied to
her." Perceval said slowly, "and An
mabel can forgive anything but lie."
"Out with itY' Randolph probed.
''Tell me the whole story. 1t must be
a queer one, and If you don't mind
my saying so, old man, she must be a
queer girl"
That's just what she is" said Perez
val. II met her last year at the beach.
She was such a quaint, queer little
thing that she attracted me. She al
ways wore white, and l would find
her sitting on the sand singing little
songs to herself. There was an old
sea captain to whom she talked good
deal, and I got him to introduce us.
"Well, she had read a lot of books
on social equality, and she just simply
didn't have any use for the gilded
youth with money. What Annabel
wanted was a man who worked, pref
erably with his hands, but, failing
that, one who lived in the thick Of
the fight for existence And she meant
it too And that is where fell
81 was head over heels in love with
her." continued Perceval forlornly,
land l simply wouldn't let her go.
So l let her believe that 1 was work
ing my way up In business. The first
lie was simple enough and looked like
one Of those things that could be
squared easily enough afterward. But,
oh. Chasel l had to back that lie VI
with details on details until l had liet.
to her at least ten lies to the hour.
Well, we were married before l left
in the fall. l wasn't of age, and she
wasn't, and she wouldn't leave home
until 1 could support her without ham
pering my business career.
81 knew l had to come back to col
lege or get dad down on me, so | told
her to stay" groaned Perceval "But
I made her marry me for fear some
thing might come between us, and |
couldn't stand that, Randolph. But
think how I'll appear to her, for I've
lied in every letter, telling her how
business was, and all that"
The young fellows voice broke.
Randolph held out a sympathetic
hand
"She'n forgive you, all right" be
said. "But you sit right down tonight
and confess, old man. It's not only
the right thing, but the best policy, tt
be perfectly frank with her, and II
she's in love with you she'll forgive
you"
But Perceval shook his head
don't dare" he said huskily. Il am
50 afraid I'll lose her, Randolph, and
she is the dearest thing in the world. >
"You have said that before" Ran
dolph remarked patiently. II think
you are making an awful mistake, but
1t will have to work itself out If you
won't take any advice"
| Then he went to his own room anc
smoked another pipe on it, and aftel
that he wrote a letter.
And in three days came letter t.
Perceval Dear boy" it began, :"
must come to you at once. Things a
home are in a dreadful state. / vii
tell you when reach you. know yoI
haven't much for US to live on, but
have little money in the bank that
have saved from my allowance, and
shall follow this note at once. Expec
me on the 1920 a. m. Friday.
"ANNABEL."