The evening leader., 1916-11-08
A TWICE
TOLD TALE
BY SADIE OLcOTT


mandant Of cadets at the West Point
Military academy, had been busy all
day with his duties pertaining to the
graduation Of the first class Of the
corps Of cadets and in the evening
strolled up to the West Point hotel
Colonel Beverage had met SO many
strangers that he could not remember
them all, though being a prominent
person at West Point he was himself
remembered. A maiden lady who was
nearing the close of her fourth decade
nodded to him. Not being able to
place her, he joined her, with a view
to learning who she was without be-
traying his ignorance. They were soon
seated on a corner Of the porch, and
the colonel opened the conversation.
There Is a far denser crowd than
that to be found here in June when
was a cadet. The youngsters don't
have the opportunity to spoon here
that we had. In those days 1t was
possible to get girl of here by her
self and make no end of love to her."
IT presume, colonel" said the lady.
''that you did your share Of that sort
Of thing"
eve all did our duty, I assure you, In
keeping up the credit of the academy
as entertainers"
"Did you ever make proposition on
this porch?'
''That is pointed question. but since
you ask about what occurred twenty
years ago presume there is nothing
indelicate In acknowledging that
did"
"Was the girl attractive, or was 1t
the surroundings rather than her per
sonality that moved your"
"She was delicious!'
That's new word to apply to q
woman"
at expresses exactly what she was
to me-"
ado you remember on what part OF
the portico this interesting scene took
place."
Remember! l shall never forget
IL was III tulS very COILeE.
"Were you accepted?'
"On the contrary. my proposal was
received with merry laugh. You
cadets, she said, ARE incorrigible
Yours is the fourth proposal l have re
ceived since have been here. West
Point is the only place in the world,
believe. where proposal means moth
! ing
Mine meant good deal. but it's re
ception took me fat ahack Instead
Of trying to convince her that was ir
earnest | forced smile and said
/ You top me bv one You have receiv
| ed four proposals. have made hui
| three
Again came that laugh though now
| 1t seemed 10 me fat the"c was mock.
cry in It. ! Was cutie sire the girl be
.ovcd that tGcre vas something Sc
rioCs IN v''"t hnd %%id 70 her and
waS cA'9,'i'''- tha S+ah 81" vas miving
&c. T"t'!'H'ly er,lravoreI TO conceal
the feet .na~ 'r:,S in earnest nv
Sve1"i"<r III Il Lcroic manner that I
ioTCl her and her only and would nev.
or lov" "''r other woman. And that
Wa -" ruth. though | intended she
S4o"'A '"''S'der it mere gallantry. I
have lever married and will never
marry
Tie lady was silent for time, SEEM
inglT Impressed by this onesided ro-
nance. Presently she said:
May rot the girl have received your
proposition rs she did because of the
reputation cadets have for making love
to pass the t!me?"
Perhaps she did not take me seri-
ously. But | had done all 1 could do
in the matter. | had offered her my
love and my hand. She had laughed
at me What else could do but laugh
back?"
She was very young. presume"
Eighteen
And you?"
"Twenty-two. 1t was the year was
graduated"
After brief silence the lady con-
t1nued: 1T seems to me. colonel, that,
considering the reputation cadets have
or at least had when you were cadet
you should not have considered your
rejection necessarily as a true express
sion Of this young girls feelings. You
should have tried again."
II was ordered to the western coast;
she remained in the east"
Il see. How many such cases there
are In the world! Two hearts meet
and mingle. Before there can be a
proper understanding between them
they are spirited apart, perhaps to the