Dodge City times., 1890-06-06


by.
Century.
/ MARK MERED|TH'S MISTAKE.
A lawn party was being bed for the
benefit of little chapel on the banks
of the Hudson. The grounds stretched
down to the river. and were brilliantly
lighted. A brass band rendered choice
music in one of the paviliOns, and here
and there were booths in which were
lavish displays of fancy articles, pre-
sided over by the prcttiest girls who
could be brought together on such an
occasion.
| Mark Meredith strolled from table to
table, making numerous purchases. for
he was wealthy and liberal, and wanted
to aid the object which the ladies had
in view He was Il tall, erect, handsome,
dignified young man. who had seen
much of the world. and who had
mingled in the best society.
He had spent the summer in the
vicinity, and had fallen desperately in
love with Matte Sloane, the organist
of the chapel. That was not remarka-
! BILE, however, for she was fascinating
as fairy. lovely in face and grace
full in figure. with blonde hair, bright
brown eyes. mobile lips. and dimpled
cheek. She Xas vivacious, confiding.
aud ELUSIVE. but not enough SO to sub
ject her to criticism.
Mark Meredith was not quite sure
that his love was reciprocated. Her
ELUSIVE manners were SO natural to
her, and so evidently innocent. that he
was puzzled. She always accorded
him hearty welcome. but he was not
able to Judge by that, because she was
lust as cordial to other admirers.
He sauntered about the grounds, hop
ing that his eyes might rest upon the
sprightly organist. A lamp was burn
ing brightly in small snOw-white
tent. Stepping into the doorway,
pleased look came into his face, for
there stood Matte, disguised as y for
tune teller. The disguise might have
deceived others, but it did not deceive
him.
He noted the blonde hair that the
hood did not entirely confine. the
brown ewes and the flexible lips which
the silk mask did not conceal, and the
graceful contour which the gaudy dress
simply heightened.
She had on \ pair of bracelets of
etruscan gold, unique in design, and
evidently made in the orient. He was
surprised that she had neglected to
remove them, in her desire 10 hide her
identity.
He tossed 4 half-dollar among the
other coin on the table. and held out
his hand. She took it in hers, gazed
into the palm for Il few moments. and
then began to talk volubly. very much
at home in the role she had assumed.
Her voice was not quite like Mattie's.
but he thought that was purposed, or
probably Was somewhat mufiled by hsf
mask. The touch of her hand thrille d
him, and ever and anon the brown eyes
met his with mirthful fervor.
He was amused at what she said
about his past and future, it was SO
general, SO probable. and so insignifi.
cantly personal. A little later, how
ever, she startled him with grave
little speech, SO evidently designed that
it brought flush to his face.
You are deeply in love with the lady
you have met here" she said. with slow
deliberation, her eyes looking straight
at him through the silk mask. "You
do not consider her fiirt, and yet y6a
are not sure of her preference for you.
You hesitate to declare your passion,
and YOU are WISE She is innocent and
good; it would pain her very much to
reject you, and you should be consider
10 hol. hat
You are very frank to tell me this"
white crossing his face. You want to
be spared yourself. but you don't seem
to have much consideration for me-"
"I-don't-understand you." replied
the fortune-teller, with some con-
fusion.
.Ahn calculated Mark Meredith. a
little savagely. However, l thank
YOU. Perhaps it was kind in you to
warn me- 1t makes it-less-less
bitter"
"You seem strangely affected" the
Young woman said. If have wound
ed your feelings, beg your pardon. l
spoke at random. and you should look
upon it as bit of pleasantly"
You could have made it pleasant by
offering me encouragement" Mark
Meredith replied. crisply, gloomily. Il
bid you farewell"
He strobe out of the tent. and the
girl in the black silk mask leaked after
him with a bewildered expression in
her ewes. She laughed to herself, but
there was no heartiness in it.
Mark Meredith left the neighborhood
the next day, and the next mail
brought Matte Sloane the following
letter:
.Yes. you we're right when you said that
v,s deeply in love with you. Twas just about
10 propose to you, and while ! felt very
much hurt ut the time: now see that you di1
repeat il now. May nothing ever happen 70
mar the serenity OF jour life. NJ NJ
Matte read the letter three or four
times. sighed and then locked it up in
her portable desk.
The next summer found Mark Mere
dith enj,ying u cruise in the Mesliter.
ranean. 1t was an excellent panacea
for his Druiseu nearI. ana ne was SLOW.
II conqueriug his love for the pretty
organist he had left on the banks Of the
Hudson. He came on deck one morn
ing Just as the ship was entering the
harbor at Trieste. Suddenly he stood
stone still. though his heart huttered
wildly. for there, in a steamer chair.
sat Matty Sloane. He had not seen her
before, and inferred that she had come
ON board at Palermo.
He could not be mistaken in that
graceful figure and attitude. the finely
Doised head, the bright blonde hair.
and the brown eyes that had SO i::uch
sweetness in them. Then too, he saw
the unique bracelets which he had 50
| often admired.
The old love reasserted itself in
tumultuous way.
Miss SlOanc!" he said. quickly.
pervously. Matte! This is a great sur
prise"
She lifted her face. and there was