Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-09-27

Steer-unannOunced. lie would await
Miss Weldon's pleasure at the Palace
Hotel.
"And we'll have to meet him there"
Fred declared, in tone of desperation.
"WeW the young girl exclaimed.
"I'm not Miss Weldon"
"Well, / will, then," Fred returned.
'But what will / tell him-that you're
sick, dead, or have left the city?"
Miss Halsted shook her head.
"That would only mean procrastina-
ton, with an explanation still to be
made" she said, obviously. "No; if
you are going to meet him-lf you dare
to meet him-tell him the truth"
Fred WINGED. 1t had not previously
occurred to him that an encounter with
Mr.. Witham might entail bodily dis
comfort.
"Do-do you suppose he'll fight?" he
queried, half absently.
81 hope so; you deserve it," was the
young girls reply. Then she paused
and her eyes sparkled mischievously as
she noted her companions detection.
"No; / don't mean that, Fred" she
added; 81 would not like you to get
hurt. But you must see him.
"And will, Dolly" was Fred's earn
est rejoinder, his love for her sex fast
tending toward Capitalization. "For
you I'd interview that gentleman who
buys his shoes at the farrier's.
But words are not actions. The fol-
lowing day was nearly at an end when
Fred entered the Palace Hotel and
glanced over the register. Inwardly he
was praying that the name of Whitman
should not appear upon its pages; that
itc,a rh In ra1nnSinU hnnnoth
wrecked train, shot by express robbers,
intoxicated by the wayside-anything.
But there it was, and at sight OF it he
repaired to the barroom.
That courage, however, which is at
tributed to Holland appeared TO have
lost it's potency, and he soon returned
to the office. His hand trembled as he
drew card from his pocket; but it had
to be done, and he rendered it to the
clerk.
"Mr. Witham,n he said, tersely.
Five minutes later speaking tube
wheezed, and he watched the clerk.
But suspense was brief duration. Yes;
Mr.. Whitman was in and would be
pleased to see Mr.. Weldon at once.
Fred drew a long breath, then
Strengthened up and walked toward the
elevator. Hitherto he had never entered
one of those elevators at the Palace
without speculation on their safety, but
now he wished it would fall. He even
contemplated, mentally, his own
bruised and mangled remains, and the
consequent press notices. But it reached
the third floor without mishap.
The bellboy, too, seemed as if bent
upon fastening the calamitous work,
for he at once conducted him to the
door of Mr.. Williams room and tapped
loudly on the panel.
"ComeW was the cherry response
that fioated through the transom, and
Fred shuddered. Then he pulled him
self together and turned the knob.
But on the threshold he paused. Mr..
Willamette "cowboy''-was seated
within, and of exterior he was not at all
formidable His features albeit bearded,
were boyish, pleasant and rather hand
some, and his attire was that affected
by man of the world. But it was not
with him that Fred was now concerned
Dorothy Halstead was seated on his
knee. a......a.-.ss-..,e
Fred was like man dazed by some
sudden revelation; he seemed, almost,
to stagger. But the 'cowboyo smiled.
Then lifting Dolly he deposited her in
his own seat and advanced with ex-
tended hand
"My wife, Mr.. Weldon" he observed
lightly. I'VE have had her fathers
blessing; trust we have yours"
Fred stared; he was Ike one in the
dark; and he scarcely noticed the hand
which clasped his own.
But he was speedily enlightened, and
by Miss Halsted-or, rather, the former
Miss Halsted-herself.
Eyes, Fred" she said with a wealth
of smiles and bushes, 1--WE must CON
fess to a little deception. My own
photo and not Mile. Clos was Enclosed
in your first letter, and after the second
my-my husband always wrote two let
ters, one for us and one for me. And
really Fred, l think his appreciation
of the situation influenced me-just a
bit-in what has happened.
Fred bowed-very coldly; he was
himself again.
cit all goes to show" he afterward
averred, "that women can't be trusted,
even in matters of jocular entertain
ment."