Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1906-05-24

no trace could he discover either of the
landlady or Maisie. The tide of life
a swept past him, leaving him
stranded on the beach-alone.
A year since Maisie had left Lon
don, and already Time, the universal
healer. had worked wonders. True. h
still occasionally experienced a faint
tremor at the postman's knock. and
sometimes INDUCED in day dreams of
a happy reunion with Robert. But such
wiStful longingS did not affect her ma
terially. M gradually h grew more
contented than she had ever been. Her
employment was congenial-she was
secretary to one of the heads of the
tirm-and free from the fear of con-
slant faultfinding.
She was the only woman in the
building. and inasmuch as she was eN-
tremely pretty and ~singuiarly sweet
hammered il is not surprising that all
the employees, from the senior clerk TO
the smallest office boy, We're her sin
cer. admirers. More than one had
shown an inclination to develop into
something nearer and dearer. but she
felt chary of eve embarking OH the
t%roublous sea of love: besides, she
could never care for any man save one.
CtIllcliiIltS ne tilcuSIt llStSlltu =
her that perhaps her letter had miscar-
ried-such things had happened. Once.
when the longing to see or hear from
limit was Christmas time, and she
was terribly lonesome-mastered her.
she pcnned Il note Couched i'm stiff, not
to say stilted. language. giving her adj
dress and saying she would be glad
to know nov he was \ sudden rush
of tenderness made her add a post
script. which caused her. after ii had
gone. tears of modification and dis
treSS.
Il can never forget you.' she wrote:
you are all / have" And answer there
was none.
Fate had once more interviewed. Rob-
ert had gone to Australia for some inn
portant documents necessary ia prove
his identity, and the letter was sent at
ter him, only to reach Australia the day
after he had sailed for home.
After that Maisie steeled her heart.
There We're others.
Accordingly. one of her most devoted
admirers. a good looking young giant
of the name of Ernest Arnold. was sud-
denly raised to the seventh heaven of
delight. Once she even deigned to ac-
company his sisters. under his care, to
a fancy ball given in aid of some char
ity.
But the young fellows hopes of a de-
lightful evening We're crushed by the
unexpected line his lady fair ooh up.
Maisie wore a mask and domino.
Whats the name of that tall girl
in crimson. the one with that pretty lit
tile air thing. Are they sisters?" she
asked OF her partner.
"Sisters-in-law." he corrected. The
tall n is Lady Lionel Everett-she is
chaperoning the other. Miss Daisy Ev-
erett."
rs Sir Lionel Everett here?' asked
..-:
rival possessing her.
Yes. hat chap over there, dressed
as Il crusader.
"By-the-bye.' he went on. its ru-
lnored that Sir Lionel is about to lose
his title. Some ~colonial or other has
turned up. and it's been suggested that
he should marry Miss Everett and so
keep the money in the family
Maisie looked eagerly toward the
group.
Daisy, fair as a lily, dressed as Elaine.
Il tall, s%plendidly dressed Toreador
bending Eel her. while Lady Everett
chatted to Il monk
Something about the Spanish cavalier
seemed curiously familiar to Maisie,
n h longed to hear his voice.
A desperate determination took pos
session of the girl. She dropped her
fan at the Toreador's feet.
He stopped and picked it up. hazard
ing d tlowery speech in a grandiloquent
style.
Maisie's heart beat fast.
You should suit your compliments ia
our costume, or vice versa" she said
softly.
is my tongue so very rough and
ready" he asked.
Not always she answered.. Some
| times it is subtle. Sweet. then cruel.
w%ounding when most it caresses."
He started forward. but with Il little
mocking laugh she glided away.
For the rest of the evening the
toreador sought for h yellow domino
in every corner. until at the stroke of II
everyone was unlnaSked.
He was standing in an ante-room
with Daisy Everett, facing a mirror.
AS he removed his mask, smiling aid
! miringly enough at the fair Elaine be
side him, the heavy draperies at the
door were parted. and a figure I'm a yell
low domino glided to the glass.
"Maisie.' ne called.
A voice answered Robert"
.And then. regardless of Miss Ever
ett's Mortified amazement. he held her
to his heart. fastening kisses on her
lips, her hair. her eyes.
But why had he disregarded her let
ter-her appeals
my dear" he said. "if ever a MAJ
paid for his folly i have done so.
never had your letter till too late. ]
was very i'll. my own. and when came
to you. you'd flown"
And so it came to pass that. after all
Robert Everett married MaiSie Brooks
before the title and position he Sc
lonGed for came to hin even as she had
desired.
Clipped a Tigers Claws.
From an Exchange.