Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1915-12-09
TR|XiE'S CHOICE
BY GRACE kERRIGAN.

and Mrs Lane stared after the whirl-
wind OF pink that swept past her. She
went into the library in some pertur-
baton.
What is the matter with Trixie?'
she asked the doctor.
The same old story, Mary. It's
this Harry, Frank and Bob business.
Harry Brinton called this morning and
asked me to use my influence with her
and | promised! Frank Demarest, on
the phone, made the same plea-l
promised him, too! The transaction
struck me as being SO absurd, just
called up Bob and asked him If he
needed my assistance, and he said he
didn't need any help in his counting
BY the way, my dear, they are all
coming to dinner this evening"
u shall ask the Hinman girls, then"
decided Mrs Lane, as she went to the
telephone.
Trixie Lane dressed, for dinner that
night with her mind quite made up
to accept Frank Demarest.
Trixie Lane was not coquette.
Still, she wore her green charmeuse
because it was Franks favorite
among her gowns. and she wore pink
roses because Harry liked the combi-
nation of pink and green, and the
tiny pink rose tucked behind her ear
in the coil of soft black hair was
mute testimonial to Bob's remark
h,t eh oil
in her hair.
So when she greeted the three
young men with equal cordiality,
Franks heart leaped at sight Of the
green frock, Harry smiled quietly at
the symphony in pink and green, and
Bob never saw the rose in her hair
because his eyes didn't 60 beyond her
lovely face.
The Hinman girls, Nellie and Grace,
were charmingly vivacious and de-
voted themselves to Bob Hayward
and Harry Brinton, so that Trixie
found herself laughing gayly at
Franks salles and quite deceived her
interested parents.
Really, | was hoping it might be
Bob Hayward" said the doctor after
dinner.
so was t. agreed his wife; Il like
his independence-and, oh! dear, I'm
afraid he is my favorite."
Il wish he were Trixies!'
Meanwhile, Frank Demarest was
proposing to Trixie in the moonlit
south piazza. And Trixie, in spite
of her resolution to the contrary,
gently refused him.
"Did-your father say anything to
you? He rather-rather promised to
speak a good word for me- growled
Frank, quite unpleasantly.
You asked father"
Yes" Franks voice trailed off
aimlessly.
I'm sorry, Frank" said Trixie, with
new decision in her tone; but ! real
ly do not love you-as l should-and
so-you understand"
81 understand" he said bitterly.
Shall we return to the house,"
They had reached the front door
when Harry Brnton rushed out.
oh, Frank, they are looking for
you. Miss Hinman says you prom
ised to sing for her."
Frank gladly turned Trixie over to
Mr.. Brinton and went indoors, deter
mined to show Miss Lane that his
heart was not quite broken even If
she had refused to marry him. Pres
emily his voice rang out cheerfully in
the latest popular song and TriXie,
listening, smiled and sighed at the
same time.
Then, Harry Brinton put his fate
to the test once more and received
Trixie's gentle refusal. If he stormed
for awhile who can blame him?
your father promised to speak a
good word for me- he added gloom.
lily
You asked him?" questioned Trixie
coldly.
This morning"
Il am sorry"
So Harry said goodnight and went
home.
Trixie felt miserable, but she was
unprepared when Bob Hayward took
advantage of her being alone for a
moment in the library and deliberate
ly planted himself between her and
the door.
"Trix," he said firmly, II came
here tonight with the intention OF
asking you to marry me. You know
| love you-and, how about it?' he
asked grimly.
Miss Lanes heart was futtering
strangely and she put up one little
hand to still it's beating.
Bob" she whispered, "do you care
very much?"
so much," he growled, that when
your father called me up this morn
ing and asked me jokingly If l
wanted his influence in the matter,
| was tempted to come up and thrash
him! Honest Injun, Trixie, | was
hot! If a man can't win the girl he
wants without help let him go with
out her! l want you-but | don't
want you unless you love me-love
me beyond everybody and everything
see? How about it, Trix?"
He stood with his hands thrust be-
hind him as If afraid he might be
tempted to take her in his arms.
Trixie looked up at him and her
eyes filed with tears.
ooh, Bob-Bob-it has been you
all the time and l didn't know it,
she sobbed; and it was not until she
had laid her rosy cheeks against the
black lapel Of his coat that his arms
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