The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-11

la1Q at long table at Cl6 I8rCner emu,
exactly opposite those occupied by the
American ladies with whom had taken
tea.
From where sat it was quite impos-
sible for me to see all over the room,
and in consequence l could not tell
whether Allie was present or not. AS
soon, however, as the meal was over
rose, and before walking out looked
about me, Some of the residents were
still dining, and at the end of the mid
die table, farthest from me, were, with
out doubt, the two ladies whom had
seen arrive. At the distance was from
them it was quite impossible to tell who
they were, but from the poise Of her
head and the shape Of her beautiful
arms and shoulders felt convinced that
the taller of the two was the woman !
loved and whom had all the afternoon
been so anaiously expecting.
Seeing, however, that it was just pos
sible I might be mistaken and remem
bering the instruction Allie had given
me to let our meeting appear accidental,
] could not walk down the length of the
room and accost her, SOL betook myself
into the marble portico and waited for
them to come out But as it happened
Miss Sanderson and her friend were the
first to emerge, and the voluble young
American took me by storm at once.
From what she told me gathered two
things - first, that hitherto she had
found her evenings dull and, second,
Al Al. L..
was to be an open air concert on the
kings plain, distant about a mile from
the hotel. She and her friend had in
tended going, if they could find an es-
cort, and there and then she asked me
if would officiate in that capacity. I
did not know what to say. They were
women, and could not be rude, and,
moreover, as they had evidently set their
hearts upon going and was not posi-
lively certain that Allie had arrived /
felt had no right to decline the honor
of escorting them. Accordingly / as
sented and went across the garden to
get my hat. Five minutes later they
met me at the gates, and we strolled
down the road together toward the
plain.
There are few prettier places in the
world than Batavia, and have met
with few handsomer girls than the dis
tinguished looking American by my
side, but for all that was not content
ed with my lot. ] wanted to be back in
the veranda at the hotel watching for
Allie gS
Leaving handsome street behind US,
we passed on to the plain, where large
crowd Of people were promenading to
the strains Of military band. At any
other time the music would have been
inspiriting, but in the humor I was in
the gayest marches sounded like funeral
dirges. For over an hour we continued
to promenade, until began really to
think that / should have to ask my
friends to accompany me home or re-
! main where they were without me. But
at last The concert came to an end, and
we once more turned our faces in the
i direction of our hotel.
"You have been very quiet this even
, ing,'' said Miss Sanderson to me as we
left the turf and stepped on to the road
again.
81 hope my being SO has not spoilt
your enjoyment, said, trying to beg
the question.
"Oh, dear, mol" Then as if something
had suddenly struck her: "Do you ex-
pect to see any one in Batavia? l have
noticed that you scan every lady we pass
as if you were on the lookout for an ac-
quaintance.
Il did expect to see some one, l must
confess, - answered. "You have sharp
eyes, Miss Sanderson. :"
"They have been trained in sharp
school" was her brief reply.
By this time we were. within five
minutes walk of home and in the act
Of crossing one of the numerous bridges
that in Dutch fashion grace Batavia Is
streets. We paused for few moments
and leaned over the parapet to look
down at the star spangled water oozing
its silent way toward the sea. 1t was
all very quiet, and as far as we could
see we had the street to ourselves. Sud
denly Miss Sanderson dropped her
American accent and said in quite diff.
ferent voice:
"Dr. De Normanville, this has gone
far enough. Do you know me now?"
1t was Allie.
To say that I was taken by surprise
would not be to express my condition al
all. Twas simply overwhelmed with as.
constituent, and for some seconds could
only stand and stare at her in complete
amazement Her disguise was SO per.
! feet, her American accent SO real, hel
acting had been SO wonderfully main,
tanned, that never for an instant sus
pected the trick she had been playing
upon me.
You, Alie!'' cried when at last
found my voice. "Is it possible thai
Miss Sanderson has been a myth all the
timer"
Not only quite possible. butt fact
she answered, with laugh. eyes,
am Allie, and no more Miss Sandersor
Of New York than you are. Do me the
Justice to- remember warned you was
good at Disgusting myself. My reason
for not revealing my identity to you be-
n