St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1917-10-12
Picking the
Better Man
A Thrilling Episode Enabled
Polly to Decide.
BY AGNES C. BROCAN.

by ftNiNEO ~. pINO/1<tIN.
| shall never forget that summer,
the most important season OF my
life. David was then twenty-five,
tall and straight as an arrow, cool
of disposition, never fustered, while
was not only full Of whims, but
impulsive and never certain Of do
ing the right thing at the right
time.
had known him since | was
little girl and had always looked up
to him as something too far above
such u chit as |. Cyril Marston /
did not meet till that eventful sum
mer, but as soon as he saw me it
was plain that / had made an i'm
preston.
Ny uncle--my dear uncle who
loved me as his own child-was with
me, or, rather, was under his care,
and | knew he was watching me,
knowing that ! had two strings TO
my bow. tried to get out Of him
which was his choice, but he would
not tell me. / have since known
that ho preferred TO leave it to me
to choose iustinctively the better
man.
Ny uncle babe me goodby US ]
stood on the steps Of the summer
hotel. Have a good time, Polly"
he said at parting, "and may the
best man win"
laughed, but my face flushed
hotly, and when uncle had gone |
sat there upon the veranda think
ing things over. You see, David
had been asking me TO marry him
both in and out Of season for long
time, but why hurry TO decide so
important question, for David
would always be waiting patient and
faithful, immoyable rs the sphinx
So through this one long sum
mer vacation at least | determined
to think no more Of the ycxing qucs-
ton Of marrying or giving in mar.
riagc, and then Cyril Marsden up.
peared on the scene.
II was very gratifying, ! must adj
init, to be the one chosen above all
others by man so greatly admired,
and we were soon jolly good COM
panions, he and |, always enjoying
together the little excursions and |
fctcs which the guests had planned. |
Then one day David came. II
startled me, and said; "What!
You here ?"
yes" he answered quietly, "it Is
l. You do not seem pleased to see
me. Pollyg"
III ] had known that YOU were
coming" ! answered ilippantly, II
would have met YOU with n brass
band. As IL is"-
Dayid's face grew very stern.
"les," he said questioningly. las il
isg"
81 have made another engage
ment for this Afternoon" finished.
David studied me rcproyingly.
"Thcn. Polly" he said slowly, II
will not stay 10 interrupt your
plans"
His glance followed mine down
the roadway. whore Cyril Marsden
came swinging along, looking very
in his yachting ilannels.
David barely acknowledged the
introduction as | presented the two
men, but Cyril was charming and
gracious as ever aud thoughtfully
invited David TO accompany us on
our pleasure trip-an invitation
which was curtly refused.
"Goodby, Polly" David said in
ow voice. 81 think that | under
stand everything now"
That summer upon the lake shore
was one round Of gayety, but | did
not see or hear from David again.
Ii was after We had returned TO
he city that Cyril disappointed my
time friends by proving
hat upon his part at least ours had
not been an idle Irritation, for he
'sked that world old question, and,
istening, thrilled at the beauty Of
ais language.
lie had driven me about in his
electric as | shopped one glorious
morning, and We stopped TO dine at
! restaurant on the ninth floor Of
,reat department store building. ,
IL was when We had settled our 1
elves in secluded corner that my /
owing eyes fell upon David. lie
iad evidently finished his meal and 81
vas leaning back YEARLY. y
How white and thin he lookedl
steadily all summer with v
mt rest or recreation had been too e
Iard on him. u
The pianist began 10 play some
hing weird and sad, and the violin 2
oined in sobbingly looked down
pom my corsage bouquet Of white
iolets tied with silken cord, and
csentmmt rose within me at the v
hought that with all his unceasing {
lbOr David could not hope to buy b
he yiolets which Cyril bestowed so s