The Washington herald., 1915-09-13
DAILY SHORT STORY.
The Fate of the Four.
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

Lily was peach. Not only on account
OF her creamy complexion and violet eyes
with extremely long lashes. nut she had
a way with her. a way that made every
one in the world. especially each of her
suitors. feel that he was the only person
upon the globe who amounted to much
The sutors just mentioned consisted OF
Tom. Dick and Harry. 1 could say
Harry. Dick and Tom just as well, for 1t
really happened that Harry Hampden.
Richard Ingraham and Thomas Perrine
were the names Of the favored ones
Then there was Monsieur Beaucaire!
Probably it was the nickname by which
her intimates referred to her frayed
friend that appealed to Lily's contrari-
ness (or PITY to the extent that she al
ways stanchly stood up for him.
They called him that because he was
a mystery. Not only was his imma Gu
late linen fringed and his one suit and
topcoat visibly mended. but he had pre-
sented a card bearing the remarkable
name of Stuart Remark Dryton Sennly
to the family the day he brought Lily
home after a fall on the ice.
Some day he'll come in gold buckles
and ermine. and nap his feathered hat
at the rest of US fellows" teased Tom
y,
shrimps and tadpoles. all of you must
scoot now. I'm the knight Of Ump-de-
imp, the Prince of $3.50. and also Lord
Helpus. Git, The fair Lillian Is mine "
Lily's sister laughed. It don't believe
he would talk that much in a year. When
he comes. Lillian has to get out all her
overtures, etudes and nocturnes and play
for him all evening. He just sits and
eats her up with his eyes"
Il think you are all hateful. He is
smart and we'll 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. 1 want to talk to you seriously" "
1t had come. The corners of her mouth
cd them hastily and looked thoughtful.
'Seriously?'
Yes. Lily. It's time we had an under
standing. Don't put me of any longer.
just can't stand It. You know I love
you madly. There isn't any reason that
We can't set married right away If you
will only say Yes You know they
gave me a boost at the bank and We can
get along in great shape. You are the
only girl in the world for me!''
Lily puckered her brows. II can't tell
you today. Tom. I must have a while
to think"
We'll. All right. I guess I'll have to
wait"
tion took place with Dick Ingraham.
Only Dick had prospects of losing rich
uncle. He had a nice, gentlemanly posi-
ton as clerk in the water office. He
knew he could not undertake Lily on
that. and he put it as delicately as he
could about his uncle. Lily was very
kind.
You are a dear boy. Dick, but really
I'd like you as well without the money.
But can't you wait little while? Real
ly don't know
Thus encouraged, 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 soElething-she could
not tell just what 1t was. In the last few
weeks it had seemed harder than ever to
make up her mind. Could 1t be one of
the others? For there were others. doz-
ems. who had offered themselves as cam
She thought them all over. No!
It must be either Tom. Dick. Harry. or
She flushed and looked into her startled
eyes In the mirror.
Then she turned out the light and
jumped into bed.
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 real
lie what had happened. her room was
full Of flowers and the nurse presented
the envelopes that had come in the
boxes.