The record-union., 1896-11-27

Rochester, N. Y.
down some day with me. l want you
to know her.
There are times when it were unwise
to be sincere.
II shall be delighted I said, even
while I reviewed the excuses upon
which I should be able to rely in the
event of his some day rendering a more
definite invitation. Then / turned the
conversation into other channels, and
In a little while somewhat to the dis
gust of my friend, who who had much
to telD left.
About a month had passed when l
had note one day from Mrs. Lut-
trell:
Dear Mr.. Mortimer: We have taken
tickets for the Lyceum matinee on Sat
urday, and three or four friends are to
meet US there. I wonder if you are
free that afternoon, and would care to
meet us at Charing Cross and go with
us to the theater. Yours very truly,
Frances Luttrell."
1t was miserable, foggy day, and
half feared they would not come. But,
though their train was somewhat de-
layed, they presently arrived, and we
took cab along the Strand Madga
looked unusually pretty, and greeted
me with a disappointing cheerfulness. I
had counted on little sympathy from
her, but her aspect was one Of rather
mischievous enjoyment. It would have
been timely enough if she had held in
store for me some very delightful sur
| ri hn RI ar
which I had hoped for month past
had escaped her observation.
Il didn't think that you would descend
to theft, she said; Il would have given it
to you. And of course you have dis
covered your mistaken"
We were entering the theater as she
spoke; there was a momentary press of
people, and I affected not to have heard
her speech. Indeed, 1 was not a little
angry; her clumsiness was obviously in
territorial, for l was we'll aware that she
in no wise suffered from want of tact
A moment later we were being shown
to our seats.
"Will you take the inside seat?" said
Madge, and / moved obedienrly to the
last vacant placement to lady whose
taking my seat when she turned and
looked up at me. She had the grace to
blush-for it was Maud Cameron-but
there was no tremor in her voice when
she spoke moment later
How do you do?" she said politely,
And in the same words answered her.
Presently she leant little nearer and
spoke to me in her soft, pretty voice.
You have nothing to say?" she said.
You may talk, you know"
l turned to her with a look of desper-
alton. Why could she not leave me to
myself?
Il had forgotten" I said. II must
congratulate you-or Dick, at any rate"
"O!" she answered, sinilingly, you
may congratulate me also do not fear.
1t has happened marvelously WELL"
"Marvelously Welt" echoed
Yes" she continued: land particu-
larly in that you are his special friend.
1t is so nice for the wife when the hus-
bands friend is nice. But why didn't
you tell him you knew the Luttrells-
and me?''
l stared at her, incredulous of her
cruelty.
How could tell him p, I said ,nGig-
nantly. You had denied acquaintance
with me, and since you had forgotten,
do you think I wished to femember?"
/ was trifle startled at the effect Of
this speech. 1t should have silenced her
thought; but it seemed as if had in
jured her, and now a greater indigna-
ton than my own arose in her.
'fIf "a MT fr1Ja che co;5 ayxylo.
you mean? 1 saw him only a fortnight
ago, when returned from Sandybar
and l distinctly remember telling him
that day that I had met you there
Mother did suggest that he might bring
you down one Saturday, but of course
1 interrupted. You only saw him a
month ago? Why, tits q full month
since he told me you We're engag ged. And
yet you have known him only fort
night?"
She looked at me with a sort of pitiful
amazement.
He told you he was engaged to me?
Why, he's engaged to Mary, my sister
And besides"
new life entered into me; the old
hopes lived again. Yet 1 was uncon-
vinced
He showed me your photograph I
said.
| She looked at me for moment. Slow
| ly the bewilderment faded from her face
and it appeared she was nightly
amused.
Did he tell you my name?" she
asked.
| He showed me your likeness. and told
me You were engaged to him don't re-
member If he told/me your name. But
there was no need; do not forget SO
easily"
Maud ehuckled-there is no other
/ word
| You have seen the photograph be-
| fore?" she said
i stole II out of Madge Luttrell's al
bum the day was to leave Sandybar.
I thought"
Surely 1t was a little curious TO steal
the photograph OF a lady you had never
met? For ii is TO Mary nv sister that