Heads or Tails

Bruce Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 2957, 3 May 1898, Page 4

Heads or Tails

' Marie,' I began awk wardly * f 6rt£ had never proposed before, 'you must know— -you must have seen for a long time that— that— l love you.' Marie said nothing, but aat looking down at her hands, which were twist* ing a bit of lace which she called a handkerchief. She was smiling before 1 began. She/ now looked distressed. - I do not like Marie to look distressed, for she then looks as if she were going to cry. And a crying, woman is not pretty* ' Sj for the minute I laid aside my own affair to comfort Mariew . 'Marie/ I began, venturing with much trepidation to lay my hand softly upon both of hers, ' what'athe matte; ?' She looke up. Her lips were ( quivering, and a tear, balanced for a start stood in each eye. , « I don't know what to do/ ebe whispered brokenly. •Well V I said enquiringly, invil* . ing her to continue. ' She hesitated nervously for several , seconds. Then she went on most inaudibly : — , *You see ; Mr Transome told me last night what you told me just now.' 1 Damn Transome !' I said to my self ; [ and to Marie : — * Well, Philip Transome is a fine fellow, you know.' 'Of coarse,' said Marie, acquiescing a little too readily, I thought. • And he's good looking.' • Yea.' * • And rich.' 'Yes. 1 This itemising a rival's good points to comfort the woman you love is f rather straining on ones generosity. i It isn't so bad if the woman rewards your generosity, as of course she [ should. But Marie didn't. So I $ stopped. . 'Well, where's the trouble, then ?' I asked, at length. ' I don't know what to do,' she re--3 lied, repeating her former wail. I began to see. It was hard to L decide between two lovers. I could t sympathise with Marie, for I had once 3 been in a similar predicament myself. , 'You don't know which one of us to t take?' I suggested, after a minute or 3 two of silence, attempting to put some sympathy into my voice. Marie di4 not notice the sympathy. She merely looked uncomfortable at this bald statement of the difficulty* But she did not deny it. ' You like me, don't you. ?f I ventur- ' ed, with some fea* in my heart. Marie nodded. I felt very complain cert. : ' And you like Philip Transome ?' . 1 continued. She nodded a second time. I believe c I swore at Transome again. | ' But you can't decide between us. , Is that it?' r 'That's it,' acknowledged Marie, - weakly. 1 You have tried it every way ?' 'I have, and I can't'— here Marie blushed, but it was a blush I did not like, but it was for Transome ae much ' as it was for me — ' and I cant tell which of you I like the better. The person who sits in the seat of the undecided sits not easily. This I knew. And any decision is better than no decision. This also I knew. So out of the sympathy which 6 1 had for Marie I made up my mind to help | her to arrive at some decision, even though I lost by it. But I did not ; ntend losing if I could help it. I thought for a long time, but nothing camei Then I looked up at Marie. Her eyes were looking expectantly on me, as though she had instinctively learned of my intention to help her and was awaiting my plan. ' Well,' said I, seizing on an idea that just then popped inte my head, * since you have tried all other ways, suppose yon toss up for us/ 4 What ! ' exclaimed Marie, half starting from her chair. ' Toss op for us,' I repeated calmly. Marie sank back in her chair and gazed at me in amazement. Marie's surprise at my suggestion angered me somewhat. Of coarse I can understand that chosing a husband in such a way may seem a little queer to some girls, but they needn't act as though it were so unusual* Besides there are worse ways. 4 Toss up for you !' Marie managed to gasp out at length. 1 Certainly,' I replied, with some asperity. ' Have you anything better to suggest V A reluctant 'No' came from Marie 'You'd better toss up, then,' I said decisively, drawing a shilling from one of my pockets and offering it to her. She took it and gazed at it for a long time. I began to get impatient for the coin was li ke any other of its kind and I could see no Treason why ■be sboulb study it. Then I «aw

that the look on her face was the look of one who was thinkiAgv Suddenly she rail ed her head and gafced steadily at me. • And then a smile that I liked ■trangely well slowly came into her eyeii '•'•'; '•■• '^ ' ■ •■;■ 'No, you doit' she said, returning the coin, ' I don't know how. We both stood up. « Heads it is Tranaome; tails it is I V I suggested briefly. Marie nodded. I balanced the coin 6n my first finger. I felt sure of the result, for the man never lived who , is so lucky so I am. I even began to pity poor Tranaome. Bat before the feeling had much opportunity to grow I flip* ped the shilling whirling into the air and as it struck the floor placed my foot upon it. I looked at Marie. ' Which shall it be f I aaked softly. i You,' she whispered. I slipped my foot aside, and we both stjoped. Victoria's! rather maidenish-looking head was uppermost. It was Transome We both straightened up. I looked Marie, and Marie looked at me. She was pale and I could not have been otherwise. I had naked all on the turn of a coin— and it had turned the wrong way. Without a word — for I was not wise in the ways of woman — I walked out of the room, secured my hat and Btarted to open the door and go out into the street. As my hand was turning the knob something touched my arm. I turned and looked round. There stood Marie, with a little smile — a little, beseeching smile— on her face. ' ' Dick ' she whispered and then was silent. I still held on to the door-knob. 'Dick!' — this time the smile was still more beseeching — ' can't you see it? It's— it's you, anyhow. I saw and my hand left the doorknob. And in the little excitement that followed 1 also may have kissed Marie. Such things have happened.