The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-10-26
he required looking after, but the young
man obeycd, and the two left the room

"And now will you explain what all
this mcans?" cried Anna, with an air OF
great bewilderment.
"Willingly," said Alice" and seated
herself at the table, and. resting her
elbow on it, shielded her face with one
hand, SO that she could watch her COM
panion with her own countenance half
hidden.
"The evening we arrived here, fort.
night ago, l accidentally. really acci-
dentalls, met this gentleman, Mr.. Mayne,
who was once n very great friend OF
mine, but whom I was forbidden, for
certain reasons of my mothers, to be
any longer friendly with. On the spur
of the moment | made up plan by
which could enjoy his society for at
least few weeks before we parted,
probably forever. Very few of my
friends arc acquainted with either Gerald
Mayne or Mr.. Nabruton, so proposed
to the former 'lGst lie should, as sort of
joke, you know, take tho name of the
latter, just while in our company; you
may have observed that have never in
troduced him toany casual acquaintanccs
here. | impressed upon him that if you
knew who lie really was, you would report
his presence to mamma, and then adieu
to all our fun at Lucernc He agreed
he generally did to anything chose to
do-and | introduced him to you as my
tlance. OF course, it was all very wrong,
but l meant itas 4 sort Of practical Joke,
bad one, perhaps. especially as soon
found my lot was TO play second fiddle,
and VOLTA tout!"
That WAS not ALL" Miss Rogers said
slowly. at was not all a joke; there
was something else"
There was silence for minute or two
between the two women, and nothing
was heard but tho gentle splash-splash
of tho lake; then, with visible effort,
Alice said, in Il hurried and nervous
voice:
eyes, you arc right; there was some
thing else. You remember the day you
came to Haytllorpc? fetched your
handkerchief from your room, there
was an unfinished letter on the iloor"---
(Which you read," Anna interrupted
GLOW honorable! How truly honor
ablem
"lou need not sncer so," rctortcl
Alice. sit was hardly honorable on
your part to purpose doing your best to
marry my intended husband | was re-
placing your letter on tho table, when
twoor three words arrcstcdmy attention,
and read it through then twisted it
up and let is blow away OFT of the win
dow. You see, it was l who did evil
that good might come. have not lost
my husband, and you are engaged to be
married to the man you profess TO love.
No harm has been done, and | suppose
all parties will be satisfied" Z"
"And how do you think the real Mr..
Nanbruton will enjoy this little comedy>'
asked Miss Rogers quietly
81 dare say it may amuse him, if yo,
think itabsolutcly necessary to otcll linn, "
replied Alice carclcssly. "But he will
hardly think much of the part you have
played in it; as for mine, have no
doubt that l shall he able to explain it
satisfactorily. And now you mention
hiin," she added, rising and going to the
door, 81 will so and sec where lie is.
Shall l send GcraId!'
"Ono minute, Miss Patterson" cx-
claimed the other; ~ should like to say
one thing more. know it is useless to
ask your pardon, but swear that was
sorry when it was too late. How can a
girl like you, brought up to havo every
thing almost that you can wish for, loved
by fond parents, shielded by them from
all possible care or SORROW, know or
guess the temptations which surround a
woman like me, who have been left to
shift for myself from earliest childhood!
have had no one to guard mo against
hardsllls and troubles. Tsuc, | have
brother who lends me " helping band
when he can, but, poor fellow, he needs
one too often himself"
AS Alice listened, the hard expression
in her face melted away, and her voice
was kind and gentle as she replied:
"Do not speak SO bitterly, Anna. If
what you say is true, my fault is much
greater than yours, for l havo far less
excuse Believe me, in everything there
10 SoiIIl'-iiSdtloIl eclllcIllDtl, dlleF I'LL,
you havo Gerald, and if he is not Mr.
Vanbruton, ut least hois not quite pcnnl-
less" And SO saying Alice quietly left
the room.
"Afief all, yol, have Gerald" These
words rang in Annals ears as sho paced
to and fro; but had sho got him? What
would he say if he knew, if lie cvcl
happened to know? She was thinking
thus when the man himself entered the
room. lie went straight to her and took
her into his arma.
Darling, can you ever forgive ne for
having SO grossly deceived you? At first
did it for fun, and then afterwards |
did not dare tell you, as feared that you
would send INC away, thinking that l
was Alicc'5 lover whom snc was not to
meet, and that should have to leave
you. What must you havo thought of
INC, believing me to be engaged to ono
girl. and yet knowing, as you must have
known, that had follcn in lovc with
you: Will you forgive nc, dearcst:"
She drew herself gently away from
him.
81 forgive you with all my heart;
listen to me, and then l wonder if you
can pardon as easily"
81 will listen to nothing,' he cried i'm
petuously. 81 know you love me, that
is enough" Once more he put his arms
around her, ana this time she did not re-
sist.
"Aro you sure" she murmurcd, "you
are not mistaking inc for Alice:' For
answer he kissed her lovingly and ten
derby, and she seemed quite satisfied with
that reply. ..
THE END.
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The slyncss of the Crawfish