The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-11-15

/ II NNlN EOOA hdNLG4llCs IT,
fected, 'I'll ask her to let me keep it
when see her. 1 wonder who the other
girl is-she's remarkably pretty
The face was full Of possibilities and
he went ON building up a history for it
till suddenly aroused from his reverie by
an exciting conversation carried on be-
hind him in piercing whispers.
The baby had long since disappeared
and two ladies had taken its place.
"Good heavensl Betty, where do YOU
suppose he got it. never laid ewes on
the creature before in my life, and there
he sits gazing at my picture as if we were
old friends. y
At this nothing short of a suparhuman
effort prevented Mr. Howard from turning
round. With wonderful self-eontroI he
remained quiet and waited for further
developments.
Betty murmured something soothing
and then the irate maiden began again:
II wish I could get good look at
him. He looks like gentleman, doesn't
he, Bett2-at least his back does But
the idea Of a strange man having my pic
ture is simply unbearable.
II should think it would be the fact
you minded" Betty mildly suggested,
''not the idea. Besides, he need never
know it is your picture unless you talk so
loud ne hears you"
81 suppose they imagine I'm deaf, "
thought Mr.. Howard.
e'Betty, l must get a good look at him.
III tie on this thick blue veil to walk
down the car to get some water"
A short pause and then young ladyof
medium height and good figure walked
sedately past. After she was again seated
she delivered her opinion.
s'He's not exactly good-looking, Betty,
but evidently gentleman
Both were silent for about ten min
utes and then his fair unknown began
again:
''This veil is simply suffocating;
must take it off Betty, Tn going to put
these shawls and bags up in the rack
they're in the way"
'.Now, y thought Mr.. Stephen Howard.
''Now's my chance"
He stood up at the same instant she
did and offered his assistance.
She accepted his help without a word
and he was careful to show no signs of
recognition.
After that she held a long conversation
with Betty too low for him to catch, but
he heard her order the luggage to be sent
to the Windsor Hotel and he had seen
for himself that the tintype in no way
did her iuslice-also that the name on
her bag was Miller.
AS soon as Mr.. Howard reached his
room he sat down to think out the situa-
ton. Obviously the thing for him to do
was to return the tintype.
But howl To be sure, now that ne
knew her name he could leave it at the
hotel for her; but then he was distinctly
conscious Of a desire to give it to her
himself.
After a while this desire changed and
he felt he would much rather know her
and ask her TO let him keep it.
This he determined to do, and after
hard thought sent the following tele-
gram to Miss Benton, whose journeying,
he discovered while at Saratoga, had
taken her to Newport:
To Mss KATHERINE BENTON, Riggs Cottage,
telegraph me Immediately an introduction
to your friend Miss Miller. VIII write ex-
STEPHEN Howard
30 nine o'clock he received this an
sWer:
To Mr. STEPHEN HOWARD, Union Club New
Miss Miller, allow me to present my friend,
Mr.. Stephen Howard.
Armed with this telegram aud the tin
type he at once started for the Widsor-
The whole affair had been so ike an
adventure and so out of the common run
that he almost dreaded to meet the girl
for fear she would spoil all by proving
stupid or uninteresting.
She came-in almost Immediately with
his card and the telegram in her hand.
OF course she had no idea that Mr..
Stephen Howard was the man who had
possession of her picture, and, as she
said afterward, it seemed as if she stood
before him for week gasping and say
ing: .eWelli"
In reality it was not five minutes be-
fore they were both laughing and ex-
planning and interrupting each other to
wonder at the strange course of events
that had brought them together.
.sAnd the telegram she said, twas
such a clever idea. Where did you get
itl"
''That's a very unkind remark, " he re-
Piled. Don't you think look capable
of originating such clever ideal'
Evidently you dent know me. That
stroke Of genius was evolved from my
inner consciousness. wanted to know
YOU. Something had to be done at once,
for you might leave town at any moment.
I rose to the emergency and telegraphed- "
Before he left he found that she ex-
pected to be IN town a week. She and her
aunt presumably "Betty'O were waiting
for some friends with whom they were
going to White Sulphur. That her home
was in Washington, and it was not till
he reached his room that he remembered
he had not returned the tintype.
He sat up till late that night writing
to Miss Benton.
DEAR KATHERINE am firmly convinced
you should have been a soldier. You possess
[ the very quality to make you shine in the
profession of arms-prompt obedience.
/ can never sufficiently thank you for the
way you answered my telegram and I fully
appreciate the effort it must have cost you
not to have first wired: ''Why do you want
/ to know Miss Miller When did you hear of
herr and hostof other questions.
You see virture is always rewarded in the
end, so / am writing at the very first mo
ment and in the middle of the night to graft
/ fy your curiosity.
The day after you left Saratoga l arrived,
and while stroliing about came face to face
with your ladyship-in tintype-
You were hung out with a frame full Of
other unfortunates as specimens Of the high
class Of work done within the establishment
Having an idea that you would not be al
together pleased with your position If you
knew of it, l rescued you and also one who
seemed to be a kindred spirit.
On the train next day while gazing in rapt
admiration at yourself and K. s., became
suddenly aware from certain indignant
sounds behind me that no less person than
the original kindred spirit had the next seat
back.
I at once saw in this remarkable coinci-
80 nfa no