The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-03-30
Oval; chuckling at the tale Polling
ham might have to tell on some future
occasion.
H..

iiNSu inv S'NhiiiSo "s Ills PhA'oeS Soi-
dence marked an exception. 1t ran
thus:
''12 Hill Street, Kings Oval.-Dear Mr..
Pellingham: / inclose my photo, in ex-
change for your own, and shall be pleased
to meet you near the bookstall of the
Great Northern Terminus at eight o'clock
tomorrow evening. You will have no diff
ficulty in recognizing me, as l shall dress
in pale green and wear hat trimmed with
red poppies Believe me, yours in conf
dence. ALICE TOWNSHEND."
1t would be impossible to describe
the wonderment of Mr.. Pellingham Oh
receipt of this amazing communica-
ton. The photo was certainly that of
a pretty girl; yet, 'Who is Alice Towns
bend? And what on earth can she
want with me?" were the questions he
still kept asking himself, after putting
every possible and impossible construc-
ton on the letter. In the end curiosity
decided that he must at least keep the
appointment if he ever hoped to solve
the problem.
Accordingly, at the time and place
referred to, he found himself anxiously
awaiting the appearance of the mys-
terious stranger, who was growing all
the more mysterious in not being pres
ent. Five, ten, fifteen minutes passed,
and yet nobody appeared answering to
the description; and he was about to
quit the place, under the impression
that some fool had been playing hoax
on him, when-"I beg your pardon!"
was uttered by himself and another, al
most in the one breath.
The lady he had bobbed into was at
tired in black, and under other circum-
stances would have passed unnoticed.
The mutual apology, however, brought
their eyes together; and he had good
memory for faces.
Miss Townshend, presume?'
The lady paused, and turned pale;
then blushing violently, spoke like
thief caught in the act.
"Mr. Pellingham, 1 believer"
THAT is my name" replied that gen
tleman.
''I-really l had no notion of keeping
this appointment. l took the whole
thing as JEST
"Yet you have kept to" said the for
mer, smiling. q
''In sense, yes. I'm afraid must
plead guilty to curiosity at the last
moment"
mine is a similar confession"
An embarrassing silence followed
this double admission, which Mr.. Pei
linghan was the first to break. "May
I ask, Miss Townshend, how you be-
came acquainted with me, and why you
made this appointment"
AT this direct challenge the lady's
eyes widened with establishment. you
are the Mr.. Pellingham that wrote to
me, are you not?" she asked.
1t was his turn to look astonished.
Wrote to you, he repeated. Certain
ly not. don't understand. I'm afraid
there is some mistake"
A sudden glance of suspicion greeted
this remark, but was quickly dispelled
by his air of candid bewilderment.
Pardon me-" she said, rs she produced
from her handbag letter and photo
graph and handed them to him, ''these
are from you, presumed"
He examined both, and began to
scent the truth. "The photo is mine,"
he replied, "but not the letter. Evil
IDENTIFY some mischievous acquaintance
of mine, whose handwriting l can't
identify, has been playing a practical
joke on US"
Good gracious! Then you know
nothing about this advertisements 2"
She handed him the cutting.
He read it, and looked up with a smile.
II am not responsible for this, assure
you"
well, what stupid jest!"
81 quite agree with YOU"
There was pause, each looked at the
other and tried to appear very much an
noyed. 1t was failure. however, and
they both laughed.
Her thoughts at that moment were:
"What fnely-made, handsome man he
is. A gentleman, evidently. He has
turned 80, though"
On the other hand, he was at loss
to decide whether her most captivating
feature was the charm of her voice, her
unquestionable refinement, or the
beauty of her face; but he gave up the
query as one unaccustomed to such rid
dies.
"Allow me to return your photo"
she said.
"And I, yours" he answered.
The exchange was effected with mu-
tual apologies; which latter, of course,
were unnecessary, but they served to
prolong the interview. The lady was
the first to make move. Good night,
Mr.. Pellingham," she said, extending
her hand, 81 regret our introduction
was not of more formal character"
He took her hand. 1t was dainty and
neatly gloved, and in the novelty of his
sensations he could barely refrain from
pressing it. Good night, Miss Towns
hend," he replied, rather awkwardly,
adding, with a sudden and curious de-
sire to know more of the lady, 81 don't
feel disposed to let the matter drop. 1
must try and find the perpetrator of this
hoax, and demand an apology"