The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1898-03-30
A month had elapsed.

III.
A month had elapsed.
In the interim Pellingham's endeav-
ors to discover the humorous advertiser,
as he facetiously termed him, were so
far without result. His motive, how
ever, in still keeping his eyes open was
not, as at first, to thrash the fellow on
the lady's account, but to thank him,
on his own, for having brought him into
relationship with the dearest and pref
test girl in the world. Which proves,
in short, that Pellingham had not been
at all idle.
Neither had Tom Drummer, in another
connection. In fact, the month had
been SO big with other events for this
individual that he had as good as for
gotten the incident of the advertise
ment. He was just landing home from
the continent, having in the meantime
done SO well for the firm he represented
that his business position was already
double its former Importance, and the
future was full of bright prospects.
In the meantime, also, among strange
faces in strange lands, he had missed
very keenly the society of his ideal,
Nellie Marsh; and the many pleasant
recollections he INDUCED 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 a voice
behind him said tom! Wherever
have you sprung from?"
He turned, and his heart gave leap
of delight. "Nelie! What fortunate
meeting!"
The surrounding commotion prevent
ed any display of sentiment. He man.
aged, however, to explain the cause of
hisabsence, and convey to her some idea
of his recent success; whereat she
looked at him proudly, and smiled with
all her cid kindness, as she said:
II can't tell you how delighted am,
Tom; but I'm net surprised to hear of
your getting on. You know I've al
ways believed in you.'
'Of course you have, Nellie" he re-
sponded; and he felt that the moment
WAS Tic udpDlSSl lIC udd CNC1 hho"h.
"But you are moi the only one with
story to tell" she added, smiling sig
nificantly.
Indeed? Out with it, them" he an
swered, lightly. "Your bus won't be
here for ten minutes"
well, once upon time-that is to
say, about a month ago-some person
or persons unknown put matrimonial
advertisement in daily paper"
He gave a start, and looked at her
sharply; but her eyes were wandering
for the moment, and she continued:
"Now, it happened that very intimate
friend of mine, named Miss Townshend,
answered the advertisement for the fun
of the thing, and gave the address of her
milliner, whom she took into her con-
fidence."
"Well?" he asked, prepared by this
time for further surprises.
"Well, what do you think, Tom? The
advertisement turned out to be huge
hoax; and instead of meeting the adj
vertiser, as arranged, the lady made the
acquaintance of a Mr.. Alfred Pelling-
ham,"
rockingham? fancy 1 know the
gentleman
'You see, he kept the appointment
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 wrong address.
I hope you follow me?"
"Of course 1 follow you. But, say,
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 smile,
81 think / can guess the sequel. Your
lady friend and Mr.. Pellingham fell
desperately in love at the first meet
in, and have met several times since;
with the result that they are now en-
gagged to be married."
"They are married."
Really! that is a romance. I sup
pose, Nellie, you were the principal
bridesmaids"
ooh, no, Tom"
"No? By the way, this Miss Towns
bend that was, who is she?"
''She is my most intimate friend"
He looked up with a puzzled express
sion. II ought to know the lady,
"It's your own fault if you don't; for
you've been friendly with her all your
life"
His eyes widened. 'Really, Nellie,
| don't understand"
ooh, Tom," she exclaimed, with hui
morous petulence, "how very stupid
you are! Miss Townshend never exist
cd. She's a myth. Don't you see, that
was the name that l assumed when I
answered that advertisement?
"You?" he gasped.
eyes, /, Tom," she replied; adding
some words of friendly parting, which
were a vague recollection by the time.