Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

could come to the other girl through
this freak Of hers. She could not, of
course, have sent her own picture, and
this was the only one in hsr collection
that had seemed at all passable; so,
eventually, the iniquity Of the proceed
ing faded before these convincing argu-
ments, and she soon found herself much
more interested in looking forward to
the receipt of the likeness which he
could not fail to send in return than
with reproaches over hasty piece of
folly.
The reply arrived In due course, and
with it the photograph of handsome
face, with fine, bold eyes, a prominent
nose, an expressive mouth, and mus.
tache in the springtime of its existence
1t was captivating, but, after her own
deception, she was naturally in doubt as
to who the true owner Of that very at
tractive physiognomy might be. If in
deed it were Dudley, her random shot
had hit the mark. To her magma
ton he had always been handsome,
whether he were so in reality had
never before seemed at all matter
of Importance; but now, with a pic
ture before her from which a lasting
impression might be derived, it be-
came necessary either to accept it or
reject it. Should this face, then, be
hereafter regarded as that of her play
mate in his maturer years? After care
full scrutiny she decided that it should,
and from that time, when it was not in
her hands undergoing admiration, it lay
in secure repose among the treasured
notes, faded flowers, and sweet smelling
rose leaves in her writing case. Not many
days later she felt impelled to acknowl-
edgeits receipt, and, taking her materials
in this precious box to a shaded corner
of the pine wood, spread them out before
her and was soon deep in her pleasant
task. She was necessarily obliged to
draw heavily upon imagination in tracing
the points in the photograph which she
asserted recalled wildly his youthful
countenance, and, when at last she had
finished, lay back exhausted by the eff
fort, and soon fell into a condition Of
dreaminess, bordering closely on sleep
Suddenly, however, the sound of ap-
preaching footsteps aroused her, and be-
fore she had time to gather together all
her sacred belongings, the figure of tall
man, in SLOUGH hat and with an wlpre-
possessing cadaverous cast of features,
appeared from behind the rocks, which
until then had hidden them from each
others view. He stopped short on dis
covering her, raised his hat in some con-
fusion, muttered something in apology
for his intrusion, and was just planning
hasty retreat, when she asked with
some nervousness, "Do you wish to see
my fatherT
"No." he answered. with equal embar-
rassment. II was going down to the
beach. | forgot for the moment that
that this place was occupied; this is a
short cut for me. hope you will excuse
my trespassing | live just back of here"
he went on, in an explanatory way, as she
made no reply. My name is Manton. :"
"Oh!" Mabel exclaimed, remem boring
Galusha krinilebotton story of the
young man who was mot right" and
concluding that this must be he. 81 am
sure there can be no objection to your
taking this way to the beach, Mr.. Man
ton" she answered, smiling sweetly, in
the hope of averting possible outbreak
of lunacy.
He thanked her with grave, formal
bow, and started to pass on, when his
eye fell upon the recently arrived photo
graph as it lay on a rock by her side.
He stopped, and looked quickly from it
to her face and then back at the picture.
Alabel's face grew scarlet, Could it
be that he recognized it? Was her secret
discovered? Or was this merely mad
mans strange idiosyncrasy?
1--WE have a mutual friend, | think"
he said, rather bluntly, though in a gem
lie tone,
"Indeed?" asked Mabel nervously.
That must be Mort Dudley" he went
on. half to himself, and still gazing at
the photograph.
c'Then it must be his own lkenessw
inwardly exclaimed Mabel.)
Il beg your pardon if l am mistaken"
Manton added alphabetically; 1.-The pic
ture caught my eye and reminded me
very strongly of college classmate of
mine"
Then you know Mr.. Dudley?' she
asked deeply interested, and forgetful
now of the strangers reputed mental
irDSOunduess