The Washington herald., 1913-10-25
KEEP HIM GUESSING.
By LOUlsE OLNEY.

\ ny hsObA5I oAAEN
Margaret came down to breakfast a
little late and in the shrinkage way now
habituaI TO her. Her mother eyed her
appraisingIy. as II. counting up her
| charms.
MY dear. positively you blush now
IL even I look at you! Do try to be
more poised! It's your second season.
but you act like novice. Margaret
ate grapefruit and said nothing. Her
only hope-a vain one-was that John
Norman's name would not be named.
Her mother was merciless. however. She
had married OF three daughters already,
but this fourth one she could not under
stand.
"At dinner last night you were like
mouse, and just drank in John Nor
mans words-while Effie Deane kept his
eyes on her across the table-she
snatehed his interest away right under
your eyes, and you let her, Any clever
girl would have stopped her in three
minutes. OF course she knows he's
worth her best efforts" She passed Don.
the son, "a cup of coffee.
'I-didn't want to stop her." said Mar
garet. Her mother stared. Margaret
seldom answered. II am not trying to
interest him. II Efie wants him and
can get him-weIl. you don't understand
me. am not trying to marry myself
of-and / won't help you do II. Ill go
to work-in Lowrie's ofice-if you keep
throwing me at mems heads
Mrs. Fremont gasped and Don stared
and then chuckled.
Good for little Margie! Something
new! The mouse can squeak when IL
gets in a tight place, Never mind, sis:
you shan't be married on Just because
a fellow Is rich and popular Is no reason
why you should want to marry him.
But IL you do like him. mummy Is right
about one thing-don't be so passive
keep him guessing. Men like him are
used to thinking every girl is dead crazy
about them
Margaret could endure no more She
rose and marched out Of the room, her
dark eyes full OF tears. In the hall she
snatcIied a white sweater and a little
cap and escaped by the side door. her
slim figure tense and her head high.
1t was the first of October. and the
leaves were yellowing, the hills were
blue with mist. and on the horizon. early
as IL wa1. enterprising men and girls
were already beginning to golf. She
started for walk. aiming for a lonely
path that would lead into the bigger
patch OF woods. She wanted to lose
herself. But again hope cheated her. for
as she turned q corner Hal Kerston ap-
peared. His boyish blond face lighted
with pleasure.
"oh. joy; oh, joyy' he chatted, cap in
hand. Here she Is and without that
everlasting Norman man at her heels,
Here she is in her right mind. with a
smile for an old friend, Can 1 go, too.
Maggie? Say yesi II you say yes. then
I'll let you say when. too. When you
are tired OF me will light out if you'll
give the word: but let me come. too. Co
ing to walk
smile at him. 81 always like to walk
the leaves. the boy laughing. but his
eyes serious. The great trees whispered
In the morning wind. Margaret forgot
her woes and was momentarily happy;
but she wondered what made Hal seem
such a child to her. Then he, like Bru-
tus, suddenly stabbed her with a ques-
ton:
II hear you're to be married" His
voice was hurt. You know how I al
ways wanted you. But IL Norman's 60
ing to make you happy-he's a prince.
all right. all right-I'u try to be decent
about II, you know"
She cut him short angrily, tears close
to falling. her small fists clenched at her
side. Neither of them saw a tall. quiet
man coming toward them
you, too.'' she walled to Hal, her
clear voice quite distinct. Tn to hear
but John Norman-breakfast.
dinner, supper, from my own folks-and
my friends-even youi I thought you'd