Santa Fe daily New Mexican., 1897-09-29
that marry the right girl. 1t would

that marry bne rlBn6 girl. lG would
be awfully awkward if | didn't. -
His opportunity seemed thrown into
his hands, for he was invited to spend
a week at country house where the
Isabel 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 Dennisons?" Charlie al
most gasped.
"Not all of them-only Isabel and
Lucy"
This was comforting. And both Isa-
bells had such an odious habit of dress
ing in the same colors! Why didn't they
wear different colored ribbons, like
French twins?
He got along fairly we'll, with great
care and caution. One evening he saw
Isabel Dennison entering the library.
He knew it was his one because she
had on gray dress, whereas her cousin
had worn green one during the day.
1t was too dark to see her features. He
followed her into the room.
"The incest time for chat" he
said, and she made movement as if to
leave the room, fitting toward far
ther door.
"Yes, but I'm afraid can't stay, :"
she said. ~ only came to fetch some
thing left here"
"Well-but don't go-stay min
ute," said Dacre entreatingly. He had
no doubt at all about his accuracy as to
identity. Her desire to escape from him
was sure proof, let alone others, for
it was precisely the desire she had
shown in the last few days, and which
he took as a favorable sign. ''Miss Den
nison-Isabel-am I mistaken in think
ing-in hoping-you know-you surely
must know that I love you'll
The girl had stood still for second,
while Charlie rushed on with his decla-
ration, but she interrupted him hastily:
"Indeed, Mr.. Dacre, I'm afraid
"Don't say that" said Charlie, 60
ing nearer. "All those weeks in town
down here, when we have been thrown
so much together-I surely have not mis-
understood"
A stifled sound came from the dim
figure before him. whether laugh or
what he could not tell, but he suddenly
started back, and in so doing came face
to face with another Isabel in a gray
dress.
If the earth had opened and swallow
ed him, Charlie would have been
thankful. This was the crowning disas-
ter. Neither Isabel stirred. Which, in
heavens name, was which? To whom
had he proposed? How should he ever
know he had got the right Isabel?
He recognized after the first wild
movement that he must save the situa-
tion. He approached the newcomer,
who eyed him disdainfully.
'sMiss Dennison-Isabel, he began
(Which Miss Dennison do you intend
to address, Mr. Dacre?" she demanded
stif1y.
How the deuce should know? 1t is
nearly dark, and you both evade me-. %
"You had better pursue your conver-
sation with the lady you seem to recog-
nize best, and will retire."
The other Isabel sprang forward.
Don't be goose, COUSIN" said she,
half laughing, "and you, Mr.. Dacre,
wait minute. You know very we'll,
Isabel, it's all mistake, and I'd have
interrupted Mr. Dacre before only he
was SO impetuous had no time. He
didn't mean me at alp
"Mr. Dacre doesn't seem to know
whom he MEANS" said the offended Is
abel.
81 know very we'll when l can see
them,' murmured Charlie, nearly
crushed. "Here goes for light"
But when blaze of light illumined
the room only one Isabel remained
Dacre took her hand.
"You are the one," he said.
"Are you quite sure?' she asked
archly.
"Ah, that's cruell OF course I am
What will you say to me, Isabel-for-
give me and"-
"Love YOU" whispered Isabel
II hope it's the right one," said Bal
lantyne when the marriage ceremony
was over, "but upon my word he was
almost taking the bridesmaid s hand in
stead of the brides. "-London Star