The herald., 1894-08-28

into chair and holding up my handi
aepreoatingly:
Don't say another word. You will
set me wild. II you will not tell me
where to find Nellie " went on in des-
peration, will you please tell her this
Il have been bad, wicked girl, and
an na-and-there is no such person as
Ned Clayborn? It started in fun, and
and-and-please let mo go to her. She
you can explain it. -
''No such person as Ned Clayborn |!
My dear young lady, must beg leave
to differ with you. That is the name of
the young man who in three short weeks
is to marry Miss Merton. Surely he is
not dead?" he added in CONSERVATION.
'Oh, will you not understand? 1t
was all joke at first. thought it
would be great fun, and go I-well,
am Ned Clayborn, and after time we
became engaged-all in fun, too." Here
laughed hysterically II tried to stop,
but 1 was SO wicked I could not, and
now poor Nellie will break her heart,
and-and-and"-- And broke down
and began to cry in miserable way.
Unlike most men, my companion was
not in the least disconnected at sight Of
my tears, but simply laughed, loud and
long.
Presently the laughter ceased. Then
heard uneasy movements in the chair
occupied by my companion. Then he got
up and paced about rcstlessly. Pretty
soon light touch fell upon my arm,
and his voice. very gentle and kind,
said, 'Nellie is here TO receive your
confession and forgiveness. dried my
eyes and looked up, but saw no one but
the tall young man, who was looking
at me very earnestly.
"Where is she?" I asked, ready to
cry again.
Here" he said, holding out his
hand. Instinctively put mine into it,
and it closed over it firmly.
II also have confession to make, !"
he said earnestly. II thought you were
another young fellow like myself, and
wishing to relieve the tedium of these
long monotonous days struck up a fir
tation. 1 intended some day to meet the
young man and have it out with him,
when you came with your strange con-
fession. In Short he ended abruptly
81 am Nellie Merton. And you are Ned
Clayborn? Come dry your eyes, Ned
Your Nellie is not heartbroken at the
turn about of affairs. -"
After staring at him in silent amaze
mont for the space Of five seconds the
truth Of the whole matter began to
dawn upon my confused brain. My face
grew hot with indignation. snatched
my hand from his and sprang to my
feet.
''You are contemplate fellow" 1
cried. He did not reply, but stood look
ing down at me from his superior height.
''It was hundred times meaner in
you because your object was a woman.
I will never forgive you if live to be a
thousand -
"Isn't that rather paradoxical, con-
sidering the fact that you thought was
woman and you were enacting the
role Of the sterner sex?" he asked
"You might have known l an
swered severely.
"But did not, he replied.
"Here is my train, said shortly.
"Goodby," he replied, assisting me
on to the train despite my independence
and lifting his hat as it pulled out.
/ travelled back to 'B" sadder but
wiser woman.
"You are fool, said I to my ref1ec-
ton in the little mirror as I removed
my hat.
A year rolled by. had entirely re-
covered from my chagrin, and buried
in the darkest chamber of my memory
was every thought Of the tall young
operator at I'D station.
One morning I was arranging and
copying some night messages when a
long shadow fell across my papers. A
glance upward told who it was. The
door Of that secret and darkened cham
Der Of my memory few open, and
knew that the tall young man at I'D
station" was not as yet quite consigned
to oblivion. Standing with hat in hand
and without any preface Of any kind he
said:
lover year ago you asked me to
marry you, and I consented l have
come to ask: Will you come? Or shall
enter suit for breach Of promise?"
What could do? And, after all, per-
haps he would not have made me bet
ter husband had I met him in the old
conventional way and waited for him
to propose to me. Ella Terre in Short
Stories