The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-11-13

III I had never seen you" said he
your story would seem less improbable"
She did not understand what he meant
and frankly told him so. Abbott was
frightened. He had not tact enough to
evade an explanation. and he was afraid
to make one. This pretty game OF hearts
was new to him. and IL made him nery-
| Gus. yet he felt incapable OF stopping As
| a beginner with the bicycle when he sees
that his inexpertness has brought him
| into peril is seized with a frantic impulse
to pedal faster and faster. so Abbott
plunged straight ahead. though absurd
| disaster loomed plainly In his path.
Having seen your face. said he 81
could never believe In the adventure of
| the hero OF your story. Do you fancy
| that by sunlight or moonlight | could fan
| to recognize'-
Really. Mr.. Abbott don't you think
that our friendly partnership Is getting
| along almost too weli7'' she asked .'Of
| course 1 perceive that you are speaking
| merely by way OF illustrat ton. but ~ MIR
| Hiyard should hear you or my sister
there might be some slight misunder-
| standing"
Your sister7' echoed Abbott.
| Yes" said Miss Leigh. she has just
| come in. ] hear her in the hall. Mr. Hill
yard and I have been waiting for her"
At this moment a young lady appeared
| In the doorway.
| "why. Mr. Abbott" she exclaimed.
You can't have received my note al
| ready"
| Abbott had arisen and was standing
1 with one hand upon the back of his chair
4 for support and the other pressed against
i his forehead.
| Your noteg" he repeated mechanically.
| "I mailed It this afternoon" said the
i girl advancing into the room. but
| didn't suppose that you would get Il be-
| fore tomorrow. However. ! IN just as
glad to see you. though my aIniable plan
| for your amusement has been spoiled"
| "No. II hasn't. begging your pardon.
Kate" said Hilyard. "It has worked to
| q charm"
"You don't mean to say
yes. I do" said Hilyard. He has been
talking to Milie for an hour under the
| impression that she was you"
| "I-I-really. this Is very remarkable" !"
stammered Abbott Il wonder that you
| didn't mention to me-
THAT l had a twin sister7 I came very
| near II that day In your ofiice. And tfyn-
well. III confess that didn't like II be-
| cause you seemed TO think that I was
| -er-exe operating when I said that
| knew two sisters who were much alike
as the two In my story. So I resolved to
play a trick upon you. Mr.. Hilyard and
| Millie and ! arranged a plan by which you
| were to meet her in such a way that you
| might easily be deceived by the resem-
blance between You'll forgive me.
won't you. the more especially because I
really didn't do it?
Abbott was beyond words. His mind
held nothing but fierce. unreasoning
wrath against Hilyard. whose intuition
revealed that condition TO him perfectly.
you're right. Abbott" he said. IT did
II. Slay me. and you will be properly
avenged. When I heard you In the hall
! said to Miss Millie Leigh with whom
had the great happiness to be conversina
at the time: He has come to talk about
| the story. to apologize. Receive what he
says precisely in the spirit In which Il ID
uttered meaning. OF course, that she
should receive II as II II were addressed
TO her sister. And she played the part tS
| q nicely. Wasn't II fun7''
'Rare sport" said Abbott. "a very
| clever game. And as I seem TO be tho
loser ! must pay the forfelt-thst In
| print the story. II you will be so good a,
| to let me have II once more. Miss Leigh
| win publish II word for word. letter fol
| letter. And then-er-the less said abou
! all this the better. Don't YOU think sor.