The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-06-15

how near the truth had come In her
suspicious.
SIX weeks after Lillys Forsvthe bade
her friends farewell, as she stlr;ed OF
her trip to London, where she intended
to visit an old uncle who was occupy
ing fine house on the outskirts Of
the great metropolis There she hoped
to find some diversion. for her heart
was heavy and she was great per
picked. Dorothy was dissatisfied with
her refusing that splendid Mr. Cray
ton" besides two other men of good
standing.
Since Herbert Barlow had treated
her 80 coldly and finally left the city
altogether Lillys felt as If life in her
native town would be uncomfortable.
In London she was received with
open arms by her uncle and his fam
lily, who were quite proud of their Am
crlcan connection. She became so en-
chanted with her new life and sur.
roundings that she almost forgot her
former home. all but the one person
whose image often came before her.
One day early in September she and
her cousin were taking Il hurried trip
down town on the underground rail
way.
At one of the stations. as the con.
ductor suddenly slammed the door OF
their coupe Dillys looked around, and,
as she caught sight of a familiar face
opposite her. exclaimed:
"Why, Mr.. Barlow, haw strange to
see you hereT'
The gentleman addressed smiled, and
extending his hand in greeting. said:
yes. strange. indeed Whoever would
have thought that we should meet
here actually under English sOil?"
Then followed an Introduction to
Lillys' cousin.
"when did you leave home?" queried
Barlow.
"Oh, 1 have been here ever since last
spring" answered Lillys. "and how
long have you been travelling abroad,
Mr. Barlow"
"For the last seven or eight months" ="
he answered, his face clouding; "homc
had no more charms for me-" he add.
ed, $50 l have been doing the CONT
nent as the English say"
Lillys felt as If she had been stabbed
his words We're strangely significant
to her.
A few more remarks We're exchanged
before they reached their destination
and Barlow left them after promising
to call the following evening.
llt ItllldluttI VI AluN AliA was llh''
n dream to Lillys Forstythe. Such
unexpected meeting was enough To
upset any one, she said. excusing her
numerous blunders that afternoon.
Herbert Barlow appeared to BE-
somewhat changed. Lillys thought
there was something in his manner
that puzzled her.
When the appointed evening arrived
Mr.. Barlow was announced. Lllys
was the first TO welcome him. and as
Barlow grasped her hand in greeting
he held it firmly, and as their eyes
met a mutual understanding seemed
to have grown between them.
Let us abolish all formalties, Miss
Forsythe." said he seeing that they
We're alone; "before leave you again
I must know why you never answered
my letter in which-in which | asked
You TO become my wife,"
Letter." asked Lilys, with tremb-
ling lips. as a bright crimson colored
her cheeks, 81 do not understand"
rs it possible" as faint gleam OF
hope lit his beautiful, gray eyes, that
you never received it?'
81 know nothing about such let
ter" said Lillys. almost inaudibly, for
her heart was eating violently.
For moment all was still. Herbert
Barlow eagerly scanned the girls face
"a terrible feeling of doubt crept over
him-had she ignored the letter? The
thought was suffocating him. He
burst out:
Miss orsythe-Lillys-tell me- why
| you never answered it?'
Mr. Barlow" as she looked him in
| the face, 81 never received such n let,
| ter from you'll"
"Then, may | ask you right here
will you be my wife,
Yes" was the simple answer, which
came from the very depths Of the
girls heart and came gladly.
But" she said suddenly. "what will
| Mildred Deane sayT
Barlow laughed. Married month
ago TO Kenneth Crayton, you foolish
| little woman" and he sealed her mouth
with kiss.
The proposal, to be sure, was laconic
| enough, but that was characteristic
| of the man-the love-making followed
| and continued indefinitely. Soon after
n quiet wedding took place in Londo!.
| Herbert would have it so--and Their
wedding journey took them back 70
their American home.
But the mystery of the important
letter was never solved-who would
| have dreamed of suspecting four year
| old Teddy or Of searching for it in the
depths of an old closer?-Chicago
| News.