Evening journal., 1909-04-30
. The Disadvantage of Misun-
derstanding Among
Three.
, : = : : : , : : : : ; : ; #++ =
BY A. B. sEARLE.
copyright, 1909. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l

NA-r A"t"
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
trouble would not have occurred.
1t 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 ] wasn't obliged to keep of on
his account. Bob was a quiet, back
ward sort Of fellow, while 1 fiatter
myself I have that gall about me
which wins with a woman.
There are several principles that 1
considered. The first is, Don't show
your hand to others;" the second, IF
you want anything don't make it ap-
pear valuable / determined to keep
Bob in the dark as to my intentions
and to lead him to believe that Eileen
was 10 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 well
that / got in number Of visits with
out Bob knowing anything about them.
How far / succeeded in leading him to
believe that she was not worth trying
for l couldn't find out He wasn't
much of a talker. / knew very well
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 1 didn't know whether this was
because he didn't fancy her or because
/ had intimated that she was not es-
pecially to be desired. This gave me
every chance, and availed myself Of
the position.
Eileen lived at her fathers country
place, about fifty miles from the city,
and during the summer 1 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 / sounded Eileen sufficiently
to discover that a proposal was liable
to be accepted. This was by letter,
and 1 resolved to go to her and close
the matter. AS luck would have it.
who should be at the station to see his
mother off on a train but Bob. had
to confess where / was going and
whom i was going to see, but I init
mated that l 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
/ 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 a
man, and the more feverish a man is
under 1t the better the girl likes it,
told her that l wouldn't so back to the
city without an answer. / remained
two days, but the answer didn't come
l wished / hadn't said what 1 did
about waiting for it and began to
think of an excuse for breaking the
embarrassing position. Besides,
couldn't remain away from my duties
/ hit on what seemed an excellent
plan. / would telegraph Bob to call
me back "on business" This would
convince him that l was being bored
and enable me to await my answer in
the city. l sent a message to Bob as
follows: "Insufferably bored. Get me
out Of this by wiring me to return on
important business"
directed the telegraph operator to
send the reply to me at the Gilbert
residence. ! told Eileen that I would
go on a tramp during the day and
hoped that by my return at evening
would receive the long deferred an
swer. She would not promise definite
ly, but gave me to understand not only
that should have il, but that it would
be favorable. l hoped to find my re-
cali at the house when l came in from
my tramp and get away on a night
train.
I tramped all day, returning about 3
o'clock. l expected 10 see Eileen on
the piazza dressed for the afternoon
and hoped to be made happy But as
/ approached l saw that the piazza
was vacant. 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:
"Aiiss Gilbert says to tell you that
she opened It thinking it might be
best for her to send for you. Please
accept her apologies"
! took the bit Of yellow paper from
the envelope and read It. Horror of
horrors! It was my telegram TO Bob.
II had been sent to me indorsed.
PARTY not in town." While / was
staring at it the maid shut the door
In my face.
AS I said at the beginning, it was
having a third party in the matter that
brought trouble. II it hadn't been for
Bob I'd never have sent that tele-
gram. And if it hadn't been for Bob
might have made il up with Eileen.
She was just mad enough to write him
an invitation TO visit at her fathers
house with other friends. and when,
after repeated efforts to see Eileen. I
went 70 the city saw Bob passing