Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-01-26
) pretty girl; yet who is Alice Towns.

ton on the letief. In the emu cNfiosit.
ascided that lie must at least keep tn
appoin tment if he ever hoped to solv,
the problem.
Accordingly, at the time and place
referred to, he found himself anXiousl1
awaiting the appearance Of the mys
FERROUS stranger, who was growing al
the more mysterious in not being pres.
rnt. Five, ten, fifteen minutes passed
and yet nobody appeared answering to
the description; and be was about TO
quit the place, under the impression
that some fool had been playing hoax
on him, when-"I beg your pardonl
was uttered by himself and another, al
most in the one breath.
The lady he had 5obbed 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. | presume2''
The lady paused, and turned pale;
then blushing violently, spoke like
thief caught in the act.
'Mr. Pellingham, believer
That Is my name, = replied that gen
tleman,
"I-reaIly | had no notion of keeping
this appointment. | took the whole
thing as a Jest"
Yet you have kept it?" said the for,
mer, smiling.
In sense, yes. I'm afraid | l1ust
plead guilty 70 curiosity at the last
moment"
Mine is a similar confession"
IN embarrassing silence followed
this double admission, which Mr.. Pei
lingham was the first TO break. MAY
| ask, Miss 1ownshend, how yon be-
came acquainted with me. and why You
made this appointmcnt?''
At this direct challenge the ladys
eyes Widened with establishment. You
ure the Mr. Pellingham that wrote Il
ae, are you not2' she asked.
II was his turn to look astonished. /
Wrote toyou," he repeated. Certain
ii not. don't understand I'm afraid /
there is some mistake" /
4 sudden glance of suspicion greeted
this remark. but was quickly dispelled 1
BY his air of candid bewilderment /
Pardon me" she said, as she produced
rom her handbag a letter and photo.
sraph and handed them to him, ''these
ire from you, presume?"
lie examined both, and began to
cent the truth. The photo is mine"
ie replied, but not the letter. xvi
lently some misehievous acquaintance
# mine, whose handwriting | can't
IDENTIFY, has been playing a practical
oke on US"
Good graciousl Then you know
lothing about this advertisement p
.he handed him the cutting.
He read it, and looked up with a smile
| am not responsible for this. assure
on"
Well, what stupid iesti"
Il quite agree with you"
There was pause. each looked at the
Their and tried toappear very much an. ]
Dyed. 1t was failure, however. and
hey both laughed. II
Her thoughts at that moment were. I
What finely-made, handsome man he
. 4 gentleman, evidently. He has :
armed 30, though"
On the other hand. he was at a lasl
} decide whether her most captivating
sature was the charm of her voice her
refinement. or the y
eauty of her face; but he gave up the y
merry as one unaceustomed to snch rid. =
les. =
ALLOW me TO return your photo" O
he said. !
"And !, yours" he answered. 4
The exchange was effected with mn. a
ial apologies; which latter. of course
ere unnecessary, but they served TO q
'olong the interview. The lady was 4
Re first 10 make move. Good night. q
r. Pellingham," she said, extending o
r hand, 81 regret our introduction :,
as not of a more formal character. In
He took her hand. II was dainty and :
,atly gloved. and in the novelty Of his D
nsatiOus he could barely refrain from r
essing H. Good night, Miss Towns q
nd" he replied. rather awlxwarlly. e.
ding, with a sudden and curious de- 81
re 10 know more Of the lady, 81 don't
FL disposed 10 let the matter drop. I "
ust try and find the perpetrator Of this Il
'ax' and demand an apology" Il
Pray, don't trouble on my account" W
~ the response. 'as told you. was I.
u In earnest myself" s,
lie bowed and raised his hat. al the 81
me time making a last desperate ef Ii
n to retain the ncqunintanceship II b.
kc ", then, you have no further In II
rest In the matterGr a
she hceitsted moment. and looked AT m
r boon II was a triaing action. but It pl
lboldeneC him 20 ndd. hi
OTHERWISE ] should ask permission 81
ease do make any discovery. to lron n
Inc OF communicate with you. stin ca
We your address. you know y
Again she looked al him. and iBsiinci W
nvineed Der that he was a gentleman RI
e answered:
Pray do what you think Fit, Mr.
bingham, and now. good night