Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-11-04
A MUTUAL MISTAKE.

lumber. I may buy some hardwood
lumber up there"
GLOW much?" she asked.
"Well, she's inquisitive enough"
thought he, but he was tolerant and
answered: "Oh, perhaps 1000, ,OOo
feet"
ooh, 1,OOO,Ooo feett,, Won't that
be nicep hope you'll get it,.
Melton was rather amused at her in.
terest in his affairs. He began to
question her.
"Will you remain here 'long9" he
asked.
.'No, I'm going to leave in a few
days and go to New York. I have an
uncle there, and expect TO take a
trip with him on yacht"
Melton repressed smile ct the
references to the ''uncle" and the
"yacht." He resolved to investigate
further. He had heard that patients
were always willing to talk of their
delusions.
.T notice that you are wearing an
engagement ring" said he. $50 you
are to be married, are you"
For moment she appeared startled
and then she laughed heartily.
"I'm engaged to one of the incest
fellows in the world" said she.
"You're not jealous, are your"
This was moro than Melton had
bargained for. BE had been impelled
by the curiosity of the student, but
he was not enough of ghoul to have
fun with the delusions of an unfor.
tunate girl. he had detected the
maniacsl tone in her laugh.
ooh, no." said he hastily. "G con.
gratulate you"
She laughed again.
"If I remain here I'll have hei
Violent" thought he. So he excused
himself and hurried over to rejoin
Lowry.
As they rode to the city on the late
train Melton told Lowry that the most
interesting patient he had met was o
girl who though. she was only visitor
at the asylum, and who expected to go
to New York and ride on yacht, and
who, saddest of all, wore an engage
ment ring and really believed she was
soon to be married to some nice young
man, who existed only in her dis.
ordered brain.
No longer ago than last week Mel
ton was at luncheon in quiet restau.
rant. He looked up from the bill oi
fare and saw at the next table-the
asylum girl!
She was radiantly attired and wal
chatting gayly with an elderly woman.
"By George, she's cured" said Mel.
ton to himself. "I wonder if she re-
members anything that happened. II
she does remember, it will he mighty
embarrassing if she happens to recog-
nize me-"
Then he asked himself whether it
would be proper to speak to her in
case she recognized him. He knew
the society rules as to ballroom intro
ductlons, but he had nevsr learned
what was good form In tho case of
asylum introductions. If he spoke to
her he would have to refer to their
former meeting. That would be pain.
full to both of them.
Suddenly the pretty girl looked
toward him and gave startled "Oh p
and then blushed furiously. He was
recognized He simply stared at the
bill of fare to hide his confusion.
The voice of Superintendent Lucas
aroused him.
"This is Mr.. Melton, isn't itp Come
over here. I want to tell you a
story"
"No, mol" exclaimed the young
woman.
But Mr.. Lucas, who had come into
the restaurant to keep his appoint
ment with the women, seized Melton
by the arm and led him over to the
other table.
"Mary," said he to the elderly
woman, "this is MIR. Melton, who came
out with Lowry that night. Melton,
Pm going to tell you this. You've met
Miss Caldwell"
The girls face was one fiery blush,
and she seemed ready to CRY.
.sWell, sir, said the superintendent
without pity. ''She met me that
evening you were out there and told
me that the most interesting patient
she had met was that Mr.. Melton.
She said you seemed to be all right
until you started to talk about
lumber"
"I'll never speak to you again, said
Miss Caldwell decisively.
'.And, by the way" continued Mr..
Lucas, "she says you asked her if she
was engaged"
Greatly. I must apologize" said
Melton, great light breaking in upon
him. 81 wouldn't have talked that
way only thought-well, you didn't
say-I supposed she was one"
"What!' exclaimed the girl.
Mr.. Lucas roared and poor Melton
collapsed. Then there was o general
understanding. They insisted that he
take luncheon with them and he did
so, devoting the entire time to a Ia.
bored explanation. Chicago Record.