Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-04-30

About u month had passed when l
had u note one day FROM Mrs, Luttrell;
DEAN MI. MoRTIMER--We have taken tickets
for tho Byccum matinee on Saturday. and
thrcv or four frtUnda nre to meet us tlsers.
wonder " you are free that afternoon and
would care TO meet us and go with ua TO the
thcater. Yours'vory truly Il t.aNg'NH@
FRANnEs LuTTRnLL.
1t was,a miserable. foggy day, and
half feared they would not come, But
though, their train was somewhat, delay
ed they presently arrived, and we took
cab along the Strand. Madge looked
unusually pretty and greeted me with
disappointing cheerfhlhess! Thad count
ed on,a little sympathy from her, but
her aspect was one of rather mischie-
vous enjoyment It would have been
timely enough II she had held In store
for me some very delightful surprise.
She even referred to matter which
had hoped for month past had escaped
her observation.
~ did not think that you would de.
scend to theft. she said. II would
have given it to you. And, of course
you have discovered your mistaks.'
We wero entering the theater as she
spoke, and there was a momentary press
of people, and affected not to have
heard her speech; indeed I was not
little angry. Her clumsiness was OBJ
viously Intentional. for / was we'll
aware that she in nowise suffered from
want of tact
A moment later we were being shown
to QUA seats.
"Will you take the inside seat?' said
Madge, and moved obediently to the
last vacant one, next to the lady whose
face was turned from me was Just
taking my seat when she turned and
looked up at tut. She had the grace to
blush, for II was Maud Cameron, but
there was no tremor In her voice when
she spoke moment later.
How do you dor she said politely.
and in the same words answered her.
Presently she leaned u little nearer
and spoke tome In her soft. pretty voice:
'You have nothing to say?" she said
"You may talk. you know. +"
turned to her with look Of tlesper.
alton. Why could not she leave me to
myself II had forgotten, said. II
must congratulate you--or Dick. ut amy
rate
"Oh, she answered smilingly. ''you
may congratulate me also Do not fear;
1t has happened marvelously we'll"
'Marvelously wellP' echoed.
Yes" she continued, ''and particu.
larly In that you are his special friend
II liz NO nice for the wife when tho hus.
band friend In nice. But why didn't
you tell him you knew tho Luttrells-
and mel'
stared ut her. inorednlous of her
cruelty.
"How could tell himg' said indig-
nantly. you had denied acquaintance
with me, and, since you had forgotten.
do You think wished 70 rememberf'
! was u trifie startled ut the effect Of
this speech II should have silenced her.
thought no at least. but 1t seemed az
IL had injured her, and now greater
indignation than my own arose In her
1T IL not true" she said. "What do
you meanl I saw him only fortnight
ago, when returned from Sandybar,
and distinctly remember telling him
that day that had met you there.
Mother did suggest that no might, bring
you down one Saturday;but, Of course
interrupted. You only saw him
fortnight agoY Why. tits y full month
since he told me you were engaged.
And yet you have known him only
fortnight"
She looked at me with sort Of pitt
full amazenent.
'He told you no was engaged to me?
Why. he's engaged to Mary. my sister.
And besides"---
A new life entered into me. I he old
hope lived again Yet was convinced
''He showed p,e your photograph.
said.
the bewildorment faded from her face.
and ii appeared sho WINS pightily
amused.
''pid he toll you my namer' she
asked.
HE showed me your likeness and
told mo you were engaged to him
don I remember II he told me your name.
But there was no need. do not forget
NO easily"
Maud chucleled. There is no other
word.
you have seen the photograph be-
fore?" she said.
II stole 1t out Of Madge Luttrell's al
bum the day was TO leave Sandybar.
Thought
"Surely II was little curious 10
steal the photograph Of n lady you had
tever met, for ID ~ to Mary, my sister,
that Mr. Ferguson Is engaged. aud IL
was her photograph you took from