Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-10-22
have it here" putting her hand to her

LET you? Oh, SO you want to draw
back, do yGu? Well, you can if you"--
my darling, ~
"George, forgive me. Of course
know. There il is.
II was about to say" | observed as !
took it, "that only wanted to see if ]
had spelled necessary with one OF
two.
She opened wide her eyes.
"Necessary?" she said. "Why, there s
no such word IN the f9tter. -
Isn't thoref" 1 murmured. LET me
see.'
Yes, read it, but 1 don t think it
would be right to let any one else do so.
Ny theory V as correct, however.
81 am wrong, 1 said. as 1 returned
it to her. II didn't use the word "
81 knew you didn't"
There was a pause.
"And-and you don't want to draw
back?''
mot for worlds, Z | cried recklessly.
Draw ba, k indeed. :"
We talked Of many things after that.
She told me about her mother, who was
an invalid, it appeared.
"And shan't be able to come out
this Afternoon, she said, "but you'll
come up ard see mamma?''
| hesitated momen,-only mo-
ment
Eyes" l said, "But do you know
it's very fruny-Lut The fact is I've ac-
tually forgotten where you're staying.
Ha, hal
"oh, yen stupid boyl South Parade,
of course.
"Of course. Number?"
eleven.
"To be sure.
Mamma will be SO pleased to see
you"
II shall be pleased to see mamma, .
respor led
The band had ceased playing now,
and | saw her off the pier-saw her
home. i'll fact
"This afternoon then?' she said
brightly as | bade her good morning.
| said yes. but | did not mean it.
No, / had resolved to let the matter I'd
no farther. Up to this point it had sim
ply been a very innocent Joke. But it
should end.
Hang it, you know it wasn't right
In fact, it was dishonorable. I-weIl.
then thought Of her answer and what
it was likely to be, and-well. at 8
O'Clock was sitting in the front draw
ing room at No. II slipping tea and
talking to very charming old lady who
welcomed me as-a son.
Lucy accompanied me to the door
when took my leave.
What time shall call for you?'' /
asked
"Seven."
Il shall live in torture till then" "
mo, you must live-in hope, " she
replied, and then she disappeared.
| was there at z. She was ready. She
put her arm through mine quite confid-
ingly, and we walked down the pier.
Our corner was vacant, and we sat
down. Her eyes were very bright, and
her cheeks were flushed. 1t was q mild,
warm evening. The sea splashed lazily
on the golden sands, and the band play
ed a dreamy waltz
'Have you forgotten?" I murmured
as took her hand.
''Forgotten?"
"Your answer?''
She was silent.
Lucy, what is it? Speak This-this
suspense is killing me. -
1 think did it pretty well. There
was decided thrill of genuine passion
in my voice.
The fact is believe loved her.
"It's-it's a word Of th-three let
ters, " she lnurmured.
"Of three
George, is my hat straight?''
This was after-after the band had
played three waltzes and two descriptive
pieces, and it was time to go home.
| saw her home, Of course, and we
fingered at the gate another half hour.
II may tell mammal she whispered
softly as | released her.
eyes, do, | said
After all, what did it matter?
Then | suddenly felt the pressure Of
her lips to mine, and the next moment
she had vanished. And as | walked
back to my hotel smoking'a a cigarette
thought what pleasant evening l had
spent.
Alasl never saw her again. | should
have'me her on the pier the next morn
ing, but did not do SO. l don't think
Il say l don't think-I should have
done SO i'll any case, but the real reason
why didn't was this:
As came down the Dext morning
met gentleman on the stairs who was
so like me that we might have been
twins.
1t was George =
What did l do? Why, promptly pack
ed my portmanteau and took train to q
remote village in Scotland. ] often won.
der now if lie ever found out Of one
thing | am certain. She would not tell
him.-St. Faul's