The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1907-12-26


"It's playing game, and | have
the best cards. Desperate III re-
quire desperate remedies, you seen
and l, Lady Eversley, am stalking my
life's happiness on this. You may
trust me to take care of Lady Kitty"
The countess sighed. 81 leave 1t
to you, Rupert, and on my side you
may rely on my innocence"
"If | am successful In winning
Kitty for my wife. and Lady Evers-
ley for my mother-in-law," he said
with gentle courtsey. my ambition
will be satisfied"
Lady Kitty read the daily Outcry
each morning at breakfast. 1t cost
half penny and gave plenty of
news in condensed and sensational
manner. The Agony" column was
a prominent feature and although
matrimonial advertisements were not
admitted, there was frequently
strong resemblance to one. On this
particular morning her attention was
caught by the following pathetic de-
mand:
Correspondence desired with a
lady who believes, with the adver-
tiser, that everyone has twin soul,
and that complete happiness can only
be attained when they come in con-
tact with each other. A brief inter
course will soon decide. Strictest
confidence on both sides to be main
tained--Address sympathy. Post
Office, Dorley- y-on-the-Hill, West
shire"
Lady Kitty read the advertise
ment several times. At first she
wondered if the Daily Outcry had
taken leave of his senses.
THE editor must have been dining
out" she said to herself.
There was a letter from Halliday
asking her If she would go to a lecture
that afternoon, given by friend Of
his. The subject was Mind versus
Matter" 1T only lasts an holr.
and we can motor afterwards, If yoi
like"
Rupert is surely getting seriousl
AS If | should understand a lecture"
She wrote an affirmative, however.
and then, Just for fun" began re-
ply to the advertisement. After
a few attempts she read one that
satisfied her.
Dear Sir--I am rather touched by
your appeal in the Daily Outcry, for
l myself have often felt the want Of
sympathy in people one meets in
ordinary society There is too little
romance, think, and too much sham
and frivolty. One is ashamed TO
express ones real feeling for fear of
enCountering derision. Should you
care to answer this letter, explaining
your views still further, please write
to * Charing Cross Postofice, Lon
don, w"
Halliday found Kitty rather pre-.
occupied for the next few days. She
excused herself seeing him on sew
eral occasions and volunteered no en-
planation. The countess was
busy woman, presiding over several
clubs and philanthropic Institutions
Her name was eagerly sought as pa
troness Of bazars and various chart
ties, and as she seldom refused, and
gave handsome donations, her time
was well taken up.
Four days after she had posted
her letter, Kitty received the follow
ing reply:
Dear Miss K-I cannot tell you
how glad ! was to read your letter.
There were other answers to my ad-
vertisement, but something about
your writing compelled me to answer
your letter first. | feel sure that
there is sympathetic chord between
us and correspondence will decide
the question. A few personal de-
tails are necessary, and will men,
tion that was stroke of the Oxford
boat when you, doubtless, were wear
pinafores, playing with kitten, and
snubbing little boys who presumed
to pay you attention. My age Is
80 odd. ride eleven stone, and am
about six feet In height.
The reason / have acted in this
erratic way is because girls of the
present day-as we'll as men-affect
to despite all true romance, as you
say. ! begin to despair of finding
someone who was really syn-
pathetic. VIII you tell me more
about yourself? Are you fond of
reading? Who are your favorlte
authors? Has good music any at
traction for you? Do you hate the
country? Do you prefer motors to
horses?
please forgive all these Dues
tions.
Yours very faithfully,
sympathy"
Kitty was very much interested
In this letter, and she answered it tho
next day. BY the end Of q month
mntters hnd so FAR nrnnrnccna d..