The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-05-12
JUST BYCHANCE.
PY E A. FooTE. a@
100000
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

. o against the piazza rail. II
I 4 was ideal.
SBC% He had been ordered
south with his company and they were
drilling I'm the low Virginlan plains.
Not that there was any war. Oh,
dear. nol But Uncle Sam thinks best
TO keep his sons in training.
Every instant Ted could spare from
his official duty was spent at The
EIms, his uncles place. His cousins.
Nell and Bob, were in the swim Of
Virginia society. and Ted found it
very hard sometimes to leave his per-
sonal pleasures for his only TOO clear
duty. And so on this day, when he
had had a moment to spare. he stood
on The Elms' veranda waiting for his
cousin Nell 10 come down He had de-
cided to surprise her that day. and 50
had kept silent when he heard his
name called twice from the stairs.
Then he heard footsteps, girls foot
steps, in the hall. and he stepped back
into the shadow Of the door, and just
as she crossed the threshold sprang
forward and caught her in his arms
admit surprised you. Nell,' he
cried, as he kissed her lightly.
Yes" the girl admitted. quietly.
you did surprise me, only, you see, /
am not Nell"
mot Nell?' he echoed.
Then he stepped back. Before him
was a young girl with rumpled brown
hair and laughing black eyes. She
was dressed in Nell's riding habit, but
she was a girl Ted had never seen.
"Oh, I beg pardon he began, but
she interrupted him.
"Oh. 1 know what you're goirg to
say You're awfully sorry, and it'll
never happen again. 1t was an awful
blunder-rather mistake and--dont
you think you'd better tell me your
nameg" she added somewhat lamely.
In moment Ted was himself again.
The girls speech had given him time
to regain his thoughts.
Miss"
Hastings" she prompted
Thanks, Miss Hastings, l can never
tell you how sorry l am for this. 1t
was an awfully awkward blunder.
and l hope you will excuse me, but
really" he added honestly, Il didn't
know whom I was kissing or | might
have been tempted to do it any way.
But, any way, ! hope, as / said be-
fore. that you will excuse your humble
servant, Ted Scott. Reference-well, |
I'm second lieutenant in the United |
States Army
Delighted to meet you. I'm sure,
Mr.. Scott. But don't let us be at all |
foolish about it, and please don't tell
any one"
"Of course it shall be just as you
say" was all Ted had time to say.
for just then Nell came down. and
seeing them standing there, said
quickly
"Oh. I'm so glad you weren't SO
foolish as to have to be introduced
before you spoke. l forgot to tell
you, Ted, that Mildred was coming"
Thanks, little cousin, but you see,
found out to my great JOY" said Ted
land | think we've been pretty well
Introduced"-at which Mildred Hast
lngs blushed SO red that Nell instant
" changed the subject
To Ted's great delight, after his
had been dispersed, his un-
rle had invited him to remain at The
Elms to Nell's house party.
Strange to say, Mildred Hastings
was invited to stay also. Stranger
still was the fact that they were both
1t was the day that the guests were
to arrive. and Ted. as a member of
The family, and Mildred. as an old
friend. were doing their best to help
-hings along. Ted, going to the barn
% order the carriage for Bob and Nell
% go to the station to meet their
friends ran, just at the front door,
straight into Mildred's arms.
'Ob, Mr.. Scott" she exclaimed,
this door
"See here" he interrupted. 'if you
all me Mr. Scott again I'll 90 and
ihoot myself or pass away from
hock. Anyhow, you'll never see me
gain. Really and truly, Miss Hast
ngs."
Such gay times as that party had.
Riding. skating and sleighing. Such
oily evenings, as they sat gathered ,
round an open fire
It was not until the last week Of !
heir stay that Ted got Millv away
rom the rest Of the party. He had /
sked her to walk with him. and size {
ad willingly accepted
Fer some time they walked along in
Hence. when Ted remarked:
"A penny for your thughts." /
They're worth more than that she j
eplied earelessly. !,
"Will you give me a guess?" 7
"GiTe you three, you'd never find I
ut"
You were thinking Of the-the time
Fe first met !
he spoke as If positive. She colored q
nd glanced at him quickly. n
How do you knowg' z