Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-04-22


ing her arrival she accompanied Anna
to lawn party. They had no sooner
begun mingling with the crowd than
Anna, pointing to q seat beneath IL
shade tree, said There they are.
"Who?' inquired Ethel.
Why, the two Johns, of course.
Our hostess will introduce you at the
first opportunity"
.As Ethel beheld the two elegantly
attired young gentlemen conversing to.
gether, the ridiculous idea of styling
them the 1.-TWO Johns struck her with
all its ludicrousness, and she could
scarcely refrain from laughing when in
troduced to them. To those acquainted
with society in small towns, and. in
fact, oftentimes in large ones, it goes
without saying that Ethel was-wnat
shall l say, the honess?-of the even
ing. The two Johns" were untiring III
their attentions and seemingly We'd
with each other in expending all their
arts in winning her smiles. And Ethel
she had apparently forgotten all else
in the pleasure of the moment, for the
constant attentions which the two
Johns showered upon her came as
revelation from a world whose social
perfection she had hitherto but vague
ly dreamed. As the hours sped on she
gave no thought to their rapid flight
nor the sinister glances which her fair
sisters turned upon her as they viewed
the wreckage of others hopes, which
her inopportune presence had wrought;
she only knew that she was happy;
why-she did not attempt to explain.
This first brief season of happiness did
not end with the lawn party, but grew
with the succeeding days. Mr.. Cor
don-sincere, attentive, considerable
lost no opportunity to enhance tho
pleasure of her visit; indeed it soon
became current rumor that his atten.
tions were even more marked than so.
cial duties required But none for n
moment did him the injustice to ques-
tion the sincerity of his intentions;
neither did they fail to remark upon
the rare good fortune of Ethel, for
there was no young lady in all Glen.
wood who would not gladly have as.
sumed the marital bonds at the beck of
Mr. John Gordon.
John Gordon, Esq, was by no means
indifferent in his attentions, though his
insinuating smile and fattering words
plainly indicated his insncerity. 1t
had always been his custom, he in.
formed his intimates, to have little
affair during a summers vacation. 1T
IS so confounded dry without it, you
know
His manner excited Annals resent.
ment, but she wisely kept her own coun-
sci. Occasionally, however, she would
express her deep regard for Mr. Cor.
don, but Ethel, in her simplicity, fan.
cying that both sought her hand, would
sigh and reply: IF our tastes were all
alike, it would be difficult to win or be
won. But l may be mistaken in the
name; which is John Gordon, Esq.
The younger one, / only hope your
choice may prove judicious; l have al.
ways doubted his sincerity, but none
can doubt Mr.. Gordon, the older.
And | look at them exactly op,o.
site, replied Ethel, with faint smile,
but we shall see. Oh, Anna, if |
should be mistaken in the John Gordon
| so implicitly trust I conld never be
happy again"
Weeks passed by and the gossips
were at their wits ends to determine
which of the 1.-TWO Johns" was most
favored. Ethel knew that she had nc
contidante but Anna. The time had
nearly arrived for Ethel's departure
when the arrival of letter called fol
her decision. The last lines read:
IF you can answer as | hope and trust yor
may please reply at once, but, knowing that
1t would pain a sympathetic heart to write
that which is doom to another, shall oonstrue
your failure to reply rejection. Sincerely
yours, O1RJ JOHN GoRDoN,"
Ethel showed the letter to Anna. and
with tears in her eyes said II can not
answer. Anna could not trust herself
to reply, and by way of comment mere
ly wiped her eyes.
The following day John Gordon,
Esq, called, but did not remain long,
as Ethel was apparently much de.
pressed. A few days later Mr.. Gordon
called to bid them good by. When he
told them his mission Ethel's face sud.
denly grew deathly pale. Anna, know,
ing that Mr.. Gordon desired to speak
with Ethel, discreetly withdrew.
lis not your decision very sudden,
Mr. Gordon ?" inquired Ethel.
1T is, Miss Sommers, but I need not
tell you the cause. have not como tc
censure, but thank you for your hon.
esty and sincerity, although I had
hoped it might be otherwise"
Pardon me-" slightly contracting
her eyebrows, but L can not compre.
Aend your language"
Surely you received my note, did
you not ?"
Your note, she replied slowly, tho
truth beginning to dawn upon her. Il
received no note from John Gordon,
Esq
But | am Mr. John Gordon" Then
noticing the happy expression which
liGhtened her countenance: You have
been mistaken in the names, have you
aot?'
Through sorry mixture of laughter
and tears Ethel answered "yes" to both
that inquiry and another which it
implied. 1T was very stupid of me,
hut l was told that you were the
older"
80 am, but many fatter me by de.
claring that I appear younger thar
John Gordon, Esq" Then turning to
Anna who had just re.entered the
room: "Niss Dale, ask Ethel if she
has yet learned the names of her
friends.