Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-09-11

\ peration. twill you please tell her this II have been bad, wicked girl, and and-and-therei is no such person as Ned Clayborn? It 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 Clayborni My dear young lady, must beg leave the young man who in three short weeks is to marry Miss Merton. Surely he is not dead?'' he added in consternation-
 "Oh, will you not understand? It was all a joke at first l thought 1t would be great fun. and so I-well, am Ned Clayborn, and after a time we became engaged-all in fun. too" Here laughed hysterically. "I 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 the least disconcerted 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 ho 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 tho 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 a confession to make, " he said earnestly. "I thought you were another young fellow like myself, and wishing to relieve the tedium of these long monotonous days struck up fir tation. I 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, ''I 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. ment for the space of five seconds the truth of tho whole matter began tC dawn upon my confused brain. My face grew hot with indignation. snatched my hand from his and sprang to my feet.
 You aro n contemptible fellowr' cried. He did not reply. but stood look ing down at me from his superior height.
 Ut was n hundred times meaner il you because your object was a woman. will never forgive you if live to be | thousand.
 Isn't that rather paradoxical, con sidering the fact that you thought wa: a woman and you were enacting tho role of the sterncr sex?" he asked.
 "You might have known," I an swered severely.
 But did not, he replied.
 Here is my train, said shortly.
 "Goodby. ho replied. assisting Tn, on to the train despite my independenc, and lifting his hat as it pulled out. travelled back to "B'' saddcr but wiser woman.
 "You are fool. ." said to my reflec tion in tho little mirror as I removed my hat.
 A year rolled by. had entirely re | covered from my chagrln, ana Durlet in tho darkest chamber of my memory was every thought of tho tall young operator at ID station"
 One morning l was arranging anC copying some night messages when ; long shadow fell across my papers. glance upward told who it was. Tn door of that secret and darkCnCd cham bcr of my memory flew open, and knew that the tall young man at ''I station" was not as yet quite consigne' to oblivion. Standing with hat in hanI and without any preface of any kind h said:
 "Over year ago you asked me t marry you. and I consented I hay come to ask: Will you come? Or shal I enter suit for breach of promise?" What could do? And, after all. per haps he would not have madb me . bet ter husband had I met him in the ol, conventional way and waited for hin to propose to me.-Ella Terre in Shor Stories.