The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-05-23
know the least bit what you meas."
Priscilla was studying the doorplate

knO" Tie least Ult WudL you Iuea9.
Priscilla was studying the doorplate
18th interest
"What funny old letters" she said
"John A. Seymour'-your name and
your fathers and your grandfather's.
He was my step-great-grandfath
wasn't he7 1t doesn't make us really
kin at all. What does the "A stand
forT'
"Ainsworth," answered Seymour.
"Ohy' said Priscilla ~ thought
And she hesitated, faint flush warm
ing the magnolia pallor of her face.
what did you think it stood for7"
he asked.
Something besides mischief shone In
the girls eyes.
II thought" she said slowly-"I
hought possibly 1t might stand for
ALDEN"
"oh, nor said Seymour. ct stands
for Ainsworth-"
1t 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,
Wen 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
That "a" in his name-she had spoken
Of 1t once before-said 1t might be
"Alden"-when he was talking about
Bob. What did
priscilla" he shouted, suddenly en-
nghtened. 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 letter
could not reach her before she left
New York. He must send 1t to her In
Paris.
Three interminable weeks dragged
by. Then one morning all the world
seemed suddenly darkened with her
reply. 1t was brief.
"Affianced, st. Louis"
"I'm back again." Gilmore was say
ing, but you don't look overjoyed to
see me-"
II thought you were in Paris with
Priscilla and her mother" said Sey
mour. ~ congratulate you"
ION not being in Paris" asked ELL
more.
ION your engagement"
"I'm not engaged" said Fillmore.
you were Awfully good about It, old
fellow, but she wouldn't have me. She
cares for somebody else. Have you
heard from herr She told me to give
you this cable codex, but well,
wasn't thinking of you just then, and
forgot to send it."
"She cabled she was engaged to
you," protested Seymour. II don't
know why you want to deny 1t. Here
her message. You couldn't expect her
to write your name, could you? She
says st. Louis and you're the only
St Louis man she knows"
Fillmore read the message. Then he
compared it with column In the cable
code.
"Jack." he said, you're the best fei-
low on earth, but you're no end Of ii
fool. It's you Priscilla cares for. you
blockhead, and 'Affianced means-here
1t is in the steamer company's code
Have started for home and will sail
on the st. Louis. If you have luck,
you can just about get to New York in
time to meet her"
Priscilla" said Seymour more than
a week later, what made you say i
reminded you Of armor plate"
Priscilla laughed happily.
"Did say thatT she asked. "Well,
take 1t back. 1t wasn't a good simile.
There are denser things than even
armor plate. Now, see how you've
tousled my hairw