Gilpin observer., 1910-01-27

cerned, Tommy Is such an awful idiot
I'm certain that she couldn't ever care
anything about him, but it did look
little suspicious. Now, honest, old
man, you don't think I've any reason
to be scared Of Tommy. do your"
Honestly. then. 1 don't think he
has the ghost OF a show" said. quite
truthfully
Hector wrung my hand. I'm awf'ly
obliged to you. old man." he said.
This is all In confidence. of course.
I wouldn't have said anything at all,
only you were such an old friend
You understand! Well, must be
rolling along"
Hector departed. apparently much
cheered. felt sorry for him, he seemed
so hopeful. l made up my mind that
/ would talk to Marguerite a little.
1t was hardly Is minutes after that
when there was a sharp rap at my
door and Tommy stuck his head in.
"Hello!" he said "You look uncom-
monty tickled about something Est
me in on 1t. thought perhaps you
wouldn't be in bed yet. 80 concluded
to come in and finish my pipe with
you"
l covered large yawn with my
hand and assured him that I was not
at all sleepy. TT isn't very big pipe,
anyway" added.
II won't stay long," he promised.
curling himself In the easy chair. He
pufted at his pipe a few moments and
then he said: II wanted to have a
word with you about Marguerite"
Meaning Miss Girton?" asked.
He had the grace to blush. We'll,
she doesn't mind my calling her Mar
guerite when we are Alone" he said.
You understand that am not going
around Dragging about 1t. but you're
an old friend OF the family and an old
friend OF hers. She thinks good deal
Of you. old chap"
was very. very much obliged to
him for telling me.
"Yes. and thought would tell you
that I'm thinking Of steadying down
and getting settled in life There's
nothing to this bachelor existence.
might give me q hint as to how
stand there"
How do you think you stand with
the young woman?" asked.
"Oh, that part OF it's all right
think" he replied. confidently at first,
but with An after note of anxiety.
Don't you think Hector is in the
running?"
He? That conceited little beast?
Well, guess not. Not II what Mar
guerite says about him ia any indica-
ton" He laughed. then his express
sion grew serious. do you think he
has any chance?" he asked anxious
ly. III she took that fellow believe
Id go and Jump into the lake."
II was joking" said. He is in
love with her. OF course. happen to
know that he hasn't q chance in the
world. Make yourself easy on his &C.
count. II Miss Girton accepts you
don't see why there should be any Sc
rious objection on the part Of the fam
lily. Now. must you be going? I've
got something to do tomorrow morn
ing"
had . good laugh all to myself
when he had gone. It was q little the
best Joke that had come my way for
some time. Yet l was truly sorry for
both Of those fellows. I knew Mar
guerite.
When I saw her the next morning I
took her little hand in mine and put
on my very gravest expression-which
she tried to rub on with the rosy tip
Of disengaged finger.
Marguerite" I said, what do you
think OF . girl who deliberately tries
to make a man believe she cares for
him, who looks at him in a way that
makes him thisk he's about the only
one on earth 30 far az she's concerned.
who allows him to call her by her
Christian name-fools him to the top
Of his bent, when oil the time there
is another man she cares for and in.
tends to marry some day."
Marguerite looked troubled. Bob,
DEAR" she said at last. II really did
not deliberately try to make you think
cared for you or try to fool you.
always did care for you, and until I
met Freddie didn't know that.
"You don't mind 80 very much. DO
you? Besides. I'm not at all sure that
I shall marry Freddie"
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