Catoctin clarion., 1897-10-28
AN AWKWARD FIX.

Dacre, ruefully twisting up cigarette.
The other man laughed.
Are you talking of those two Den.
nison girls? They're not both exactly
alike
Its all very well for you, but
haven't your long sight, and l declare
to you if see either of them at little
distance or in a bad light | cant 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 Ballyntine. One of them is rather
skittish.'
Charlie got himself up that night
with extraordinary care, and as he was
a good looking fellow he 'esented a
rather striking appearance as he entered
Mrs. Dennison's drawing rooms. He
had been detained, 80 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.
spects to the host and hostess the daugh
ter of the house, prettlly dressed in
white and blue, came up. Dacre begged
for dance-two dances.
I'm go sorry said she, but I've
nothing vacant till the lancers. lou re
little late, Mr.. Dacre, you see. with
slight accent of reproach as she gave
him her card. Charlie apologized in
the humblest terms, and the gil 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
shade from the glare of the lights. The
blue aad white OF her filmy gown stood
out against the dark background. DAcre
fastened across the room to her.
Miss Dennison-my dance, he said
eagerly. May r
She turned her pretty face and alc1ed
her eyebrows in surprise.
YES said Charlie, the lancers-
you promised.-oh, | beg your pardon.
You re your cousin-I mean, the other
Miss Denuison-and, Of course, l have
not seen you before.
Then, recovering from his confusion
before the young lady could speak, he
added:
I hope am not too late to get a
dance, Miss Dennison.
Having secured this, he sought the
other Isabel.
why in the fend's name do they
dress alike? he muttered in nervous
fear of another mistake. He might be
continually coming across the ore he
didn't want, like a recurring decimal
Several times he bore down on fair
girl in blue and white, but turned
away, deciding that he had only come
on an Isabel in another place. The
ancers had begun. 1t was In full swing
before he came suddenly on sofa
where sat the Isabel.
Miss Dennison, he stammered, I'm
SO sorry
Pray don't apologize said she coldly.
4 assure you the delay is not CT the
slightest moment
Indeed, it was quite unintentaI,
said the unfortunate Charlie in despair.
4 have been looking for YOU
I have been sitting here the last
ten minutes, and you passed ne just
now
I saw blue and white Dress ac-
knowledged Charlie, but some people
came between it and me. Won't you
forgive me and dance this? 1t isn't too
late
i think my mother wants me- said
Isabel, rising with dignity.
May l take you to herr
No, thank you.
Charlie only got pardoned VIXEN
everybody was going. lie wac mad with
himself, but could not bring himself to
acknowledge the real reason of his ap
parent neglect. He was sensitive about
these constant mistakes. They went on
happening. OF course, the one Isabel
laughing at him, which he dreaded, the
other turning naughty and offended.
He offered some flowers TO Dennison
girl one day and she sand demurely,
Are you sure they were meant for
me?'
Whom else could they be meant for:?'
said Charlie, sentimentally.
My cousin, perhaps-she is over
there said the girl, merrily. Drace
flushed in unutterable confusion and
took back the flowers, scarcely know,
ing what he did. And when he turned