Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-14

two conspirators waited with throbbing
hearts for the result OF their adventure
1t came in due time and there was no
denying that Mr. Fem wrote ike a gen.
tlennan whatever he might be In person.
and a second letter was dispatched to
him.
Thus matters proceeded until the time
came when Mr.. Fem announced that he
would appear in person. and the girls
were In a futter OF emotional excitement.
There were revelations to be made that
they had their doubts about; and just how
they were to adjust Miss Crandalps name
to the person of Alice, or now they were
to arrange that Alice was TO appear In re-
Spouse to the call of the stranger for Miss
Crandall,i was a study TO which they de-
voted themselves assiduously without
reaching any very clear conclusion even
up to the day Of Mr.. Fenn's arrival. How
ever, Alice was there to meet him when
he came to Florence's home, and although
she was very nervous and would have run
away If she dared, she took courage and
passed through the ordeal with flying col
ors. Mr. Fem was not only delightful,
but delighted. and they chatted away at
such rate that Alice entirely, forgot
Florence, who was impatieatly waiting
upstairs to be called in as Miss Crandalrs
best friend.
Really. Mr.. Fem" she. exclaimed az
forgotten in the renewal of our acquaint-
ance that have very dear friend in
the house who knows Of our little romance
and who is quite anxious to meet you.
Excuse me for a moment till go get
her.
Mr.. Fem. for the first time showed
signs OF uneasiness.
'If you will pardon me, Miss Crandall,''
he said with an effort II viii detain you
long enough to make an explanation
This made Alice nervous. but she nodded
for him to proceed.
II came here, as you know, he went
on, without knowing anything about you
except what j could guess from your let
tiers. That was good enough to make me
take any chances. and now that I have
seen you. beg your forgiveness for even
having had doubt. and want to tell you
that am not Mr.. Fem at all, but George
Gordon, Harry Fenn's step-brother. It
was his dress suit case had. and when
told him of the pretty girl had seen on
the train and whom wanted 10 find again
he told me to use his name as the sign OF
my search, and see If it would bring me
luck. hope have not erred beyond your
forgiveness, Miss Crandall?" he added, as
she stood before him quite dumbfounded
by this revelation. $500
"Oh, no-I-that is to say" she be-
gan to stammer.
Harry Is DOWN at the QOIel now,
broke in the young fellow, quite like a
boy, land he can verify my statement. He
said he would come along to look after
me in case of emergency. And, don't you
know, he's only a year older than am.
Isn't that a joker"
He laughed as IL he were not sure he
should or not, and Alice responded al
most Historically.
''Oh. Mr.. Fem, I mean Mr. Gordon" she
said after she had somewhat regained her
composure, II have an explanation to
make, too. 1 am not Florence Crandall.
and It was her dress suit case I had with
me that day. am Alice Keene."
The young man fairly roared at this
disclosure of fraud.
well" he exclaimed. what a pair OF !
deceivers we have been. haven't we7 Go
and bring Miss Crandall 50 we can con-
fess TO her"
But IT was not necessary TO bring Miss
Crandall. Grown weary with waiting. she
had ventured down into the hall 10 see
sight Of her.
Come in. Florence" she called. II
want to present Mr.. Gordon"
II thought" began Florence as she ]
came forward hesitatingly.
Eyes, and so did we think" laughed I
Alice. but none of US thought right and !
now let US all sit down and explain.
But must go get Harry" the strang- .
er insisted. He is part Of this now. I
and he almost ran out Of the house on his
brotherly errand.
Fifteen minutes later he returned with
the real Mr.. Fem. who was presented
to Florence Crandall. and Mr.. Gordorn
and and Miss Keene Immediately desig-
mated them as the guilty parties in a
clandestine correspondence and offered
proof Of their charges in divers and sum
dry letters bearing their respective sig
natures.
The accused did not know just how to-
take It at first. but when all four had
iined at the Crandall mansion that even
ing and had taken a boat ride on the lake
in the light OF an October moon, they con-
cluded to offer no defense, AS for Cord
on and Alice. they had made up their
minds from the very beginning.
Six months later there was a double
weL--ng at the church IN Midwife and
a grand reception at the Crandall man
sion afterwards. There were four dress
suit cases I'm the lot Of wedding luggage
at the railway station. and two OF them
were unmarked.