The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-02-18

telling us that she had no people-in-
law2 Besides, this man has q slight
scar across his forehead, which I also
noticed in the photograph. No, no, it
is dear Mr.. Morton. wonder if Freda
will be glad to see him." she added, sig
nifcantly.
Then l suddenly remembered Ed
mund, and glanced in his direction. He
was very pale, and the hand that held
his book trembled.
When my mother and Hilda had left
the room, he said:
"Rose, shall go up to London to-
night and try if the berth that was Of
fered to me on board the Venetia is still
TO be had. wrote refusal yesterday,
but by going up tonight may still Sc
cure it"
"Must you 60, Edmund"
Il cannot stay here" he said, "and ]
think life would be more endurable al
sea than on shore. Come and help me
with my packing, Rosie, there's a good
girl"
Edmund went to town that night, in
spite of his mothers circumstances, and
Hilda and remained, devoured by curl
osity concerning Mr.. Morton. We de-
bated as to whether it would be right to
call, but disliked intruding. However,
on the third dav. we heard nothing.
either OF Mrs. Morton or her newly
found husband, and We decided that it
would be only kind to call, and were
Just setting out, when q ring came to
the door, and in walked the two sisters,
accompanied by the original of the pho
tograph, the latter displaying goodly
length of limb in addition to the hand
some bearded head with which we were
already familiar. Mrs. Morton was still
in mourning. but she had discarded the
widows bonnet. and wore small straw
hat, similar to Mabel's. My mother
went over to Freda and kissed her affec-
tionately, speaking some words OF con-
graduation, and then, turning to the
stranger, greeted him also, addressing
him as Mr. Morton.
"My name is Heath" he said, in q
quiet, we'll bred voice; and then Mabel,
seeing the look of blank establishment
In my mothers face, struck in
sour brother, Mrs. Leslie. Just come
home from Australia.
"Your brother Winifred, my dear,
l beg your pardon. / am sorry for hav-
ing distressed you," for Freda was sob
bling Historically, with, it seemed to me,
more laughter than tears in her eyes.
"She is distressed, because she is
ashamed, Mrs. Leslie" said Mr.. Heath.
81 have come here to-day to insist upon
both my sisters making full acknowledge
ment of the deception they have prac-
ticed upon your family, and beg that you
will kindly make it known to anyone
whom it may concern. -
"Deceptionl"
"Winifred's passing herself as
widow. She is not married"
"Not married then Mr. Morton -"
''Is myth. The girls fancied, I be-
lieved, that living alone they would have
more freedom if one of them were
widow, and Winifred, being already in
mourning for my grandfather, whose re-
cent death had left them homeless,
bought u widows cap, and called herself
Mrs. Morton. The false position once
assumed was not easily abandoned, al
though it led them into more absolute
deceit than they had at all foreseen.
They now wish to explain the matter tc
you rs f&eir chief friend III LongmeGn.
and to ask your pardon for having de-
ceived YOU"
1.-The deception has not affected us
much, said my mother. "Your sister
would have been quite as welcome here
under her true name. How did such a
plan enter your head, Winifred? What
suggested il u you!"
1T was only on our way through Lon
don that thought of it, said Freda.
"Mabel and L went into jays to buy
hats, and while we were choosing them,
l saw little widows bonnet on the ia
bic, and tried it on. 1t suited me ex-
actly, and Mabel said: What pity you
are not a widow, Freda, you look SO nice
in weeds, and if you were, we should
both he far more independent than we
can be as young ladies. The idea of pre-
tending to be widow came into my
mind then, and 1 thought it would be
good fun. Mabel did not like it, but 1
made her consent. We bought q widows
cap and bonnet; we were already in
mourning for grandfather, and 1 deter
mined to call myself Morton. 1t really
is my name-Winifred Morton Heath.
We talked so much to each other about
Mr.. Morton that We came half to believe
in him, and to be rather fond of him.
We did not understand at first how diff
cult it would be to keep up the pretense,
or how many lies We should have to tell.
| was many time longing to tell you the
truth, but l was afraid"
81 am sorry you did not, my DEAR"
said my mother gravely. "However;
that cannot be helped now. Did you
eypect vo1r brotbarl~