The record-union., 1898-02-27
CASEOFM MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
(written FOR the Record Union by
Beselena.)

CHAPTER I.
Miss Harriet Hastings came slowly
down the farmhouse stairs, the long
after her. That the stairs are dusty
| and her gown a light one does not
seem to trouble her. Instead. her
| thoughts are far away in the city with
| Dick Jones. That Dick may be un-
worthy of these thoughts is gradually
| forcing itself upon her. She and Dick
| had arranged it several months pre-
| vious to the opening of our story that
| they would spend this, the first sum-
mer of their engagement, in this quiet
country retreat. away from prying eyes
and gossiping tongues. Dicks bust
ness had prevented him from getting
away with his fance, but he had prom
ised to join her before the end of the
| second week. That was four weeks
ago to-day, Miss Hastings reflects, and
not a word has she had from the alb
sent one in all that time. That is
why perplexed frown which certainly
| doesn't belong there. rests upon her
smooth brow this bright June morning.
Reaching the bottom step she turns
to the left and opens door at the
end of a passage which leads into the
dlning-room. Here she pauses, blink
ing On the threshold, for the blinds are
closely drawn, leaving the room in a
sort of hazy twilight. Apparently the
room is deserted, but as her eyes grow
accustomed to the light she sees, stand
! ing near the window, with his back
to the light, man. Miss Hastings is
| young woman who acts first and
thinks afterwards. Upon seeing the
man she gives an inaudible little gasp,
a noiseless rush, and the next moment
has her two hands over his eyes. BY
a quick movement he turns and re-
leases himself and stands looking down
upon her.
He is tall, fair man, with good
humored face and kindly blue eyes in
which there now rests a distinct look
of inquiry. A long pause ensues, which
the man is the first to break.
| Welt" he says in tone of intense
surprise.
| Well" repeats Miss Hastings. some
| what impatiently; 80 you've conde-
scended to come at last, have your
so it would SEEM says the man,
still looking at her.
You might at least say you are glad
to see me-" she pouts, instead of
staring at me as though you had never
| seen me before. You haven't even Of
fered to kiss me, either.'
| The man hesitates. "Oh, you needn't
if you don't want to-" she says resent
fully; I'm sure shant miss it"
"On the WHOLE" the man tells her
presently, Il think will"
| He overcomes her feeble resistance
and kisses her full on the mouth
why didn't you write and let me
know the cause of your delay?" she
asks some time later.
To this seemingly innocent question
the man grows visibly embarrassed.
The girl stamps her slippered foot i'm
patiently. Are you afraid to tell me
that your aunt wouldn't let you?" she
asks.
My aunt?"-
There, don't be stupid Haven't you
told me dozens of times since our en-
gagement of that rich old dragon OF
an aunt of yours who threatens to cut
you out of her will if you marry dur
ing her lifetime? l think it very un-
reasonable of her to act so just be-
cause she was disappointed in her owr
love affair. l don't think it a bit
nice of her obliging us to keep our en-
gaeement a secret When you didn't
come at the end of the second week
as you promised, what else could I think
but that she had kept you from me?
Come, now. confess; wasn't l right?"
Yes, you are right; she is a very
unreasonable old lady," agrees Dick
wiping his perspiring brow.
| well I'll FORGIVE vo,, tb;s. +;,,,o ,r, -
tells him, giving him playful tap with
her jeweled fingers; .only don't let il
happen again.
The next moment she announces that
she is desperately hungry. Il know
it's awfully late" she tells him as she
takes her place at the deserted break
fast table and allows her eyes to wan
der for moment to the huge old
| fashioned clock ticking away monoton-
ously on an equally old-fashoned side
board. DO you know" she proceeds
confidentialy. as she unfolds her nap
| Kin, If L were not afraid of shocking
good old Mrs. Robinson I'd like nothing
better than to sleep for a week. This
is such a peaceful spot, that as lie
half awake in the mornings listening to
the song of the birds. the drowsy hum
find myself drifting, drifting, until the
nrst thing | know I'm off in the land
of nod again, but it shall be different
now that you are here"
| She smiles at him across the table
where he has seated himself opposite
| her. and without more ado falls upon
her breakfast with the healthy, hearty
| appetite of youth.
You know I never fiatter you, Dick"
she says, as she buffers her toast. but
! just can't help telling you that the
four weeks we've been separated seem
to me like four ages she takes a dainty
circular bite from the toast and waits
for Dick to speak
| That young man, for some unaccount-
able reason, seems unusually backward
and distract. Yes, yes" he SAYS pre-
sently pulling himself together with a
visible effort lit has been a long time,
hasn't it. l believe" he says. leaning
both elbows on the table and looking
straight into Miss Hastings eyes, that
we must have met somewhere in another
lcycle. / never put much faith in the oc-
cult before / met you. but it does seem
strange now, doesn't it, that directly we
meet we should recognize each other?
It's quite wonderful this transmission
OF soul. of thought of-of--" he wan
ders off helplessly. aimlessly.
There that will do" she says in her
severest tones. don't be silly, Dick, it
isn't becoming" She has finished her
breakfast and now rises from the table.
Wait here until / return. I'm going up
lstairs TO change my dress. I'm going in
to the village to do some shopping and
shall want you to carry my bundles for
me-"