The Press., 1902-05-08

"Oh, like 1t here. / was born here
I'm $50 big and overgrown to be com
Portable In city. need room.
like the country. It's what I'm fittei
for. But / suppose it does seem like
being buried to you. Most northern
people feel that way. know Bot
does. He's too clever for my kind OIL
life. What makes you laugh. Pris
ella p
"Oh," said the girl, idly tracing witt
one finger the name on the polished
old brass doorplate, "the point of .
joke heard last week has just occur
red to me. Do you know" and she re
garded him critically. you are a mos
remarkable person? One moment yot
remind me of plate glass window
and the next you're like-armor plate
Did anybody ever tell you that abou
yourself before?"
"No," said Seymour, land l dom
know the least bit what You meaa."
Priscilla was studying the doorplatt
with interest.
"What funny old letters" she said
".John A. Seymour'-your name ane
your fathers and your grandfather's
He was my step-great-grandfather
wasn't he? 1t doesn't make us really
kin at all. What does the "A stanG
forT'
"Ainsworth," answered Seymour.
"Ohv' said Priscilla. 81 thought
And she hesitated. faint flush warm
ing the magnolia pallor of her face.
"What did you think it stood for?'
he asked.
Something besides mischief shone il
the girls eyes.
81 thought" she said slowly
thought possibly it might stand fol
Alden"
"Oh, nor said Seymour. "It stands
for Ainsworth.'
It was Tuesday evening. Seymour
stood on the platform Of the railway
station watching the lights Of the
northbound train fade into the dusk
The air seemed to echo with goodbys
He could almost hear Priscilla say
ing:
''We'll cable you as soon as we land
I'll send the code from New York
I'm-I'm so glad know what that "A
In your name stands for"
Seymour seemed still to hear the
laugh with which she flung the speech
at him. What on earth did she mean
That "a" in his name-she had Spoken
of it once before-said it might bt
"Alden"-when he was talking abou
Bob. What did
"Priscillav he shouted, suddenly en-
lightened. "By all that's wonderful
That "A ought to stand for ASST"
He would have preferred to tele
graph, to follow her on the next train
but reflection convinced him Of the un
wisdom of such a course. A lettel
could not reach her before she lief
New York. He must send it to her IL
Paris.
Three interminable weeks dragged
by. Then one morning all the worlt
seemed suddenly darkened with he
reply. 1t was brief
"Affianced, st. Louis"
"I'm back again." Fillmore was say
ing, but you don't look overjoyed t
see me-
II thought you were in Paris with
Priscilla and her mother" said Sey
mour. 81 congratulate you."
"On not being in Parish" asked Ell
more
ION your engagement"
"I'm not engaged" said Fillmore
"You were awful1y good about it, oil,
fellow, but she wouldn't have me. Sh
cares for somebody else. Have 20,
heard from her? She told me to Civ,
you this cable codex, but I-well,
wasn't thinking of you just then, an.
forgot to send it."
''She cabled she was engaged t,
you," protested Seymour. 81 dom
know why you want to deny it. Here
her message. You couldn't expect he
to write your name, could you? Sh
says st. LOUIS and you're the onl,
st. Louis man she knows
Gilmore read the message. Then b.
compared it with column in the cabl
| code.
"Jack," he said, you're the best fel
low on earth, but you're no end Of
fool. It's you Priscilla cares for, 20,
blockhead, and 'Affianced' means-her
it is in the steamer company's code
Have started for home and will sal
| on the st. Louis. If you have luck
you can just about get to New York il
| time to meet her,
Priscilla" said Seymour more thar
week later, what made you say
reminded you of armor plate?"
Priscilla laughed happily.
''Did 1 say that?' she asked. "Well
take it back. 1t wasn't good simile
There are denser things than ever
armor plate. Now, see how you'y,
| tousled nv hair!" |