Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-11-19
Four Were of
One Mind
By J. A. WALDRoN


and damsels were paired, in accord
with summer usage, but none were as
constant and satisfied with one an
OTHER, with each other, and with
everything about them as these.
The four had been together for
weeks and lad made up their minds
that as pairs and as friends they
should remain for ever and day.
Bessie was Jacks fancee and Tes-
sic was Harrys and their spirits
were like the weather. which had con
tinued glorious so long that local
wiseacres shook their heads and pre-
dicted some atmospheric CONFUSION
as to a sequel
Up to a certain day Bessie and Jack
had agreed perfectly upon diversion.
No such thing as time-killing was
thought of, for the hours flew mag
icaly, and moonlight evenings had
charms that brilliant days could not
surpass And Tessie and Harry were
as mutual. If il happened that Jessie
wished to motor or golf, Harry coin
cided happily; or if Bessie expressed
a desfe to go ont in motor boat,
Jack at once u; for his craft. And
there were times when all four were
of one mid Jack and Harry each
had a motor boat, a canoe. motor
car, and plenty of the sfnews of joyous
activity vulgarly called money.
On this certain day, however, when
Jack suggested motoring Bessie said
she wanted 10 play tennis. Strangely,
TesSie also IS nted to motor, while
Harry was Tor canoeing. Long at
evcns, they now We're at odds. But
proverbs presumed to have been based
upon human conduct down the ages
verify such things.
Jack still insisted upon motoring.
At the moment it seemed that his in
sistence made Bessie determined not
to meteor Harry stood aloof, having
expressed his preference. Tessie
caught more Of jacks mood and de-
clared that size would motor with
him If Bessie remained Of an opposing
mind-and, of course, if Jack cared
to have her along. That settled it.
Bessie's eyes snapped, and Harry
turned his back,
So Tessie and Jack entered the lat
ters long, low, rukish car, after due
preparation, and shot away, never
even turning their heads. Bessie,
seemingly forgetting her tennis desire,
strolled down toward the boat house,
IA
dies.
Jack drove his motor in silence, vet
at speed, until the hotel vicinity was
lost and something like seclusion was
found. Then he slowed down.
"Well?" he queried peering into
Tessies eyes.
"Well?" she replied
Ripping! Wasn't it managed well?
Your part of it, | mean. You're the
cleverest girl / ever knew!"
rs that ALP" She look@l at him
with tantalizing spouts
"only ths,.sbessginpiag Youre the
dearest, the sweesest
"s-s-s-al..ssot so Gstl Am I not
still engaged to H&ry?"
That's only angirrelevant formal
ity. Engagements are made to be
broken Hello, I've got a sooted
spark plugl"
He stopped the machine. He didn't
have sooted spark plug He simply
had an excuse Before he got out, in
line with his subterfuge, he looked up
and down the road and found clear
right of way for the subsequent pro-
ceeding He put an arm about Tessie
and kissed her without ado. And Tes-
sic kissed him back. After a bit, the
spark plug being forgotten, the ma
chine started slowly.
Il don't believe either of them sus-
pected a thing!' said Tesse.
NO. I've been acting for days and
days, just as | told you when we met
alone for a moment last night And
| guess you have, too"
You guess?"
Il know. And I'm tired of acting.
I've pretended to be in love with Bess,
but you-you-youW
The machine stopped again.
But weren't you really
in love with Bess
once!"
mo. / thought | was. But how
different"
Jack and Tessie decided, before re
turning to the hotel, that Bessie and
Harry had no rights whatever they
We're bound to respect. But theyswere
nervous on their return, and debated
as to whether they should look up the
unfortunates and settle the matter
above board-amicably if possible, but
surely even if enmity should ensue-
or run away forthwith without ex-
PLANTATION. They decided to face the
consequences.
Harry and Bessie could not be
found, and for very good reason AS