The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-12
Without Introduction

w lUllUub luGIUuuULlUll
II Harding had lot had twin brother
he would have been completely taken BY
surprise when the girl spoke to him in the
train. for he was sure ne had never met
her before; she was not the kind OF girl tc
be forgotten. But his striking resemblance
to his brother explained her mistake.
The girl was the only person in the car
rlage when Harding entered it.
She was OF medium height, fair, with
light hair. She had barely glanced at him
as he entered the train; she was buried
in new magazine While he was watch
ing her profile the girl turned suddenly,
caught his eye, and then impulsively turn
ed toward him, holding out her hand
How do you do?" she said cordially.
I'm delighted to meet friend, I've
been travelling for hours and I'm bored &c
death"
Harding greeted his twin brothers friend
WITH cordially equal to her own.
Wonder where Ted met herr" he
thought 81 wonder If it was at Buxton
or at the seashore? Oh, perhaps he's
waltzed with her, I wonder who on earth
she is?"
you might at least say you are glad to
see me-" continued the girl.
Harding lied cheerfully.
st was thinking OF you Jug. before the
train came in" he said, land wondering
when we should have such pure unalloyed
jollfty again as the day we spent together.
81 hi IN, NJ
and then she gave musical peal OF laugh
ter.
Indeed, yes" she said.
"And do you remember" the girl went
on, that lovely evening on the lake,"
Don't II" said Harding.
He was about to add n reminiscent re-
mark of safe and general character about
the dip OF the oars. when the girl added:
How clear and frosty the air was, and
how our skates SKINNED over the ice!"
Harding almost grasped at his narrow
escape. He decided to let the girl do her
own talking.
"And do you remember that evening en-
the veranda''-the girl lowered her voice
suggestively, when II was too dark to see
my eyes, and you declared they were blue,
though l almost persuaded you they were
hazel?"
How could forgetfr said Harding. with
a bold plunge. Blu you didn't almost
persuade me. l know your eyes too well"
And he gazed into them.
"If that is the case" said the girl, and
her voice frosted over suddenly, "how did
1t happen that you didsi't recognize me
when you get into the train. you looked
straight at me?''
MY unfortunate eyesl" stammered
Harding. cIutching desperately at the first
excuse that came. I'm so confoundedly
near sighted, you know. On my honor!'
Your explanation, though far from
original, does you credit" said the fair
haired girl stifiy. "but l can suggest a
better one. I'll make you present of it
You never saw me before. You do not
even know my name. You saw that had
mistaken you for some one l know. and
you were not honorable enough to unde-
celve me. l saw you were uncertain about
the lake, and | tested you on the veTanda
The veranda and the hazel eyes were pure
fiction on my part-and on yours.
She rose with dignity and moved to the
far end OF the carriage.
"Oh. Miss -i' Harding paused. foil
ed by the awkwardness Of not knowing
her name.
The girls face relaxed a little. She
struggled with smile. The smile won
the day, and then Harding went over and
took the seat beside her.
'I beg your pardon" he said humbly.
"and if you won't hear my explanation,
send me away. Evidently you took me for
your friend. Mr.. Harding. Well, I'm not
Harding. At least. I'm not your Harding"
I'm very sure you're not. said the girl,
hastily.
"I mean, Pm not the Harding you
thought. I'm not myself, you see; I'm my
brother"
Then who are you when you're not your
l5rother?" said the girl
Pm VIII Harding" he explained. land
the man you met before r3Ss my twin
brother Ted He's thu image OF me. and
people can't tell us apart-or together. for
that matter. This sort of thing is always
happening. We're both so used to 1t that
we nsver correct the impression-just live
up 20 the role"
You didn't deceive me-" said The girl.
81 knew when you began to talk that I'd
never met you before
Her eyes were trimming over with fun
'If haven't said enough" added Hard
ing, ct hereby offer my most humble apol-
ogIes."
They are accepted" said he girl
gravaly. But you don't deserve it,
81 know" said Harding humbly. Per
hsps this will be a lesson to me. You see,
/ never got into trouble before. We al
ways prime each other on important things
If we propose to a girl, for example. or
borrow a sovereign from a friend"
"Will you get that umbrella for me,
please?" asked the girl. hurriedly. This
is my station
Already" exclaimed Harding in dis
may. And you haven't even told me your
name,"
The girl colored until even her pretty
ears grew pink under the fluffy hair. You
might ask-Ted," she said, with a back
ward glance from the door.