The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-08-23
kind enough to take my place while
run around to her house"

GUY.
But you cannot" he said coolly.
II have strict orders not to lot any ono
know her whereabouts for day or two
until these extensive preparations are
we'll under way"
was on the verge Of tears, and with
choke In my voice cried out, sinking
into q chair and holding up my hands
deprecatingly:
Don't say another word You will
set mo wild If 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
and-and- there is no such person as
Ned Clayborn? 1t started in fun, and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS let me go to her. She
will understand me so much better than
you can explain it,
mo such person rs 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 no is
not dead2'' he added i'll CONSERVATION
"Oh, will You not understand? It
was all IL joke ut first. / 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. II tried to stop.
but was SO wicked could not, and
now poor Nellie will break her heart,
nd-and-and"- And broke down
and began to cry in miserable way.
Unlike most men, my companion was
not in tho least Disconnected ut 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 Il light touch fell upon my arm,
and his voice, very gentle and kind,
said, "Nellic is hero 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 mo very earnestly.
"Whcre is she?'' 1 asked, ready to
cry again
Here, ho said, holding out his
hand. Instinctively put mine into it,
and it closed over it firmly.
II also have confession to make 4"
no said earnestly. II thought you were
another young follow like myself, and
wishing to relieve the tedium of those
long monotonouS days struck up fir
tation. L intended some day to meet the
young man and have it out with him.,
when you camo with your strange con-
fession In short" he ended abruptly,
Il am Nellie Merton. And you nro Ned
Clayborn? Come, dry your eyes, Ned
Vnnr Nnl1in - ,A a.,
turn about of affairs
After staring at him In silent amaze.
ment for tho space Of five seconds the
truth of tho whole matter began tc
dawn upon my confused brain. My face
grew hot with indignation. l snatchod
my hand from his and sprnng to my
feet
You arc contemplate fellowi' ]
cried He did not reply, but stood look,
Ing down at mo from his superior height.
''It was hundred times meaner III
you because your object was O woman.
/ will never forgive you If 1 live to bo q
thousand
isn't that rather paradoxical, con-
gdering tho fact that you thought was
a woman and you were enncting the
role of the sterner seX?" he asked
"You might have known" 1 an
swered severely
'-But did not, j" no replied
"Here is my train" said shortly.
"Goodby, he replied, assisting me
ON to tho train despite my independence
and lifting his hat as it pulled ont.
I travelled back to ''B'' sadder but
wiser woman
''You are fool. said to nv rofieo-
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 tho tall young
operator ut I'D station
Ono morning L 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 at I'D
station" was not rs yet quito consigned
TO oblivion Standing with hat in hand
and without any preface of any kind he
said:
Over q year ago you asked mo to
marry you, and 1 consented. l have
come to ask: Will you come? Or shall
1 enter suit for breach Of promise?"
What could do? And. after all, per-
baps he would not have made me n bet
ter husband had met him in .he old
conventional way and waited for him
to propose to me. Ella Terre In Short
Stories-