Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-10-17
Hillyard smiled.


really no occasion to reply" she has
tened to add.
Hillyard made careful note of the
address.
The account was settled. AS they
quilted the shop the manager bowed
and smiled in a manner that battles
description.
May see you to your door,"
asked Hillyard.
mo, l would rather you did not.
thank you
''Then l insist on seeing you into a
cab
mo, l really"
Come, | insist"
And before she could make further
remonstrance he had hailed a han
som. He put her inside ard handed
the man two shillings.
81 have paid your fare. Where to?"
81 will tell the cabman, thank you"
Certainly" be said rather coldly.
''If that is your wish" He raised his
hat. Good night"
THANK you, oh, so much for your
goodness. Good night
In another moment he had gone.
"Hillyard, congratulate me- cried
Fairleigh, g handsome young fellow
overlooking with good spirits, hurry
ing into his friends comfortable cham
bers. I'm engaged
81 do congratulate you most hearth
ly," returned Hillyard, warmly. "Who
is the unfortunate lady?" he inquired
smiling.
"a Miss Cunningham, whom l met
best girl in the world, l assure you"
"They are always that" answered
Hillyard, quietly.
"Oh, you needn't be SO beastly sar
castle" put in Fairleigh, 'just be-
cause you've never been in love-"
How do you know that?" asked
Hillyard.
Because you are not ladys man
at ALL"
mo, perhaps not" said Hillyard.
He was thinking of the girl whom
he had met at the restaurant. Had
he made such a bad impression on
her? He knew she had made a great
impression on him. In short, he had
fallen in love at first sight.
Here, let me show you her por
trait" ratified on Fairieigh, taking
a small photo from his letter case.
There, isn't that a sweet face2"
Very" declared Hillyard, but with
touch of bitterness, for he realized
that all the sunshine had gone out
of his life, for the face he gazed at
was the face of the girl whom he had
befriended.
1T is just like my ill-luck," he NUT
tered.
What's that?" asked Fairleigh,
sharply.
Nothing, nothing. l hope you will
be very happy"
I'm sure we shall. Ta-ta, old man,
must be off now. I'll look in again
soon"
mo wonder she gave the name of
Delling," unused Hillyard bitterly.
He extracted q postal order from
his pocket for one and five and a short
note, which ran:
with Miss Delling's sincere
thanks"
Perhaps" he thought, 81 ought to
tell young Fairleigh. But no: it
would compromise the young lady
Better leave it as it is. may be
wrong"
Then he settled down to write an
article, and by the time he had posted
it to his typist it was o'clock. so he
went to the restaurant where he had
met Miss Dclling."
Needless to say, he ate his meal in
isolation.
Three months passed away. Hill
yard was unable to find any trace of
Miss Delling," though lie had visit
ed Malley's library many times. Fair
leigh had gone to the country pending
his coming marriage. Hillyard still
kept mis- secret.
1t was strange fate that one day
led him to visit his typists to call for
manuscript which he especially
wished for. But when Miss Delling
came forward in answer to his inquiry
Hillyard was completely taken aback
You have certainly succeeded ad-
mirably in keeping out of my way"
he stammered. ALLOW me to con-
graduate you on your engagement TO
my friend Fairleigh, Miss Cunning
ham,"
The girl was visibly agitated.
How did you find out my name
was Cunningham, and who told you
was engaged?"
MY friend showed me your por-
trait"
There is some mistake" she whis-
pered. nurriedly. Years ago my ia
ther left America for England, taking
with him my twin sister. leaving me
with my mother in America. My fa-
ther died, arc shortly after, my moth
er. My name is Cunningham and |
fave been trying for months to find