Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1896-10-22
A DECEPTION.

To this day l live in perpetual fear of
meeting him, indeed l am continually
haunted with the belief that he is scour-
ing the earth for me, thirsting for re-
venge, and that is why l shun the
haunts of men and live a solitary, Sc
cluded life, only venturing out at dusk
and wearing beard (Which doesn't suit
me) and blue glasses (Which | don t
need) as means of disguise. OF course
it should never have happened. | admit
that. A word Of explanation and all
would have been well, and should not
now be living with the sword of Damo-
cles hanging over my head. But let
the opportunity slip and plunged myself
into an intrigue which may yet end in
bloodshed
1t began with very simple mistake
on my part. l was lounging on the pier
at Eastsea one fine morning in Septem-
Der, listening to the grand selection
from the Bohemian Girl" (they play
this every day at Eastsea) and watching
the promenaders, when my eyes fell on
a young lady who was sitting i'll quiet
corner reading a novel / could not see
her face, for it was hidden by a crimson
parasol, but her general appearance at
once told me that it was Flo Beresford,
one Of the prettiest girls know, and.
inwardly congratulating myself, rose
and crossed to her.
So absorbed was she i'll her book that
she did not hear me approach, and to
attract her attention Il know her very
well) | playfully tapped the sunshade
with my paper. She looked up in mo-
ment. and then, to my horror, | saw
had made a mistake; it was not Flo,
but stranger.
/ stood paralyzed, trying to frame an
apology, but before l could get the
words out was amazed to see a lovely
smile Of evident recognition and still
lovelier blush overspread charming
face.
"Georger' she cried in joyous tone.
''This is a surprise. When did you
come? But there, sit down.
Now, l know that this was where l
made the fatal error 1t was evident
that l had double, and equally evident
that she was mistaking me for him.
| know l ought to have undeceived
her, to have murmured few words of
apology. raised my cap and gone away,
but l did not do this. Perhaps it was
her eyes or her mouth or her hair. /
don't know. But, anyway, she drew her
skirts aside, and sat down.
what made you come 500 sud
denly?' she asked.
"Whatr' then recovering myself
"Why, you, Of course" She blushed
divinely.
Couldn't you wait for my answer?'
she murmured softly.
'No, | said, 81 couldn't"
She turned over the pages of her nov
el in distracted fashion. On the fly leaf
l caught sight of some writing-'To
Lucy from George" and the date.
Then sudden inspiration struck me.
l bent my head close to hers, so close
that stray tendril of her brown hair
brushed my cheek
Lucy l Whispered, almost putting
NY lips to her rshell-hke little ear, "what
is your answer?"
She laughed.
Wouldn't you like to know?" she
said "Iposted the letter this morning. I"
Thin answer to my letter." put
in. taking a step in the dark.
eyes, in answer to your letter. And
you'd have had it tonight.
And as it Is I've missed it"
eyes, you've missed it, "
"Buf you'll tell me what-what you
said?'
She bent her head and toyed with
the tassel of her parasol. She was very
lovely.
"I've half mind not to-just to
tease you, she murmured.
do you want to drive me distract
ed?" l cried.
A ripple of laughter came from her
rosy lips.
"You see if you'd only waited?'
but IL couldn't wait. Lucy, you
will tell me?''
"Not-not now. :"
"When?"
/. "To-tonight perhaps" ?"
"Here?''
Eyes, here. "
Then wondered what it was he had
asked her. 1t seemed to me that it could
only be one thing. but All, / had il.
Have you kept my letter." asked.
MKnnt it2 Oh lIanrpa ves Why