The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-10-30
TOM, DICK and HARRY
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

which her intimates referred to her
frayed friend that appealed to Lilys
cOntrariness Tor PITY to the extent
that she always stanChly stood up Tor
him.
They called him that because he
was a mystery. Not only was his I'M,
maculate linen fringed and his one
suit and topcoat visibly mended. but
he had presented a card bearing the
remarkable name Of Stuart-Rennark
Dryton Sennly to the family the DAY
he brought Lily home after ran on
the ice
Some day he'll come in gold
buckles and ermine, and nap MS
feathered hat at the rest OF us lei
lows tcased Tom Perrine, and say
Here. you little shrimps and tadpoles'
all OF you must scoot now. I'm the
Knight OF Ump-de-U imp. the Prince OF
$3.50. and also Lord Helpus. Git!
The fair Lillian is mine!
Lilys sister laughed. Il don't be-
lieve he would talk that much IN
year. When he comes Lillian has 10
get out all her overtures, etudes and
nocturnes and play for him all eve
ming He just sits and eats her up
with his eyes"
Il think you are all hateful. He Is
smart and well educG ted, and II a
shame TO make fun OF him because
he is poor"
When Lily and Tom were alone the
subject was dropped.
Lily, | want TO talk to you seri-
Ously" 1t had come. The corners Oh
her mouth went o., for an instant
Then she lowered them hastily and
looked thoughtful.
Seriously"
Yes, Lily. It's time we had an I'M
Outstanding. Don't put me oil any
longer. | just can't stand it.
Lily puckered her brows. Il can't
tell you today, Tom. | must have
while to think"
That night much the same CONVEX
sation took place with Dick lngraham.
Dick promised to wait.
Then came Harry. who also agreed
to wait
1t was really time she decided on
which one of the three it was to be-
She liked them all Did she love one
of them enough to marry him! There
were times she was sure it was each
in turn. They were all dear boys.
But there was something-she could
not tell Just what it was. In the last
few weeks it had seemed harder than
ever to make up her mind. II must
4 be either Tom, Dick, Harry, Or She
i flushed and looked into her startled
eyes in the mirror.
The next day Lily crushed her hand.
1t was all very terrible and she had
/ to have anesthetics and doctors and
a trained nurse. When she began to
realize what had happened her room
was full of flowers and the nurse pre-
scented the envelopes that had come
4 in the boxes.
One by one Lily read the letters
with a puzzled frown. From what she
could gather, Tom, Dick and Harry
. were withdrawing their proposals Tor
4 the present. They all had the contin-
= ued-in-our-next tone.
Monsieur Beaucaire had sent flow
:. ers, too, and note.
Dear Miss Lillian: Please accept
this little token of my sympathy.
There is something of the greatest i'm
portance that | would like to tell you
as soon as you can see me. l hope
d that you will soon cease to suffer.
II Yours faithfully, Stuart Sennly.
4 Lillian was astonished. The little
il token was three dozen American Beau
n ties with stems as tall as she was.
\ Then the nurse handed her the morn
n ing paper, which gave an exaggerated
Y account of her accident, adding that
amputation had been necessary.
n Her face famed. Immediately she
4 understood the willing releases that
u had been extended to her.
But instantly came a softer flush
and the snap died out of her eyes. The
other! Here was real sympathy. and
he had loved her music. Now that she
was facing bare facts, 1t came To heI
"a that he must have loved her, loved
III her for her music. Would he care fol
n her now?
VI The next day came more flowers
ri from Stuart, but none from the trio
q Indeed, as Lily convalesced she saw
III Tom, Dick and Harry from her win
dow enjoying the society Of othel
I'd girls.
.o She was very much relieved.
-. Then one day she came downstair'
" and received Stuart, her much-ban
60 daged arm and hand in sling.
II was afternoon and he appeare'
perfectly at home in frock coat ant
gray trousers. She thought instantl
Oh of Toms remark of buckles and featt
up ers. II had come true.
Sol Then he told her that he had give
lis I'D his struggle in the world of inver
Ae' ton. "My older brother died In Emf
III land and / must go TO take his place,
ne he said. 1T Is my duty. Will 20
X go with me as my wife, Lily? ! lev
"a you"
III But my hand?"
ne 1T breaks my heart for you. an
ou there will be no more music. b
" why should 1t make difference?
.n love you just the same"
ne Lily's eyes shone. "Yes. there vi
'n' be music some day. The papers mat