The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-01-22
He broke the line of his thoughts

with sharp exclamation.
"I've solved the mystery" he NUT
tered. "Kate Conover is Rose Rails
ton. She is a little firt,. and fancies
that she's got even with me-"
He closed his conjectures with an
expression which was nearly profanity
Aunt Rachael" he said when he
had rejoined his aunt, "do you know
that Miss Conover is Rose Ralston 7"
Impossible p exclaimed Miss Cam
eron.
''But, aunt, she is"
''Did she say so ~
mo. Do you think her coming
here was-was-planned ~
"Why, no, Brice. 1t came about
by accident. She didn't know you
where here, or that ] am your aunt"
"You are sure Of that ?"
"Of courseI am. What does she
say in the letter u
at isn't from her."
"Eh Who then ~
"Why did she masquerade here un-
der another name ~ evaded Brice.
."Why should she masquerade any
where ?"
"My dear boy, | can't answer that"
Mrs Cameron said. II am not con
WINGED that she did"
''Well, it doesn't matter much, any
how,,' Rutherford rejoined, which was
a bold falsehood, for he knew that it
mattered good deal to HIM.
Z
A year later found Kate Conover
standing in grove in the Yellowstone
park. She was looking down long
vista of charming scenery, her face
bronzed, her form plump and the blue
in her eyes deeper and sweeter than
ever
She heard footsteps behind her, and
on turning around heheld handsome,
sun Drowned tourist. 4 second, and her
face grew very red, for the man was
Brice Rutherford She had punished
him, to be sure. but she had also pun
ished herself.
He relieved her of her embarrassment
by offering his hand with easy grace
fulness.
"I'll now take your answer" he
SAID.
"What answer ~ she asked, with
renewed bushes.
"This is September" he reminded.
"Oh y CALCULATED she. $50 it is,
but ! named last September. | left
you my answer"
"But there wasn't anything in it for
me, or else was too stupid to see it.
1t may have implicit
Eyes, it implied" she interrupted,
with charming little laugh.
"Oh. bother that idiotic letter y
Brice cried.
"And your stumpy, romping, freck-
led faced tomboy sweetheart, Rose
added she, quoting from
the letter.
Il meant nothing by it, and Pm
sorry | wrote it," replied Brice, get
ing red in the face in turn. 81 could
not forsee that I'd afterwards meet
Rose Ralston in Kate Conover, and
sall in love with her. You have two
names, and you should not be punctil-
Gus about assuming a third. Mine is
1t your service. Please give me the
answer you promised"
well, Brice," she said, her blue
eyes dancing with fun, 81 am not able
10 recall the question with much dis
.inctness. If you will repeat it, in the
same attitude, with the same ferver
and with the same wild, waiting look
N your eyes, perhaps | may be able''-
"Oh, | couldn't" interrupted Brice,
Gone such effort in life
time is enough. | haven't yet recov-
cred the energy which | expended on
that occasion. You intend to accept |
me, but you are too-too-modest to
say so. | will not insist, you know
"Oh, thank YOU" she replied. cit
is "a great relief to me-
And. as they were married before
the close of the year, it is presumed |
that they reached an understanding at
last.-Frank H. Stauffer in Boston
Globe.