The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-03-31

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 a good
memory for faces.
"Miss Townshend, presume?"
The lady paused, and turned pale;
then blushing violently, spoke like a
thief caught in the act.
"Mr. Pellingham, believer"
''That is my name" replied that gen
tleman.
"+really had no notion of keeping
this appointment. took the whole
thing as jest"
"Yet you have kept it?" said the for
mer, smiling.
I'm sense, yes. I'm afraid must
plead guilty to curiosity at the last
moment"
mine is similar confession
An embarrassing silence followed
this double admission, which Mr.. Pei
bingham was the first to break. MAY
ask, Miss Iownshend, 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, as she produced
from her handbag letter and photo.
graph and handed them to him, "these
are from you, I presume?''
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 I can't
identify, has been playing practical
joke on u.s."
Good gracious! Then you know
nothing about this advertisement ''
She handed him the cutting.
He read it, and looked up with a smile.
II am not responsible for this, assure
you.''
swell, 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 a failure, however, and
they both laughed.
Her thoughts at that moment were:
"What finely-made, handsome man he
is. gentleman, evidently. He has
turned 30, though"
On the other hand, he was at a 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 a more formal character"
He took her hand. It 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 awkward]y,
adding, with sudden and curious de-
sire to know more of the lady, II dom
feel disposed. to let the matter drop. l
must try and find the perpetrator of this
hoax, and demand an apology"
"Pray, don't trouble on my account ~
was the response; 'as told you. was
not in earnest myself"
He bowed and raised his hat, at the
same time making last desperate eff
fort to retain the acquaintanceship. II
take it, then, you have no further in
terest in the matter?"
She hesitated a moment, and looked at
her boot. 1t was trifing action, but it
emboldened him to add:
"Otherwise I-should ask permission,
in case I do make any discovery, to drop
line or communicate with you. l still
have your address, you know"
Again she looked at him, and instinct
convinced her that he was gentleman.
She answered.:
''Pray do what you think fit, Mr..
Pellfngham, and now, good night,
again"
Good night, Miss Townshend, and
thank you"