The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-10-26

buAueu uucoHpidtniuBiy duu tnlBut
have forgotten. But that she should
deny that it had existed-that she had
ever known me-that was past tolera-
tion.
"They live at Brighton" Dick con-
tinued, $50 that we are not too far
away to visit them. You must come
down some day with me. want you
to know herr
There are times when it were unwise
to be sincere.
81 shall be delighted" said, even
while l reviewed the excuses upon
which / should be able to rely in the
event of his some day rendering a more
definite invitation. Then L turned the
conversation into another channel, and
in little while, somewhat to the dis
gust of my friend, who had much TO
tell, left.
About a month had passed when
had note one day from Mrs. Luttrell
DEAR Mr.. MORTIMER We have
taken tickets for the Lyceum matinee
on Saturday, and three OF four friends
are TO meet us there. I wonder if you
are free that afternoon and would care
to meet US and go with us TO the thea
ter. Yours very truly,
FRANCES LUTTRELL.
1t was a miserable, foggy day, and
half feared they would not come. But
though their train was somewhat de-
layed, they presently arrived, and.we
took cab along the Strand. Madge
looked unusually pretty, and greeted
me with a disappointing cheerfulness.
had counted on little sympathy from
her, but her aspect was one of rather
mischievous enjoyment. 1t would have
been timely enough if she had held in
store for me some very delightful sur
prise. She even referred to a matter
which 1 thought had escaped her OBJ
servation.
81 did not think that you would de-
scend to theft" she said. al would
have given it to you. And, of course,
you have discovered your mistake"
We were entering the theater as she
spoke, and there was momentary
press of people, and l affected not to
have heard her speech indeed was
not little angry. Her clumsiness was
obviously intentional, for I was well
aware that she in nowise suffered from
want Of tact
Amoment later we were being shown
to our seats.
"Will you take the inside seat ?" sail
Madge, and 1 moved ol,ediently 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 no tremor in her voice when
she spoke a moment later.
"How do you do?' she said politely,
and in the same words answered her.
Presently she leaned little nearer
and spoke to me in her soft, pretty
voice:
"You have nothing to say ?'' she said,
''You may talk, you know"
/ turned to her with look of desper-
alton. Why could she not leave me to
myself? 81 had forgotten" 1 said. 1
must congratulate you-or Dick, at any
rate"
"Oh, she answered smilingly, "you
may congratulate me also. Do not fear
it has happened marvelously WELL"
"Marvelously well ~ | echoed.
"Yes," she continued, "and particu-
larly in that you are his special friend.
1t is SO nice for the wife when the hus-
bands friend is nice. But why didn't
you tell him you knew the Luttrells-
and me?'
/ stared at her. incredulous of her
cruelty.
"How could / tell him ?'' 1 said in
You had denied acquaint-
ance with me, and since you had for
gotten, do you think 1 wished to re-
member?v
/ was a trifie startled at the effect of
this speech. 1t should have silenced
her. thought SO at least, but it SEEM
ed as if had injured her, and now a
greater indignation than my own arose
ia her.
at il not true" she said. "What do
you mean? I saw him only fortnight
ago, when / returned from Sandybar,
and distinctly remember telling him
that day that | had met you there.
Mother did suggest that he might bring
you down some Saturday; bat, of
course'-
interrupted. "You only saw him
fortnight ago? Why, its full month
since he told me you were engaged.
Aud yet you have known him only a
fortnight ?''
She looked at me with a sort of pitt
ful amazement
"He told you he was engaged TO me?
Why, he's engaged to Mary, my sister.
And besides
A new life entered into me. The old
hope lived again Yet was convinced.
''He showed me your photograph"
/ said.
She looked at me moment Slowly
the bewilderment faded from her face.
and it appeared that she was nightly
amused.
@Did he tell you my name?n she
asked.
"He showed me your likeness and
told me you were engaged to him. ]
don't remember whether he told me
your name. But there was no need.
do not forget so easily"
Maud chuckled. There is no other
word.
"You have seen the photograph be
fore 2p she said.
81 stole it out Of Madge Lattrell's
album the day was to leave Sandy
bar. thought
Surely it was little curious to steal
the photograph Of a lady you had never
met, for 1t is to Mary, my sister, TIA