The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-13

A most cnarmiT gill pusred Aunt
Maria. Her far IS excellent. She's
pretty and int ngent, well educs4sd.
tactful and kind. II don't know when
have met a young woman who pleased
me so much. She IS the very one
I would have picked out for you. Alan.
Where did you meet her?'
'At-at Mrs. Reyburn's reception, I
believe" stammered the wretched Alan.
and the deep blush which overspread
his features was taken for happy en-
barrassment by his delighted aunt. She
privately excused his haste to get away.
on the ground that he must nave some
appointment with his inamorata, and re-
GREETED exceedingly that she was on her
way North. and so could not call on the
young lady at once and congratulate
her. for she hated to write letters. they
seemed so cola.
Stevenson slipped of into the part OF
The town east of Seventh Street. where
he would be reasonably sure not 10 meet
anybody that he knew. He wanted to
think. He had never in his life felt so
great a need OF a colossal intellect. He
was thinking so hard that he felt as II
something was going to break Then
he cannOned into a person going in the
opposite direction
i begyour pardon.-awfulIyc careless Of
me" he said. Strengthening his hat and
picking up the other persons umbrella.
and then he saw that Il was Miss Kath-
crime Lency. He had not net the young
LADY recently. and nothing but the deep
est and most sincere interest could have
accounted for the agitation OF his man
ner Miss Lancy. being a girl OF ex-
perience. saw this. and while she was
somewhat surprised. she was also rather
pleased and a little bit fattered for
Stevenson had not the reputation OF be-
ing d susceptible individual. at least
not as susceptible as this She was
very gracious. and Stevenson was alb
jectly grateful He could do no less than
offer 10 escort her home. for it was
growing dark. and when they reached
her door he was surprised ar the short
ness OF the distance. He had always
supposed it was further
Then he went home and finished his
thinking He formulated his plan OF
campaign but slowly. He ranged the
elements of the situation in order. First.
his acquaintance with Miss Lancy was
limited. Second. he did not even know
whether or not she was engaged. Third,
she evidently had not seen the notice in
the evening paper. Fourth. she I'M
doubtediy would see it before very long.
and then what? Fifth-he felt this most
acutely-she was a delightful girl.
At this point ne stopped thinking and
INDUCED in a little dream. When he
emerged from it his cigar was oUt.
Stevenson was a man accustomed to
act promptly. and he felt that this was
= nh -.
part from habit. He shock himself and
lighted match. 1t was s O'Clock. He
hustled into his evening clothes, sent A
telephone message to the office. and
went up to Miss Lancy's house She was
at home.
The state Of mind In which Stevenson
entered the drawing-room may be COM
pared 10 that in which men go into bat
tie. He was not quite sur whether
the outcome would be glory or disgrace.
ecstasy OF humiliation, triumphant
progress or a horrible smash. He only
knew that he had made ID his mind to
do something, and he was going to do IT.
The minute Miss Lancy saw him she
knew what was coming. and the color
deepened just a shade. in the delicate
creamy tint y her skin. She was one OF
those pale blondes who kindle. on oc-
CASTOR. like a stained glass window
when the light shines through IT, She
was thinking almost as quickly as
Stevenson was. though without SO many
complications
He showed her the para graph IN the
paper. He told her it had got there
by an unaccouutable mistake. Then he
begged her not to have 1t corrected.
Stevenson is a good special pleadrr.
and he particularly hates to go after a
thing and not get it. The latter half
Of the conversation was never known 10
more than two persons. but both Miss
Lancy and Stevenson were a5le 10 say
serenely next day TO incGirins re
porters that their wedding would take
place on the fifteenth Of June.