The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-01-15
THRILLING WITH FATE
BY GRACE WEATHERsY.

molly PnlppS sat very SCli At the pl-
ano, her hands lying idly on the keys.
The room was darkening fast. and 1t
was that peaceful hour between day
and night. On the wide, deep lounge
Harry Curtis lay, sprawled among the
cushions, lost in thought. 1t was a
common thing for him to drop in and
spend an hour or two with Molly. She
was, and always had been, even from
infancy, Harry's best pal, but his feel
ing for her was purely brotherly af-
lection. Who, besides herself, knew
that Molly adored him-loved every
hair on his curly brown head?
The young fellow stretched lazily
and broke the silence. 81 guess that's
about right, Moll. Love does not come
but once, and If don't hurry up it will
be too late for me-"
Molly laughed amusedly. you?
Why, child, you're barely thirty !!
You've got loads Of time"
"No, / haven't. No man wants to
wait until he's an old man before get
ting married. Why, If I. had a nice
girl, I'd get married right away"
Molly's loyal heart contracted with
fear. She had adored him from child
hood. He had always been her hero,
and now he cared nothing for her.
Harry went on, blissfully uncon-
scious of the havoc he was making.
"Of course, I've known lots of girls,
but I've never met the girl, you know"
.Molly's pride came to her rescue.
Harry, I'll help you find her If you
like. know lots of lovely girls, and l
am sure could find one for you."
When he had zone Molly buried her
head in the cushions he had just va
Gated, and cried to her hearts content.
When she WAS calmer she planned for
long time. Hell get all that is COM
ing to him-and mOre!"
A week later Harry found small
scented envelope In his mail. 1t was
Molly's invitation to spend two weeks
at her camp in the Maine woods.
When at first he was introduced to
the gay group Of young folks who
| formed the party he was a trifie dis
appointed at MOlly's selection. What
did she want lot of silly, frilly girls
at camp for, anyway? Camp was the
place for jolly, strong girls, who
weren't afraid of freckles. Then he
remembered. Molly had promised to
'get him girl"
! AS the lovely autumn days wore on
Molly's heartache grew worse. Harry
was having the time Of his young life
He had found five" girl to hike with
Ia girl who could play tennis to per
fection--a dainty, frilly girl to take
canoeing. girl who could sing divine
ly. From morning till night he was
| on the go, with always pretty girl al
his side. But one night-there came 9
change 1t was the middle of the sec
ond week, lovely, balmy night
Harry, who was rather tired Of listen
ing to the frilly girls silly chatter, wal
seeking quiet place to rest awhile.
We wondered idly where Molly was
He hadn't been seeing much Of .hel
lately. The more he thought Of it, thu
more convinced he became Of the fac
that Molly his Molly, was deliberatel!
negiecting him. 1t never occurred t.
him that he might be neglecting her
Suddenly he stopped short and lis
tened. 1t was mans voice, pleading
Molly, dearest, do love you, yol
know It. Won't you-dear?" Harr,
held his breath. Silence. Could 1t b.
possible that Molly was accepting
him? The impudent fool! He'd teacl
him! oh, why DIDN'T Molly say some
thing? Then came the unmistakabl
sound of a kiss. That was the las
straw. That was too much. His ange
at white heat, he ran forward, throw
ing discretion to the Winds He sim
ply wouldn't allow It. Now the benc
was In plain sight, and sure enough
there sat couple locked in each 9th
ers arms. In twinkling Harry ha
torn the man from the girl, and stOo
facing him, his eyes blazing. "Yo
will-will your he snarled, an
struck. him full in the face. But hi
adversary was no weakling, and Harr
had his hands full protecting himsel
from the vOlley of blows 'showered o
him. At length he administered
sound punch which sent the man to til
ground in heap. The girl, who her
tofOre had remained mOtiOnleSs wit
surprise and fear, now sprang forward
"Ralph-oh, Ralph, please look at me
+ The sound of her voice was like das
of cold water to Harry. He looked 8
her. 1t was not Molly! That is-nt
Molly Denton.
Mortified and ashamed, he Eelpe
the man to his feet, mumbling his apo
ogies, with poor grace. Relief was VI
permost in his heart. He had anOt
er chance--it wasn't his Molly! Z
ran back to the house and found Mol
curled up In the hammock on tt
porch. At the sight of his torn an
very dirty clothes Molly sprang TO h
feet. "Why, Harry Curtis, where hay
you been? What has happened?' b
that young man was too glad to ha,
found her alone to waste time in e.
a plantations. He gathered the slim d
: ure in his arms and proceeded to NAL
up for all lost opportunities. Wht
= at last speech was possible, he salt
molly, you sure did teach me lie
son. I'll never be so foolish agai
Each of those girls was all right In a
way. but there wasn't one who cOu