Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1911-04-19
IN BLACK
AND WHITE
BY EVERETT p. CLARKE
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911
BY EVERETT p. CLARKE

FRANK, said Evelyn to me one
evening when I went to see her-Eve-
lyn and l were engaged to be married
In about month-"I'm all upset about
Mildred"
whats the matter with MiIdredY'
I asked.
"Sbe's engaged to Ed Whitaker, who
Is utterly worthless"
swell. don't see what you are going
TO do about it,
There's one thing I could do. only
you'd object Ed Is the most vaciIlat-
Ing fellow about girls. IL some girl
should make up her mind to take him
away from Mildred she wouldn't have
any trouble doing II. and when she'd
done II Mildred would not take him
back"
Il see. You want to help Mildred
out by taking Ed away from her. Go
ahead. Anything goes till after we
are married then you'll have to mind
home business and let your friends
alone"
Evelyn gave me a hearty smack and
assured me there would be no trouble
In the matter. She only wished to
show Mildred what a tickle fellow Ed
was.
week passed during which I be-
lieve Evelyn commenced her demon
stration OF Eds fickleness Then we
all met at Il bail Ed and Evelyn were
dancing together when ! happened to
see Mildred standing alone. OF course
we two being engaged and our fances
hQiDO nONfrnfnd tx-it
urally Joined Mildred. We both made
light OF what by this time was ap-
parent between Ed and Evelyn Just
as though we had perfect confidence
and didn't fear anything. For my
part. since Evelyn had told me just
what she was going to do and her rea
son for doing il. | wasn't much wor-
ried- Mildred didn't seem any more
worried thun |. In fact. she seemed
to be very we'll satisfied to have me
with her was modest enough to tell
her that I was doubtless very poor
substitute for her lover. but she said
l needn't concern myself about that.
for no girl wished for one mans atten-
ton all the time.
Resides" she added. looking at me
archly. who knows but that II you'd
have come along before Ed we might
have made match"
This was pretty frank. but l always
liked persons who blurt things out
and went on Jokingly about the mat
ter Jill the next dance came round
and we danced II together After that
Evelyn joined me. / asked her how
she was getting on with Ed. and she
said pretty Well" When we left the
ball together and Ed and Mildred
passed us | saw Evelyn give him 6
very meaning smile.
a few days later ! said to her that
since we were going to be married
within a few weeks l thought she ha6
better draw her good offices with re
gard to her friend Mildred to a close
She said that she wished to get Ed
down In black and white. so that she
might prove his faithlessness to NIL
dred
One day | received word from Nil
dred. saying that she would like me L
come and see her. l went reluctantly
thinking that she was Jealous OF Ev
elyn and wished me to discuss the az
fair with her. This. OF course. didn'
wish TO do. und :rstandlng Evelyn
object ! found Mildred much NOR,
calm than I had expected. She didn'
seem disturbed at all. She asked m,
II | had observed what was going oil
between Ed and Evelyn. told her
! had. but II hadn't troubled me.
The upshot OF the matter was that
was obliged to tell her that l knew
, Evelyn was flirting with Ed for a pur
pose. When l had told her this mucl
It was only a question of time as to IN,
telling her what that purpose was.
If" concluded. Evelyn can draw
Ed away from you. proving that he
not to be relied on. l really think sh
will have done you great favor"
II agree with you" she replied. YER
much to my surprise. for few girl
would look upon such an act as friend
ly. When she asked. IAN l {
know the result2"
decided that since our confdenc
I had gone so far had better tell he
+ the whole thing. when Evelyn get
, Ed down In black aud white" wa
my reply.
= And suppose Ed gets her down 1
black and white?'
What do you mean?" I asked. star
: ing.
Here is letter Evelyn wrote (
- Ed. Ed Is careless. shiftless sort @
a fellow and by mistake put II I'm a
envelope instead OF one he had wri
ten me-either this or he made IN
mistake on purpose. Read It,"
She handed me the letter. and I rea
It with establishment. 1t gave him III
details Of plan by which she pr
n posed TO get rid of me and MARI