Connecticut western news., 1897-11-18
AN AWKWARD FIX.

"Do you think two girls ought to be born so exactly alike?' said Charlie Dacre, ruefully twisting up cigarette.
 The other man laughed.
 "Are you talking of those two Den- nison girls? They're not exactly alike. D ''It's all very we'll for you, but haven't your long sight, and I declare to you if see either of them at a little distance or in bad light can't tell which is which. I am going to party tonight given by the respected parents of my Dennison. and I positively dread it."
 Perhaps they play tricks on you, " said Ballantyne "One of them is rathe, skittish.
 Charlie got himself up that night with extraordinary care, and as he was good looking fellow he presented a rather striking appearance as he entered Mrs. Dennison's drawing rooms. He had been detained, so that most of the guests had arrived when he came, and his inamorata was nowhere to be seen. But shortly after he had paid his re- speots to the host and hostess the daugh- ter of the house. prettily dressed in white and blue, came up. Dacre begged for a dance-two dances.
 "I'm so sorry" said she, "but I've nothing vacant till the lancers. You re a little late, MT. Dacre. you see" with a slight accent of reproach as she gave him her card. Charlie a2plogized in the humblest terms, and the girl be- slowed a smile on him as she was led away.
 Dacre went to seek her in good time for his lancers. She sat on an ottoman in distant part of the room, where the dropping folds of a curtain formed a shade from the glare of the lights. The blue and white of her flmy gown stood out against the dark background. Dacre hastened across the room to her.
 Miss Dennison-my danoe," he said eagerly. May I?''
 She turned her pretty face and arched her eyebrows in surprise.
 Yes" said Charlie, "the lancers- you promised-oh, I beg your pardon. You're your cousin-I mean, the other Miss Dennison-and,o of course, I haven t seen you before"
 Then, recovering from his confusion before the young lady could speak, he added:
 II hope I'm not too late to get a dance, Miss Dennison?"
 Having secured this, he sought the other Isabel.
 "Why in the fiend's name do they dress alike?' he muttered in nervous fear of another mistake. He might be continually coming across the one he didn't want, like a recurring decimal Several times he bore down on fai, girl in blue and white, but turned away, deciding that he had only come on an Isabel in another place. The lancers had begun. Itwas in full swing before he came suddenly on a sofa where sat the Isabel. Miss Dennison," he stammered, "I'm SO sorry"-
 "Pray don't apologize, said she coldly. "I assure you the delay is not of the slightest moment. Indeed, it was quite unintentional, ' said the unfortunate Charlie in despair. 1T have been looking for you'- 'I have been sitting here the las ten minutes, and you passed me just l now"
 'I saw blue and white dress," ac knowiedged Charlie. "but some people came between it and me. Won't yor forgive me and dance this2 It isn't tot late."
 "I think my mother wants me-" sait Isabel, rising with dignity. May take you to herr"
 "No. thank you. Charlie only got pardoned wher everybody was going. He was mad witt l himself, but could not bring himself tt | acknowledge the real reason of his ap parent neglect. He was sensitive abou these constant mistakes They went ol happening, of course, the one Isabe laughing at him, which he dreaded, tn, other turning naughty and offended He offered some flowers to Dennisol girl one day and she said demurely "Are you sure they were meant fo me?''
 Whom else could they be mean for?" said Charlie sentimentally.
 My cousin, perhaps-she's ovel there," said the girl merrily. Daor' flushed in unutterable confusion anC took back the flowers, scarcely know ing what he did. And when he turned away he met the scornful eyes of gir who must be the Isabel he wanted be cause the girl he had left wasn't she It was quite impossible to present the flowers, and he made a crestfallen es cape as soon as he could.
 Hang it, I'll end all thisi' he sait angrily one day. But shall have tt be careful, if am happily successful that marry the right girl. It would be awfuIly awkward if I didn't ;"
 His opportunity seemed thrown into his hands, for he was invited to spend a week at a country house where the Isab bel was also going with her mother. He sat next her at dinner, and to his great delight saw no other Isabel.
 "We shall be larger party tomor- row" said the young lady. My cous- ins are coming"
 "The-the DennisonsP' Charlie al most gasped.
 | Mot all of them-only Isabel and Luoy."