The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-11

z X Il
Captain Lane, without needing the in
terruption. I'VE have only known each
otner SIX months. l met her first at my
godmothers. Lady Martyr, and think
we both fell in love with each other at
first sight. There, you have the whole
story"
Medcalf had Just returned from South
Africa, where he had held lucrative
appointment, being a junior partner in
large firm of engineers.
Have you succumbed during your
travels to the fascination of some fair
one, or do you still hold the sex in alb
horrance? asked the captain.
Scarcely that" replied Medca1f,
flushing dull red beneath his bronze.
But l have never came across my
ideal, except in picture"
"Ah, l always said you We're a ro-
mantle fellow, Notwithstanding your
boosted stoicism. / am curious to know
the story.
1T was three years ago-just before
I went abroad-one Sunday afternoon
in kensington gardens. | was with
Jack Dunmore-you remember him?
We had been sitting there some time
citicising the multitude, when Jack
left me to speak to an acquaintance he
recognized in the distance.
Just then my eye was caught by TIE
face OF girl passing. 1t was my ideal.
Neither fair nor dark. but with a happy
combination of the two. 1t was not
that she was strictly beautiful. but she
had fascination for me that l could
neither resist. nor can ] describe it.
Presently | saw Jack returning, and
at the same moment the girl arose. She
was with two others, ana as they moved
away something dropped out of her lap.
L fastened to pick it up. Her back was
turned, and, by some hastv impulse, |
slipped it in my pocket My treasure
proved to be a treasure indeed. for it
was the photograph of my darling. Yes.
it had come to that! ! think of her still
as that, though left England next day
and have been away three years.
Let me complete this tale" added
Captain Lane slyly. Your task is now
TO find the fair unknown and to lay
your heart and fortune at her feet.
Joking apart. old fellow, l fear you
will have difficulty in accomplishing
your object. But, talking about photo
graphs, let me show you Enid's.'
Captain Lane detached locket which
dangled at the end of his watch chain,
and opening it displayed the miniature
of his lady love- which he offered for
his friends inspection.
1t was well that Gerald Lane had not
a full view of the others face Just at
that moment, he having turned his
back half around in order to get bet
ter light on the portrait: for, as his eye
rested on it., Medcalf started violently
and turned CHASTITY pale-it was the
pictured face of his ideal, the fellow to
which even now lay next to his heart.
'.She is lovely he managed to STAN
mer, as, with a trembling hand he re-
turned the locket. And then he had to
listen patiently while the captain des-
canted on the many virtues of the orig
inal.
He declined. however. his urgently
pressed invitation to join his party at
the theater on the plea Of feeling tired
after his travels, and it was with relief
that he found himself at last in his
own room.
When a week later. however, Cap
tain Lane called to him to fulfill his
promise on the wedding day, the temp
ton of seeing, nay, more, of speak
ing to, the girl just once was too
much.
1t would be difficult to say which was
the more nervous, the bridegroom elect
or his best man, as they waited in the
church for the arrival of the bridal par
ty. Not once during the ceremony that
followed did Medcalf glance at the
bride, though his pulses We're thrilling
at the sound of the sweet, clear voice
that made the responses which bound
her to Captain Lane.
1t was in the vestry. after the sigma
lures had been duly entered in the reg
lister, that some one whispered In his
ear: yr
Come old fellow. don't you know
your duty? Kiss the bride"
Then he raised his eyes. which rested
for one brief moment on his ideal! The
next moment he had gravely bent and
pressed his lips on the cheek of the
dainty vision beside him.
There was general litter as the girl
gave vent to a little exclamation of dis
mayed surprise.
THE bride, man! That's not the
bride.'
Then, for the first time Medcalf
looked about, and his wandering gaze
fell on the apparition of the bride
In puzzled wonderment he turned
once more to his neighbor-she and the
bride were alike as two peas. Which
was his ideal? Well, it matered not,
since one was free!
1t was not until years after, when
Charlie found the COURAGE to tell his
wife the story of that purloined photo.
that he discovered that he had married
his ideal after all, and not her twin sis
ter.-EX.
Lemon baths are popular in the West