Ellsworth American., 1919-12-31
BEGINNING AGAIN
BY MARY WlNlFRED FORD.

W. isis' py Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate1
But Tom, what's the use. she win
only start all over again-its getting
unbearable," and Dick Hollister paced
the room up and down as if uncertain
what to do.
DICK, she is only mere child-she
does It only to tease you. and you know
she doesn't care might about any of
them Tom added consolingly.
Tom Brewster was Dicks closest
friend, and Tom knew only too we'll
Dicks greatest fault, which was his
Jealousy over any attention shown Fif
Gray, his sweetheart from childhood.
Fin was home for the holidays from
boarding school. and Dick was home
also for the holidays from college. The
first few days were delightful ones far
DICK and Fiji until Bob Merrill arrived
Barbara Merrill had met Fifi at a
mousse party the year previous, and
they had become good friends. Bob
had been out West for five years and
had just returned home-"Handsome
BOD as he was called by his most
intimate friends. After securing an
introduction to Fifi, Bob fairly monop-
olized her. and fully three days had
gone by now and Dick had not even
glimpse of Fiji. He called at her home
ana was informed that Miss Fiji"
was out motoring with Mr.. Bob. and
pulling his cap far over his eyes and
with his hands deep in his pockets,
DICK would tear around the town look
ing for Bob and Fifi, and then sudden
" would come upon them arm in arm
laughing happily. Fifi looked so un-
concerned when she saw him and
smiled up at him so pleasantly. that
DICK could only look at her and pass
on without a word. Fifi could not un-
derstand for a moment; then remem-
herring the old Dick whom she knew
80 well before they went away to
school, she knew he was Jealous of
Bob Merrilrs attentions, and Fifi de-
cided to cure Dicks jealousy. So the
following day when she was with Bob
and Dick appeared, she passed him by
without any recognition on her part
whatever. The more Fifi thought of
II, the more she wanted to tease Dick,
so when she received a note from Dick
asking her permission to act as her es-
cort to Barbara Merrills reception. to
which they were both invited. Fifi de-
clined with thanks, and added that Mr..
Merrill was going to call for her.
tom, this is going the limit just
can't stand ii any longer; somehow
or other I wish the two weeks were
up and that / was back at college,
plugging away, almost anything rather
than watch that fellow take her away
from me-
"Dick, don't be foolish and stay
away from the reception-why don't
you show Fifi that you don't care
why not make her Jealous?
THAT you. Fiji? Awfully sorry. lit
tie girl, but it will be impossible for
me to come over in the car for you.
l have to meet friend at the station
not offended are you? Thanks" and
Fiji could only stare at the telephone
Ill Il bilLpu SDTt OI ldSHlOD.
whatever will do; the idea of him
disappointing me at the last moment
why didn't let Dick call for me-" and
going to the telephone she called Dick.
Yes, Dick. dear, I've decided that
don't want to go with Tom; in fact.
want you to call for me-will you?"
"Why-er-yes, if Mr.. Merrill is not
going to-" and to Fif, Dicks voice
sounded very cold.
At the reception that evening poor
Fiji had q miserable time of 1t with
four conspirators around. Barbara
fairly monopoliZed Dick and Dick look
ed like the devoted lover. Bob was all
eyes and ears for his little sweetheart
Nellie Lowe, and Tom played his part
to perfection. Going TO Fiji who look
ed so out of place alone, he said smil-
ingly, "Well, Barbara and Dick GER
tanly are having a wonderful evening
Il don't know when I saw Dick so at
tentive to young lady before, and
look at our Handsome Bob'-oh. by
the way. do you know they are going
to announce the engagement tomor-
row."
At this point of the conversation
Tom was called away, and Fii was
left to wonder whose engagement it
was, Dick and Barbara's or Bob's, and
feeling certain that no one saw her
she stole out into the conservatory
and sitting behind some palms the
brown curly head dropped and the
tears fell fast. And before she real
lied it, she was talking aloud; "To
think my little playmate and sweet
heart is mine no more" and the tears
continued to fall. A heavy step sound
ed close by, but Fiji did not pay any
attention to it, and presently voice
was saying, "No, dear little playmate
Pm still your Dick and what's more"
"Why, Dick Hollister, the idea of
49,, 4a1,-too, IN mo lilya Athat mhan Rar-