The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-12-29

Glynde and Hilgay, whose friend
ship puts that of David and Jonathan
to the right about, were fated to be
pitted against each other in every
thing.
They cemented their friendship by
blacking each others eyes when
Glynde was nine and Hilgay ten.
They both played cricket. Hilgay's
most brilliant innings for Cambridge
were stopped at 80 by magnificent
catch by Glynde, of the Oxford eleven.
Naturally enough, 1t came to pass
that Glynde and Hilgay fell in love
with the same girl. At least, that is
only my way of putting it. Glynde
and Hilgay would tell you, II they
liked you well enough to discuss the
matter with you, that they were in
love with the only girl in the world.
Men in love are never accurate.
There was, to both of them, touch
Of tragedy about this last coincidence.
They were dining in town together
on an off ever.ng to see the Man Of
Many Collars, at the Alhambra after
wards.
With something of blatancy Hilgay
had said, Jack, I'm in love"
Jack Glynde put down his cigar and
turned very pale.
II don't belieye you. It's-it's ab-
Burd."
absurd? Good heavens, why?"
said Hilgay.
Because | am, too, and we're dead
certain to. be in love with the same
girl"
A little chilled silence fell upon the
two men. For moment they sat
looking at each other, superstitious
horror in the eyes of both. Neither
dared to ask what was her name.
Glynde waited for Hilgay to give
the name and Hilgay for Glynde. At
last they made simultaneous move
ment. Their theatre tickets were in
their pockets, but. with that tacit
understanding which can only exist
between bosom friends, they turned
away from the Alhambra and made
for the Embankment. Each felt that
air was a necessity. The Embank-
ment is the only place in London
where it can be found.
For an hour, arm-in-arm, they
paced the fagstones. Sometimes
Glynde's hand would close hard on
'Hilgay's arm, as though to say,
Whatever happens, old man, nothing
matters" and sometimes Iiilgay
would squeeze Glynde's hand tight
against his ribs, and Glynde knew
that he was saying, whoever she is,
old man, we are pals to the end" 1t
is well said that the love Of one man
for another passes the love OF woman.
These two never really knew what
their friendship meant until the
woman came into their lives.
With a sudden inspiration Hilgay
took out half-a-crown.
"Heads or tails, Jack?" he said
"Heads!" said Jack.
Teddy Hilgay uncovered. 1t was
tails.
"You must tell me her name, old
man." he said. Glynde cleared his
throat, took Hilgay's arm, and started
walking away from the Embankment
at four miles an hour towards the Ok
ford and Cambridge Club.
On the steps of the club Glynde
made mighty effort.
Enid Allerton," he said, and then
looked sharply round at Teddy. He
saw a wave of blood fly into his face,
and felt his arm tremble.
Good Lord!" said Hilgay.
~Why, what's the joke? What's
your girls name?"
ENID Allerton," said Hilgay.
"Good heavens, isn't the world
large enough for us both?" Glynde's
face was twitching and his eyes
blazed. what have we done? What's
the matter with US? What's wrong
with the world? Why, in heavens
name, should we always come up
against each other? Do you hear?
Why the blazes can't you fall in love
with any of the million other girls
there are knocking about?"
Hilgay sprang to his feet angrily.
sYou can't talk" he cried furiously.
You blacked my eyes, and won the
beastly cup. Surely to goodness
that's bad enough, without your crop
ping up now and cutting in with the
only girl I've, ever loved in this
world" q.
They glared at each other like two
angry bulls, and then simultaneously
burst out laughing. Again simulta-
neously they hit the bell and broke
the thing, and as the waiter bolted in
with-a-scared look they each yelled
8or.a-sodas- --.-s- ...-.-,-- ,..is..,~--.-.
These arrived before they had got
Through with their laugh, and as the
waiter left the room they silently
clicked glasses and drank.