The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-24
WAS He DOOMED
nv LouisE oLNEY,

r33Sopyrisht. 1910, by Associated Literary Press)
- tbs worry began the moment he Alcie Thorne,
he was afraid he could not keep away from her.
ana sd'1 ne knew that II he did he was doomed
Iali m love He was not ready to fall In love-
thoushtfu1 observation OF his comrades showed him
na sucn state usually progressed into matrimony
ana ne was not ready. financially sentmentaiiy.
ior marriage 1t had always been his idea that q
ss sn sn9 a be at least thirty before taking such
carry business struggles. And he only twenty
down factory hts father had left him John stonsr
pg sa to 40 some steady thinking tho subject
when na never e yet tn the worlds history has helped
The nrst self-susgestion to nee. to refuse
planned during her stay at the home Of his friends
the Eitons The next one. the fatal one. that
over charms which would vanish by day He would
GO to the all-day picnic planned for Sunday, And
be cured This a beautiful plan. but il did
not work out He went to the picnic cast by
however. only added piouancy to her fair beauty.
Also when she fell into passion because another
in her. - e4'A@
When he reached home that night he worried more
could never In the world get her TO love him. Jim
nlton tod him tale: Of her conauests in the West.
men and true. not caring enough their
scaips at her belt Jim said she was the most
advised his friend to chase about with her and be
amused and amusing. but to leave his nics solid.
drawer This was fine advice and suffered the COM
mon fate Of advcs--t was not taken. John as
but with his eyes wide open
WIN possible marriage staring him in the face. he
little house he wanted to buy and furnish In
anything should happen.
And he intended to make things happen. Alcie
Ihorne,s career was followed by happenings He
nesan 70 devote himself wildly % her though say
OF the night he would review his actions OF the day.
ing about women month before he would har.
called himself a wise man for knowing nothing
about them.
One miserable night after ne had been especially
entertaining TO her all the evening he recalled
story he had somewhere in which a man had
won skittish and elusive maid by using the weapon
OF indinerenss should hs try indifference Could
The evening let himself with apparent
reluctance be absorbed by the wilfu fluctuations Of
Eoith shore- Edith. had he known IT, was more
than ready for a sentimental encounter with this
handsome young man whose lack OF interest in her
sex had piqued all the girls In the that ioEf
caIly his. But she too willy be openly graft
hed-she hedged and fenced. and moreover.
so really charming. so genuine. that he found IL
very pleasant though Alcie Thorne was show
ing the most subty natering Willingness adored
by "a. man ten years her senior.
| When he vent back Alcie she too occupied
70 notice him. and he was finally. AT all the small
picnics and dances and motoring trips thrown into
! the society of Edith Shore.
! One worry changed itself into another Edith
acted az if she owned him, and he afraid t.cis
was not In the least troubled. Then comforting
| sation
/ II can't Sec" said that small lady why Aieie
| detests Edith Shore as she does-she will hardly
treat her well enough dare ask her to the house;
horrtd
can't see that the girl has been anything but lovely
/ to Alcie And I've been watching like hawk TO
ous?" Then the talk flowed into other channels
I But John went home that night with hope
absorption in the latter How could he nnd OUT
4 He would have liked to ask her naty-it his
Thu afteFHeer- n~-v~rrt cut TO Et-un-s HsKsd
| for Miss Thorne, and asked her to canoeing with
and suggested taking lunch they would have
to get back dinner unless they iked-and unless
declared himself unexpected and unattached tor as
long she would have him about
BY the time the cook had prepared the lunch, and
Alcie had rid herself OF several callers 1t was well
toward evening before they got away John Launched
in to shore under the cool shadow Of the overhsng
ing trees
peace Etole into the mans heart ~ he studied the
sweet face opposite him and marked Its expression
Of content. 1t seemed natural for them to be
together that he could have that she
thinking the same thought at the same moment
came to his heart. and then he was assaiied by a
He kept on paddlns-at least he could do tina, we'll
| He did Il Indian fashion. kneeiing. using sinsis
hs head and the wistfuness in hi. eye. as be looked
at the girl made her suddenly sensitive TO his
away. while veritabie wave OF rosy blush SUBJ
merged her face His pulse beat hard and fast
doubts as to the right manner. and suddenly said;
| Alcie-Alcie- when she gave sudden nervous
water struggling to keep above the surface. The
girl was a Swimmer bu, she let him keep an arm
the current drag back her hair and gave him mis-
What we're you saying when interrupted by tip
| 4 just going to ask you marry me-" he
murder to hearing me out He stopped for breath.
and then finished rghtins the canoe. Nov, he said.
good swimmer. and 4 you'il keep beside me. { can
/ back with. Shall We start