The Washington times., 1903-09-13

| this pleasure-the pleasure of meeting
Alice Bronson and finding her the same
Alice as OF Old
The pretty woman at his side blushed
and laughed like girl of sixteen. Then
she inquired how long her companion in
tended to remain In the city.
81 meant to take the train tonight"
was the reply. "but-yes, l can tele
graph believe I'll stop few days. !
ought 10 look about town little, and
hunt up some more old acquaintances.
And Alice, l should like TO know your
mother. I'm sure we should be good
friends. That is, If you don't object tc
my calling"
or course Miss Bronson could have no
objection to continuing the renewed ac
quaintance, and of course her mother
would be pleased to meet such an old
friend.
There was one more reminiscence that
Mr.. Bentley insisted on recalling
You appeared to understand" he be-
gan. my reference TO the postofice in
the old corner desk. ! spoke OF IL wher
we met today. And you must remember
the last note wrote wou. which to my
everlasting sorrow, made you such peck
of trouble. How the teacher found IL
and insisted your reading IL before
the school. And how you openly defied
her and refused. That was fine OF you"
'Oh. 1 was quite safe. Ny uncle was
on the board of education in those days,
said Miss Bronson. laughing little;
still. think I had too much regard for
my private correspondence TO treat 4:
that way in any case"
Yes. and the note wasn't signed,
continued the man somewhat eagerly,
'and she threatened. scolded and ca
! joled to make you tell who wrote 1t.
And you wouldn't You were a heroine
in my eyes that day only I didn't know
how TO tell you So"
How you remember things exclalm-
ed Alice. But that was nothing-of
course not. I've no doubt Miss Linmark
thought me the most obstinate and i'm
pertinent pupil she ever had to deal
| with"
You, with your good record, l guess
not. But how was it, Alice / never had
an answer to that note Didn't you get
it?"
| With all her forty years, Alice Bron-
son had not outgrown the habit of
blUshing. Why. yes" she replied, Il
Insisted on her giving me the note.
believe called her dishonorable for
reading another persons letter But
you know l couldn't take your note
seriously. Our boy and girl friendship
had been happy one, and | wanted il
10 remain so. Then there was the close
of school, examination, and other things
to think of. and Just tried to forget ali
about the note, while l remembered the
writer as kindly as ever"
The big man looked hesitatingly at
his companion. When he spoke his
manner was slow and difident. THAT
was wise and good of you. Alice-you
might well have scorned the foolish,
presumptuous boy; but I've been won
dertng IL it is too Iate-that is. If II
might not yet hope for an answer to
that letter"
Miss Bronson rose to her feet. once
more the calm. dignihed Alice. "Mr
Bentley" she spoke. Il cannot have un-
derstood you. We are Strangers"
NO. no. Alice. don't say that" ex-
claimed the man. you have lived in my
mind these many years. / supposed you
married young-a shining light in the
social world. Had L known il to be
otherwise this long separation might
never have been. Think a bit and don't
give the note an unfavorable answer all
at once"
But. Mr.. Bentley. MY life has heen
differently planned. 1t is quite impossi-
| ble-'
Impossible. Alice, let us conquer the
impossible" was the imDetuous reply.
| I'm not half good enough for you, but
can show clean, honest record. and
/ can take care of you and the mother
You see, I'll never forget your kindness
TO the reckless youngster OF long ago
But don't answer now. Let US be school
boy and girl for the few DAYS I am
here. I want you 10 help me search for
old landmarks. and, well, there are
hundred other "reminiscences of old
Rockford you must aid me to recall"
Miss Bronson gazed rather helplessly
at her companion. Yes, he was the same
irrepressible, impetuous Joe-it was 10
use TO reason with him in the old days
what could she say?
And then-the dinner gong sounded
The couple separated as they entered
the pavilion where the long tables were
spread, and Alice was at once joined
by her friend, the vivacious Miss Chan
ming. They were seated together at the
/ table. and Marion's curiosity soon found
vent in a dozen questions.
rs ne such a bold, bad man. my
dear?" she began. And have you thor
| oughly converted him from his naughty
! habit of staring? No. I declare. he is
looking this way now. But don't blush,
Alice. though | know il must be annoy
ing. You see. he is seated among the
officers of the day. He is TO respond 20
the toast Of Our Western Boys OF
course, you'll thank me for finding out
all about him while you were lecturing
him in the woods Isn't he the most un
assuming man for a millionaiTe?"
Marion. II you rattle on SO we shall
| not hear word of what's going on "