The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-11-22

slble; l was finishing my picture. Yes,
its sold and the papers have been
awfully kind to me-"
II don't think we can come to sup
per-" began Jertha feebly. 'You see,
Oracle, your-your fiat is so far from our
hotel, and
"Ah, that's unkind," said Oracle, fixing
her beautiful eyes on the Herr Gemahl.
Il wish | spoke German, but l can't
only just a few words, or else
Il know English" interposed John
Marais desperately.
''Jertha told me you didn't know
word" answered Oracle, laughing. "You
have an excellent accent and have learned
very quickly. suppose" she added,
with a slight smile. "Jertha taught you?"
Again John looked at the bride and.
Gracie's attention at that moment being
taken off them. he spoke to Jertha hur-
riedly, but emphatically:
"Iou must explain the situation" he
said. Your friend takes me for your
husband. Pray. tell her that
"Oh," whimpered the bride disconso-
lately, "she will think it so silly Pray,
do not deceive her. What does it matter
to you? You will never see her again.
and-when | can have my Fritz then |
can explain, but not now. And you will
never see her again"
This harping on the one string distinctly
irritated MaraiS. and he was about to re-
tort when Oracle joined them.
Il must leave you, then" she said
unless you will take me part of my way
in your droschke. .Icrtha and were such
friends she turned to Marais-"that
you will excuse my breaking in on your
honeymoon. Eou see, am sailing for In
dia very soon. and goodness knows when
We shall meet again"
81 am only too pleased" said Marais.
with truth. He sat opposite the two girls
and contrasted in his mind the delicate,
high bred grace of the one with the
plump, laXen haired prcttiness of the
other. He noticed that Oracle did most
of the talking. Jertha was obviously i'll
at ease, and once Maras detected the
English girl gazing ut him thoughtfully.
and he read her gances Alright
"She thinks am not kind to the little
thing he said to himself. Dear me.
this is a nice situation to he in"
When the droschEe stopped for Oracle
to alight, Marais suddenly sprang out
and stood ready to assist her
She gave him her hand. and as for an
instant they stood side by side on the
pavement she spoke to him in low
voice.
"You have won a treasure" she said
wistfully. II hope you will appreciate
it."
Marais only pressed her hand. but said
nothing, and Oracle walked away. not sat
isfied with the future that lay before her
friend.
"You have been most good to me" said
the little bride when John deposited her
at the hotel. IN my husbands name. as
well as mine, thank you"
You will let me know how the thing
stands. You will write to her?" said
John eagerly
"ro Oracle? Oh, it does not matter"
replied Jertha comfortably. "You see,
she is going to India almost at once"
Commend me to a newly married wo-
man for utter selfshness," muttered Ma
rails as she walked away. 81 wonder
shall Oracle AID ever meet a@ain?"
Fate answered that question some
months later.
John had spent the time in India. scour-
ing the country in feverish fashion. hunt
ing for the woman he knew but as
"Gracie"
Ills efforts were unsuccessful. and he
returned home in disgust On the second
day after his arrival in town he met her
in kcnsington gardens.
Instantly she came up to him with out
stretched friendly hand and he realized
that the abominable little bride had not
enlightened her.
And what are you doing in London 2"
she asked, "and-and where is Jprtha?"
Marais lost his temper. but kept a firm
hold of the slender fingers Oracle tried to
release.
IL don't know" he said "and don't
care and never saw her but that once
IN my life, and He plunged into the
story. Oracle listened with mingled as
tonishment and amusement
you might have told me-" she said
reproachfully. 1T was unkind to take
me in"
Marais confessed his fault only too
happy to be gently chided by this will
o the wisp that he had persistentlv
chased. The walk-prolonged for three
delicious hours in the gardens-was ever.
more one of Marais' most blissful reco-
lectons.
And so you know India" said Oracle.
We spent most of my life there. Did
you go for tiger hunting or
No" said Marais boldly, and he
caught her hands in his. Il went to hunt
for you"
"Ach." observed Fritz to his wife some
weeks later, 'it is a romance. the mar
riage of your friend And TO us they can
grateful be. Is it not so. little wifc?"
And little wife," after the fashion Of
the Ieutonic woman, agreed.-Traveler