The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-05-18

i
was full of bright prospects.
! ..io iIiraLItiIlIe, also. 2moug
strange faces i'll strange lands he
had missed very kecnly the society
of his ideal, Nellie Marsh, and the
many pleasant recollections he in.
dulged in concerning her had all
the more charm for him now that
he was at length in a position to
confess his love.
He had left Charing Cross and
was turning into the Strand when
voice behind him said: "Tom
Wherever have you sprung from9"
He turned, and his heart gave a
leap Of delight. "Nclliel What a
fortunate meeting."
The surrounding commotion pre-
vented any display of sentiment. He
managed, however, to explain the
cause of his absence and convey to
her some idea of his recent success
whereat she looked at him proudly
and smiled with ell her old kindli-
ness as she said:
II can't tell you how delighted
am, Tom, but I'm not surprised to
hear of your getting on. You know
I've always believed in you"
"Of course you have, Nellie" he
responded, and he felt that the mo-
ment was the happiest he had ever
known.
but you are not tho only ono
with story to tell" she added,
smiling significantly.
"Indeed7 Out with it, then" he
answered lightly. "Your bus won t
be here for ten minutes"
"Well, once upon time-that is
to say about month ago-somo
| person or persons unknown put Il
matrimonial advertisement in a
daily paper.
He gave start and looked at her
sharply, but her eyes were wander
ing for the moment, and she contin-
ued, Nov, it happened that very
intimate friend of mino named Miss
Townshend answered the advertise
ment for the fun of the thing, and
gave the address of her milliner,
whom she took into her confidence. -
"Welli" he asked, prepared by
this time for further surprise.
"Well, what do you think, Tom
The advertisement turned out to be
huge hoax, and instead of meeting
the advertiser, as arranged, the lady
made the acquaintance of Mr.. AL
fred Pellingham."
"Pellingham2 fancy I know the
gentleman.
"You see, he kept the appoint
ment out of sheer curiosity, not
knowing who the lady was or why
she had written to him. Of course,
the joker had written to her first
Of all from the wcolg address. j
hope you follow me-
''Of course / follow you. But,
cay, Nellie, what on earth has all
this''-
"Wait a minute. I'm coming to
the denouement, as they say in the
novels
pardon me-" said Tom, with a
smile, "I think 1 can guess the
sequel. Your lady friend and Mr..
Pellingham fell desperately in love
at the first meeting and have met
several times since, with the result
that they are now engaged to he
married"
"They are married"
Really, that is romance. I sup
pose, Nellie, YOU were the principal
bridesmaid
ooh, no, Tom"
"No7 BY the way-this Miss
Townshend that was-who is shes''
"She is my most intimate friend. y
He looked up with puzzled ex-
preston. Il ought to know the
lady"
cts your own fault if you don't,
for you've been friendly with her
all your life.
His eyes widened. REALLY, Mel
lie, don t understand
"Oh, Tom," she exclaimed, with
humorous petulance, chow very
stupid you are! Miss Townshend
never existed She's myth. Don t
you see, t0aC was the name that
assumed when I answered that ad-
vertisement2
"You2" he gasped.
"Yes, 1, Tom" she replied, add
ing GONE words of friendly parting,
which were a vague recollection by
the time the bus had whirled her
out OF sight and he had begun to
realize the truth.
"She was right" he groansd. So
am very stupid. london Tit Bits.
| Rumors OF Clerical Life.
Some of the ideas held with re.
gard to ecclesiastical matters are as
funny as they are extraordinary,
though they cause one to reflect on