The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-18
had cxistcd-that she had ever known
Inf 1xrnS 1aaSt tolorat;1s.

y
know her. :"
There are times when it were unwise
to be sincere.
II shall be dclightcd." I said even
whilo l reviewed the excuses unon
which l should be able to rely in The
event of his some day rendering :, moro
definite invitation Then | turned rho
conversation into other channels. and IL
u little while, somewhat TO the disgust
of my friend, who had much to tell. |
left.
About month had passed when 1
had II note one day from Mrs. Luttrell:
DEAR MIR MoRrIMER-Wo have taken tickets
for the Lyccum matinee on SATURDAY, md
three or four friends to meet us there |
wonder If you arc FREQ that afternoon and
would care to meet us and go with us to the
theater. Yours very truly,
FRANCES LUrTRELr
1t was II miserable, foggy day, and I
hat feared they would not como. But
though their train was somewhat delay-
ed they presently arrived, and we took
IL cab along tho Strand. Madgc looked
unusually pretty and greeted me with a
disappointing cheerfulncss. had count
ed OH little sympathy from her, but
her aspect was ono of rather mischic-
vous enjoyment. 1t would have been
timely enough if she had held in store
for me some very delightful surprise.
She even referred to a matter which
had hoped for Il month past had escapcd
her observation
did not think that you would de-
sccnd 70 theft, " She said Il would
have given it to you. And of course.
You have discovered Your mistake. -
We We're entering the thcatcr as size
I spoke and there was momentarv press
OF people, and 1 affected not to have
heard her speech; indeed was not IA
little angry. Her clumsincss was OBJ
viously Intentional, for l was we'll
aware that she i'll nowise suffered from
want OF tact
y moment later We were being shown
to our seats.
will you take the inside scat?" said
Madgc, and l moved obcdicntly to the
last vacant one, next to the lady whose
face was turned from me. l was Just
taking my seat when she turned and
/ looked up at me. She had the grace to
blush for it was Maud Cameron. but
there was 10 trcinor III her voice when
/ she spoke Il moment later.
/ How do Won dog She said politely.
and III the Same words answered her.
Presently she leaned Il little nearer
and spoke tome III her soft, pretty voice:
You have nothing to say?' she said
You may talk, you know
turned to her with look of dcsper.
alton. Why could not she leave me to
myself? Il had forgotten, said II
must congratulate you-or Dick, ut any
rate. -
"Oh. " She answered smilingly, "you
may congratulate me also Do not fear;
1T has happened marvclously we'll +"
'Marvclously well.' / echoed
yes" she continued, land particu-
larly in that You are his special friend.
1t is so nice for the wife when the hus-
band friend is nice. But why didn't
you tell him you knew the Luttrclls-
and mc?n
I stared ut her, incrcdulous of her
cruelty.
How could L tell him. said indig-
nantly. 'You had denied acquaintance
with me, and since you had forgotten,
do YOU think | wished to rcmcmbcr?"
| WAS Il tritlc startled ut the effect OF
this speech. 1t should have silcnced her.
L thought so ut least, but ii seemed us
II had injured her, and NOW IL greater
indignation than my own arose in her.
1t is not true she said. What do
you mean? L saw him only Il fortnight
ago when I returned from Sandybar,
and distinctly remember telling him
that day that l had met YOU there.
Mother did suggest that he might bring
you down one Saturday;bnt, of course''-
L interrupted. lyon only saw him II
fortnight ago? Why It's Il full month
since he told me y0u We're engaged
And yet You have known him ONLY n
fortnight:'
She looked ut me with Il sort of pitt
full anlazcmcnt.
He told you he was engaged TO me?
Why, he's engaged to Mary, my sister.
And bcsidcs''-
a new life entered into ne. The old
hope lived again. Yet was convinced
He showed me your photograph, " 1
said
She looked at me a moment Slowly
the bcwldcrmcnt faded from her face
and it appeared she was nightly
amused
Did he tell you my nanic?" she
asked.
He showed me your likeness and
told me you were engaged to him. /
don remember if he told me yournan
BIT there was no need. / do not forget
so easily
Maud chucklcd. There is no other
word
You have seen the photograph he
forc?" she said.
-. stole II ont of Mouun I uttrol1,. 81