Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-04-24
Amateur
Strategy.
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted. 1909, by Associated
Literary Press.

4%%%@%&%&f&@~s.s. ss&@@-&@%%&@.e
Perceval's den In Burkeley hall was
hung with the usual conglomerate col
lection OF tribes on which college
youths pride themselves. Strangely
enough, however. though otherwise
complete, 1t lacked one Of the essen
tials--indeed, vital essential-of a
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 Perce-
val's 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iature, and that stood far withdrawn,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 Pcrceval could reach
him with OBTAINING hand
"What queer little GIRL" 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 mop of hair and such lit
tie facew said one of them.
"Put It backw Perceval's tone rasp-
ed with irritation. "Put 1t back, Ran.
dolphw
Randolph, after one glance Mt the
younger mans countenance, set the
miniature back on the desk hastily.
"Oh, IL you feel that way about It," he
apologized.
But the next night when he was
alone with Perceval he said: Il don't
want to be inquisitive, but was aw-
fully interested In that girls face.
Who Is she?"
Perceval was standing at the win
dow, looking out upon the elm bor-
dered street, where the big electric
lights cast great shadows.
"That," he said without looking
around-"that girl, as you call her, Is
Mrs. Perceval Moore"
"whatw Randolph's tone expressed
extreme incredulity. "You surely don't
mean
Perceval whirled around. THAT !
am married? Yes"
Randolph whistled. "Well, Of all
things! he said And after that there
was silence.
Then Percevai came over and flung
himself into chair opposite Ran
dolph. 1--WE simply got TO tell some
body, Chase" he said. I'm In an aw-
full fix, and she's the dearest and truest
and best little thing I'm the world"
Randolph reached over and picked
up the miniature again. "She truly
looks It," he said after he had studied
1t for long time.
Perceval choked q little before he
answered. "She's an angel, Ran
dolph."
"Then what's the matter?" Ran
dolph questioned.
Perceval leaned forward.
1--WE deceived her. She doesn't know
tnat 1 am In college. Sne thinks 1 am
earning a good salary In business"
"Well, son." said Randolph Chase.
at seems to me that sort of deception
is kind that a 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. Not An
Mabel" he declared. Isn't her name
dear and old fashioned. chaser"
"Yes," Randolph agreed. But why
will she object to million. PercevalY
Because she will say that lied to
her." Perceval said slowly, and An
mabel can forgive anything but lie."
"Out with it" Randolph probed.
''Tell me the whole story. 1t must be
a queer one. and II you don't mind
my saying so. old man, she must be
queer girl"
That's just what she Is" said Perez
val. II met her last year at the beach.
She was such quaint, queer little
thing that she attracted me- She al.
ways wore white. and 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 l 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 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.
~ was head over heels In love with
her." continued Perceval forlornly.
"and simply wouldn't let her go.