Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1920-01-22
BEGINNING AGAIN
BY MARY WINIFRED FORD.

unbearable," and Dick Hollister paced
the room up and down as if uncertain
what to do.
"Dick, she is only a mere child-she
does it only to tease you, and you know
she doesn't care a might about any of
Them" Tom added c~onsolingly.
Tom Brewster was Dicks closest
friend, and Tom knew only too we'll
Dicks greatest fault, which was his
jealousy over any attention shown Fiji
Gray, his sweetheart from childhood.
Fiji vas home for the holidays from
boarding school, and Dick was home
also for the holidays from college. The
first few days were delightful Ones for
Dick and Fiji until Bob Merrill arrived.
Barbara Merrill had met Fiji at a
house party the year previous, and
they had become good friends. Bob
had been out West for five years and
had just returned heme-"Handsome
Bob" as he was called by his most
intimate friends. After securing an
introduction to Fiji, Bob fairly mOnOp-
Olized her, and fully three days had
gone by and Dick had not even a
glimpse of Fiji. He called at her home
and 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 Fiji, and then sudden.
ly would come upon them arm in arm
laughing happily. Fiji looked so I'M
concerned when she saw him and
smiled up at him so pleasantly, that
Dick could only look at her and pass
on without q word. Fiji could not un-
derstand for a moment; then remem-
bering the old Dick whom she knew
so we'll before they went away to
school, she knew he was jealous of
Bob Merrill's attentions, and Fiji 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 Fiji thought of
it, 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 Merrill's reception, to
which they were both invited, Fiji 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 it any longer; somehow
O other I wish the two weeks were
up and that l 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 Fiji 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 a friend at the station
not offended are you? Thanks" and
Fiji could only stare at the telephone
in a daZed sort of fashion.
"Whatever will l do; the idea of him
disappointing me at the last moment
why didn't l let Dick call for me-" and
going to the telephone she called Dick.
"Yes, Dick, dear, I've decided hat I
don't want to go with Tom; in fact. l
want you to call for me-Will yOu?"
"Why-er-yes, if Mr.. Merrill is not
going to-" and to Fiji, Dicks voice
sounded very cold.
At the reception that evening poor
Fiji had a miserable time of it 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
tainly are having a wonderful evening
II don't know when l saw Dick sc at
tentive to a 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 Fiji was
left to wonder whose engagement it
was, Dick and Barbara's or BOb's, and
feeling certain that NO n 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 1t, she was talking aloud: ITO
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 a voice
was saying, "No, dear little playmate.
I'm still your Dick and what's more"
"Why, Dick Hollister, the idea of
YOU talking to me like that when Bar
bara and-oh, let me pass" but Dick
stood in her way and taking the little
hands in his he told her how Barbara,
he. Tom and Bob had conspired in or
der to cure her Of her firtations and
L4o-f4r him