, 1896-07-27
panions vanished AS srddenly as they

panions vanished AS nddenly as they
had come.
Zone month later | was almost worn
out with the entertainments furnished
by my sister in her efforts to make my
visit pleasant. There was to be one more
dance, probably the last. Is we were to
Etert homey;ard the first of tEs following
week. Paul hid beer visiting relatives
and had just returned in time to take
part.
"As the wagons drove up at the door
held I heard a young lady, a friend Of
my sisters, call out:
"'Why, where has Mr.. Meredith
gomez But l thought nothing about it
then.
1.-The dancing had been going on for
only n short time when this young lady
came up to NE and, with tones suggest
i've of veXution or pique, said:
"'Mr. Meredith wishes to be intro
duced to you
"Mr. Meredith then asked me to
dance with him. and lot once but many
times we danced together. He was an
admirable dancer. Yet l could hardly
hear what he said so perplexcd was l,
wondering where ICould have heard his
voice before. But at length as he ex-
tended his hand l glanced down and
saw n small cross cut on the diamond
Of his ring.
my dcars, l almost tainted outright.
But to the end he acted the part of a
gentleman. He led me to Il window and
stood talking while he shielded my agi-
tation from the room now filled with
whirling couples.
Nothing was said for several min
utes. In my foolish heart l was trying
to think of some romantic reason that
would account for his mode of life. His
face, from which the beard and mus
tachc were gene, looked like that of
some boyish Sir G~alahad, not like that
Of n criminal. His kindly brown eyes
shonc on me with a world of laughing
in them.
"'Wcll, he said smilingly. At the
same moment l caught sight of Paul in
the doorway talking to a man whom l
did not know and with earnest gestures
pointing to my partner. Paul, too, had
recognized him.
Though my heart was beating so
hard that l could not speak, I motioned
to Mr.. Meredith to finish the dance,
and when we reached the side nearest
the opposite door l stopped.
"'Bend down your head l whis-
pered family. Some ore has recog-
nized you. l saw them. You must
CO. Ny voice trcmbled. l am sure.
"'Must?' ne said slowly, still smil-
ing. Then he frowncd. But the smile
came back instantly rs he glanced at
me rs stood pale and trembling. Poor
little sirl!' he said. so divided be-
tween a sense Of duty and pity for a
poor wretch like me. Come-a bargain,
child! One more dance all around the
room and back here and l will GO
"'You ought TO 90 now l faltered.
"'Not until we finish this dance he
said firmly.
"He supported me almos! entirely as
lieve that l should have slipped to the
floor.
"'Now, go!' I whispered in perfect
terror.
"'Goodbyr he said earnestly. 'Ishall
never forget you. Think of me as kindly
as you cun.'
"He had vanished Ill the darkness
and none too soon. A few minutes Later
the sheriff and two Of his men appeared,
fully armed; but Mr.. Meredith was no
where to be found-nor did any ont
ever discover how he had escaped"
Grandmother sighed softly.
II have always been glad to know he
escaped" she added.
'.Is that all:"
eyes, except that after the notice OF
my n,arriagc lad been inserted in the
papers l rCc@.Tcd IN express package
containing diamond ring with IA cross
cut in its surface"
The girls were silent for II few mo-
ments, and ,ilCn Logan with cxclaua.
tons of Go!ight at the story, romantic
beyond anything they had expected.
Then sai6 saucy Irenc, with q twinkle
i'll her eyes:
"GraIIdniother, darling. I'll wager
anything that you never told GRANDPA
ther ali this story"
The pink Llush spread over grand
mothers face, but the dear old sou
would not lie even to point n moral.
mo, my dear girls, she said, slowly.
sit was very wrong, no doubt. but
never did. Mimic G. Hale in Brook.
lyn Eagle.