The Ravalli Republican., 1898-09-14

when II beg your pardon! was
uttered by himself and another al
most in the one breath. -.. .5.
The lady he had bobbed into was
attired in black, and under other
circumstances would have passed
unnoticed. The mutual apology,
however, brought their eyes togeth-
er, and he had a good memory for
faces. ...@..- A.. 49,. .z...-.
Miss Townshend, presume.
The lady paused, and turned pale;
then, blushing violently, spoke like
a thief caught in the act. N.Y.
"Mr. Pellingham, believe"
"That is my name,' replied that
gentleman. ..z. ...@.
"I-really I had no notion of
keeping this appointment. I took
the whole thing as jest. -
"Yet you have kept it, said the
former, smiling.
"1n a sense, yes. I'm afraid /
must plead guilty to curiosity at the
AltcI 11lO1IClls
milne is similar confession.
AN EN- barrassing silence followed
this double admission, which Pei
hngham was the first to break.
MAY I ask, Miss Townshend, how
you became acquainted with mo
and why you made this appoint
mentt"
At this direct challenge the lady's
eyes wideneds with astonishment.
"You are the Mr.. Pellingham that
wrote to me, are you not?' she
asked.
1t was his turn to look astonished
"Wrote to your he repeated. Ger
tainly not. I don't understand. I'm
afraid there is some mistake
A sudden glance of suspicion
greeted this remark, but was quick
ly dispelled by his air of candid be-
wilderment. ''Pardon me- she
said, as she produced from her
hand bag letter and a photograph
and handed them to him. "These
are from you, presumed"
He examined both, and began to
scent the truth. 1.-The photo is
mine" he replied, "but not the let
ter. Evidently some mischievous
acquaintance of mine, whose hand
writing can't identify, has been
playing practical joke on US. +"
Good gracious Then you know
nothing about this advertisemen q"
She handed him the cutting.
He read it and looked up with a
smile. u am not responsible for
this, assure you
"Well, what stupid jest|"
'I'quite agree with you"
There was q pause. Each looked at
the other and tried to appear very
much annoyed. 1t was failure,
however, and they both laughed.
Her thoughts at that moment
were: "What finely made, hand
some man he is--a gentleman, evi-
dentlyl He has~trrned 80, though. "
On the other hand, he was at q
loss to decide whether her most cap
tivating feature was the charm OF
her voice, her unquestionablo refine
n1ent or. the beauty of her face, but
he gave up the query as one unac-
customed to such riddles.
"Allow me to return your photo,
she said.
And l, yours, F" he answered.
The exchange was effected with
mutual apologies, which latter, OF
course, were unnecessary, but they
served to prolong the interview
The lady was the first to make {
move. Good night, MI. Pelling
han,'' she said, extending her hand
II regret our introduction was no
Of more formal character,
He took her hand It was dainty
and neatly gloved and in the novel
ty Of his sensations he could barely
refrain from pressing it. "Goot
night, Miss Townshend, he replied
rather awkwardly, adding, with {
sudden and curious desire to know
more of the lady, II don't feel dis
posed to let the matter drop.
must try and find the perpetrator 0
this hoax and demand an apology.
Pray don't trouble on my ac
count" was the response. LAS
told YOU; 1 was not in earnest my
self. +"
He bowed and raised his hat, a
, the same time making a last desper
ate effort to retain the acquaintance
ship II take It, then, you have n
further interest in,the natter2"
She hesitated a moment and look
Ell at her boot: It was a trifling &C
ton, but it emboldened him to add
) "0therwise + should ask permis
sion, ii case lido make any discov
cry, to drop line or communicat
with you. still have your address
you know
Again she looked at him and II
stinct convinced her that ne was
gentleman. She answered:
"Pray do what you think fit, M,
Pellingham. And now, good nigh
again.
4 "5ood night, Miss Townshen'
y y and thank you