The Carlisle independent., 1915-10-28
TOM, DICK AND HARRY
By LOUISE OLIVER.

PrODaDly It was the GlcKname Dy which her intimates referred to her frayed friend that appealed to Lily's contrariness tor pity) to the extent that she always stanchly stood up for him.
 They called him that because he was a mystery. Not only was his inn maculate linen fringed and his one suit and topcoat Yisibly mended, but he had presented card bearing the remarkable name of Stuart-Rennark Dryton Sennly to the family the day he brought Lily home after tall on the ice.
 Some day he'll come in gf Id buckles and erlnine, and flap 8 feathered hat at the rest of us ' lows," teased Tom Perrine, and S&yJ Here you little shrimps and tadpoles, ! all of you must scoot now. I'm the Knight of Ump-de-Ump, the Prince of So-So, and also Lord Helpus. Git! The fair Lillian is mine!'"
 Lily's sister laughed. T don't be- lieye he would talk that much in a year. When be comes Lillian has to get out all her oYertures, etudes and nocturnes and play for him all eve ming. He just sits and eats her up with his eyes,
 'I think you are all hateful. He is smart and well educated, and it's a shame to make fun Of him because he is poor
 When Lily and Tom were alone the subject was dropped.
 Lily, l want to talk to you seri- ously." It had come. The corners or Then she lowered them hastily and looked thoughtful.
 "Seriously?"
 "Yes, Lily. It's time we had an un- derstanding. Don't put me on any longer. l just cant stand it.
 Lily puckered her brows. T can't tell you today, Tom. l must have while to think"
 That night much the same conver- sation took place with Dick lngraham.
 Dick promised to wait.
 Then came Harry, who also agreed to wait.
 It 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 1t was each in turn. They were all dear boys.
 But there was something could not tell just what 1t was. In the last few weeks it had seemed harder than ever to make up her mind. It must be either Tom, Dick, Harry, or She flushed and looked into her startled eyes in the mirror.
 The next day Lily crushed her hand.
 It was all very terrible and she had | to have anesthetics and doctors andy trained nurse. When she began 1b realize what had happened her room was full of flowers and the nurse pre- sented the envelopes that had come in the boxes.
 One by one Lily read the letters with puzzled frown. From what she could gather, Tom, Dick and Harry were withdrawing their proposals for the present. They all had the contin- ued-ln-our-next tone.
 Monsieur Beaucaire had sent flow CTS. too, and note
 Dear Miss Lillian: Please accept this little token of my sympathy. There is something of the greatest inn portance that l would like to tell you as soon as you can see me. l hope that you will soon cease to suffer- Yours faithfully, Stuart Sennly"
 Lillian was astonished. The little token was three dozen American Beau ties with stems as tall as she was. Then the nurse handed her the morn ing paper, which gave an exaggerated account of her accident, adding that amputation had been necessary
 Her face famed. Immediately she understood the willing releases that mad 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 ne had loved her music. Now that she was facing bare facts, it came to her that he must have loved her, loved her for her music. Would he care for ler now?
 The next day came more flowers from Stuart but none from the trio. Indeed, as Lily convalesced she saw Tom, Dick and Harry from her win low enjoying the society of other girls.
 She was very much relieved.
 Then one day. she came downstairs and received Stuart, her much ban Jagged arm and hand in q Hing
 It was afternoon and he appeared perfectly at home in a frock coat and gray trousers. She thought instantly of Toms remark Of buckles and fcath- ers. It had come true.
 Then he told her tha. he had given ID his struggle in the world Of inyen. ion. My older brother dicd in Eng and and must go to take his place." 1e said. 1t is my duty. Viii you go with me as ny wire, Lily? love you"