The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-09-07
i. y I NJ X !
! A Double CheCkTndte ]

J. n Double CheCkT0d[G. !
s::. \ !: \ y i: !. x
They had met in the usual way. NIu-
tual friends had introduced them at an
afternoon studio reception, and the few
words exchanged over their cups Of tea
did not make as much of an impression
| upon either Jack Carruthers or Elsa
Charlplin as might have been expected.
He had just returned from three years.
tour OF Europe, after completing course
at Harvard college, while she had been
abroad with her aunt ever since gradual
ing from Wellesley, over two years be-
fore.
They met again at the seashore.
Both felt the beauty of the night as
the soft waves of the ocean could be
heard, musical in the rhythm, and us the
4 capricious moon, for which so many bro
ken hearts are held responsible. sailed out
from the depths of friendly cloud, re-
vealing the beauty of his companions
face and figure.
do you know this is our last evening,
Miss Elsa" he said-''that is, for some
time to Gomez"
Yes" was her low reply. II was
thinking of that myself, but trust you
will give aunt and myself the pleasure Of
q call soon after our return to New York
this winter"
Jacks heart beat rapidly.
May ! ask for something more than
that?" he stammered, stumbling over his
first proposal like youth of 16. May
have your promise to-
"Oh, you runaways We have been
looking for you everywhere and are wait
ing for Won 10 come and give us some
music" suddenly interrupted Miss Ven
derfelt, and. taking Jacks arm, while her
escort offered his to Elsa, they were both
| IN the drawing room before either real
Eed how it had been done, Jack mutter-
ing over the turn affairs had taken and
she wondering what he had meant to say,
| while her heart told her the story that
was upon his lips.
| In the morning, amid the goodbys, Jack
had only chance to say, Remember, l
| shall come and have question to ask
which concerns my whole future happi-
| ness, and in reply she had pulled rose
from her lovely bouquet and had given it
| to him, with blush and smile, while
her eyes Wore dreamy look of tender
| happiness Don't forget were his last
words, while she waved her handker-
chief, then buried her face in the roses
he had sent her as the carriage drove
rapidly away toward the station.
The coming month. September, found
Jack summoned to Paris by the death Of
his father, and as his mother had died
when he was but child, and he had nei-
ther brother nor sister. he found himself
heir to large and scattered property,
2.ost of it in English investments, as his
father had lived abroad for over ten
years. Nearly year passed before he
could complete the transaction of all nec-
essary buslnt IS, and in the meantime he
mad been hunting up old friends and
thinking less and less of home, although
two long letters had, soon after his arri,
al, found their way across the Atlantic,
but, much to his chagrin and disappoint-
ment, remained unanswered for several
months, and then found their way back
to him marked Address unknown" This
was indeed a shock to his bright dreams
of future happiness. when he should be
able to return and put his fate to the test.
Nothing remained now but to make the
final arrangements with his agents re-
garding the management of his business
and then return to New York. where he
would lose no time in finding her address
and seeing her.
Had he only known that the object of
his affections was so near him, for she
had been for several months at the Ger
man baths with her aunt, who was be-
coming more and more of an invalid. and
with whom Elsa had lived since losing
both parents when she was but child.
Five years had swiftly passed, and
Jack was again in New York and,
strange to say, again the guest of the art
list friend who had first introduced him to
Elsa. As h. strolled about among the
guests he could not help looking for that
face, which came back so wildly today
amid the old and familiar surroundings,
and turned suddenly to hear a voice say:
"Why, Mr.. Carruthers, how strange
we should meet again after so long a.
time, and here of all places! Are you not
going to remember me?"
1t was Elsa, changed, but only as the
bud blossoms into the rose of more ma
ture beauty. She had the same laughing
eyes, the same bewitching smile and the
same air of good breeding. Life was in
deed changed to them both, and each re-
allied that the broken threads could not
be resumed as might have been thought.
why, Miss Champlin, you do not give
me chance to express the pleasure
feel at this renewal of our old friend
ship. ] really had begun to think you
were not among the living, as both my
letters We're returned to me. and failed
completely to find your address,"
"Of course. for ! never received them.
Aunt and | went abroad that winter,
Travelled sev-ral months. then located in
Germany, where we remained until her
death. two years later. Our constant
changes of residence at first made it al
most impossible for friends to locate u.s.
AS they moved along chatting on va
rious topics, the new pictures, the latest
books and mutual friends of the past,
Jack spied, following in the train of fa-
miliar face ind coming directly toward
them, distinguished looking man, evil
IDENTIFY, by the attention he was receiving,
one of the lions of the afternoon. Here
is celebrity, said Jack, looking toward
the gentleman in question. HE is the
most distinguished looking man here, it
seems to me-"
"Do you think. SOP" said Elsa, with
smile of pride and pleasure. HE is my
husband, and want you to know him.
Bur who is the handsome woman with