The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1894-08-22

~ have been bad, wicked girl, and
and-and-there is no such person as
Ned Clayborn? 1t started in fun, and
and-and-please let me go to her. She
will understand me so much better than
you can explain it. "
'No such person as Ned Claybornl
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 a joke at first l thought it
would be great fun, and so well,
am Ned Clayborn, and after time we
became engaged--all in fun, too. Here
laughed Historically. "Etried to stop,
but / was so wicked / 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 restlessly. 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?" l 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. 81 thought you were
another young fellow like myself, and
wishing to relieve the tedium of these
long monotonous days struck up a fir
tation. l 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,
II am Nellie Merton. And you are Ned
Clayborn? Come, dry your eyes, Ned.
Your Nellie is not heartbroken at the
turn about of affairs. F"
After staring at him in silent amaze
ment 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 fellowP'
cried. He did not reply, but stood look.
ing down at me from his superior height.
sit was hundred times meaner in
you because your object was woman.
will never forgive you if l live to be a
thousand. -
isn't that rather paradoxical, con-
sidering the fact that you thought was
q woman and you Were enaeting the
role of the sterner sex?" he asked
"You might have known" / an
swered severely.
but did not, a" 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 to my refiec-
ton in the little mirror as l 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 tho tall young
operator at I'D station.
One morning | 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 flew open, and
knew that the tall young man Mt d
station" was not as yet quite consigned
to oblivion. Standing with hat in hand
and without any preface of any kind he
| said:
| "Over year ago you asked me tc
marry you, and 1 consented. | 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 "a 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