FAIRLY WARNED

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 23, Issue 8, 30 January 1912, Page 3

FAIRLY WARNED

1 Bjr Jeanette Ifloholi PhilUj#* 1

(From the Washington Home Magazine* by Special Permission.) TRACEY CHANNON and Annia Wy deman, residents of the same city, met for the first time one bright summer day at a certain 1 ocean-side resort. A few evenings later they were chatting rather confidentially as they strolled-along the beach in the twilight. He was saying: - ■ “I have never yet found the one irresistible woman, and I do not intend ever to marry. But I’m fond ol the ladies —nice ones—and I mean to enjoy their society so long as they are willing to take me in a frank, friendly way without expecting me to turn lover, sighing like a furnace after a few days’ aci|alntance. “Here’s my hand on that, Mr. Channon. I have long Waited to know the man ho isn’t studying one’s availability as- i wife, or looking aghast if she easts a i.iendly glance in his direction.” "You and I need not be afraid of each other with such an understanding, need we?” asked Pracey. “Not in the least. T shall enjoy you immensely, I know, for though I expect to marry when the right man presents himself, I do like to be myself without constantly! standing guard against lovers and proposals.” “You can be yourself with me. I’ll take my own heart risks, Miss Wydeman," Annis had left her debutante season behind by less than a half dofcen years. Tracey was older by a decade. She was an orphan of tempting fortune, and ranged at will between comfortable city quarters in winter and .select seaside resorts in summer. As a bachelor he was independent as to fortune, and inclined to take life easily. When Annis reached her room after the twilight stroll, she laughed and said to herself: “Now, Miss Wydeman, yovt have been fairly warned, and if your rather unsusceptible heart 1 should happen to prove a target for Cupid’s-markman-ship you will have to make your own repairs. No gallant Sir Knight de Shannon will take pity on you. I won--der if he warns off all the-girls in the same way, and I’m glad-I answered him just-as I did. Perhaps that is his way of storming hearts. But I’ll stand by the compact we’ve made and prove that one woman at least can enjoy a man’s society and still withstand his charms. Never, never will I show'the faintest sign of heart interest, I simply will not -fair In love with Tracey Channon if I see him every Accordingly, during the remainder of the season and after their return to the city, whether Tracey came often or seldom Annis made him equally welcome. When he danced attendance on some belle of the hmtfr she smiled assweetly and remained as cordial- as when he wag paying devotion at her shrine. She had other admirers, but as they came tentatively, one by one, found her preoccupied, and saw Channqn’s semipossessive position, they went their way. • Months rolled by and Tracey grew apparently absorbed in Annis’ society; more pointedly devoted, more appropriate. He even showed signs of contemplating matrimony seriously and favorably. Annis was one day denouncing a husband of her acquaintance who, as she saw it, had indifference: to his wife’s happiness. •

“Your ideals are altogether too high,’’ Tracey protested. “No ordinary human being would suit you. You are looking for an angel.”

“Pardon the contradiction, but I am not looking for any thing with a view to matrimony. And I may hold as high ideals as I please, for I can wait till I find the man to fit them. lam perfectly comfortable as I ain, you know.” “I am happy to hear that. But, no man, however earnest, will ever dare to offer himself to you, unless you cultivate less independence of manner, allow me to suggest.” “This is among the least of iny troubles, but if ever I am seized with a fever for marrying I shall hie me to some enchanted land where all women are above par, even independent ones." ; “When you are ready to go on that quest will you kindly let me know?” “Oh, yes, Mr. Channon-, I’ll have it published In all the society papers and; the reason therefor.” When their acquaintance was somewhat more than a year old, Tracey went away for an indefinite sojotxrn. Annia found his absence intolerable. The future without him loomed up a'dreary, blank. She was consumed with a jealous fear lest another might fill her place in his esteem, lest he might drop hers into-the list of bygone friendships. Her misery and loneliness would not be subdued. She awoke one morning to the discovery that she was in love. She blushed before her mirror, shook her fist at in rage. She covered her face in shame that she had letter heart go where it was not wanted. She could pot blame Tracey Channon. She would control herself whatever it cost. In spite of her efforts to forget, the painful yearning seized 1 her at times so strongly that she longed to hate the man that she might be at peace with herself/ She reviewed-his. character and conduct to find, something patible, something to arouse her dislike. A lew imperfections presented themselves, bqt po otherman that she had ever known was so,nearly blameless, On Tfacey’e return to the city Annis tried to abate nothing of her old-time cordiality, but too often self-conscious-ness "congealed it into awkward stiffness. Tracey apparently saw no change and took their friendship as a matter of course, as he had done all along. ,