The Press., 1909-05-19

But pfomlSeQ, SalQ CarCWr1ghe
 wrathfully-"I promised the woman to see it delivered in person, and now
 it is my fate to go on a still hunt for
 this horrible woman, this gorgon. Pm
 very much afraid that Maud Cart.
 wright's dinner will be late if she
 waits for me-" He added the last
 Wrathfully.
 "Ohi'' said the girl sympathetically. "Still,' she continued, "the poor wom- an is probably mourning the loss of her pudding. and you can figure as the restorer of happiness. She is like ly one of these timid souls and didn't dare own up to her name, or-I have it!-she is probably deaf and didn't hear the conductor"
 The train pulled into the station. and the passengers gathered up their various belongings.
 "Goodby." said the girl sweetly. "I hope you find her all right. May you enjoy as good a Christmas pudding as Mary J.ang's."
 Cartwright watched her ruefully as she disappeared in the crowd
 "Id like to know that girI' was his mental ejaculation; then he walked into the waiting room. eagerly scan- ming the crowd for woman who ap- peared to have lost something. At last refreshing his memory by a glance at the address. he took an uptown car and started for 1919 Essex place.
 The storm had increased traffic was slow, and it was some time before he mounted the steps and rang the bell at his destination. He wondered if he should ask for Miss or Mrs. Lang, and when the door opened he slurred the prefix and laid emphasis upon the name. Miss Lang was at home, and he presently found himself comforta- ply seated and awaiting her advent. He glanced mechanically about the tastefully appointed room; then there was step on the stair. and he turned to behold tall girl in a black lace dinner gown and with a spray of holly caught in her dark hair.
 SsYOuv' he cried.
 She came forward, a half shamed, 1 wholly mischievous expression on her face.
 T suppose owe you an apology" she said. "You see, fully intended to | own up before you reached the city you were so deliciously funny that simply couldn't before-and then you mentioned your cousin, Maud Cart | wright, who is my best friend. and l | knew that you must be Bobby's | cousin, of whom I've heard all my | life. And so''-she darted a mirthful | glance at him from under her dark | lashes-"and so, well. the temptation was too overwhelming. I have heard of you in variety of roles, but never before as a restorer of puddings." She | held out her hand. "Please try quite hard to forgive me-" she finished in assumed contrition.
 They looked at each other, and both broke into merry peal of laughter.
 "You," cried Cartwright when he could speak-"you led me this wild goose chase!" He tried to summon a air.
 She raised one hand and plucked a tall rose from a vase on the mantel. Her mouth was drawn into demure lines. but her eyes danced wickedly. Then she held out to him the long stemmed rose
 ''I had to punish you for calling me a gorgon and believing me to be such n dreadful looking creature. The score Is not so uneven. is it?"
 They looked at each other above the rose and laughed again.
 'I will even it up. my Christmas lady," declared Cartwright. Then his voice fell into humber tone "And with Cousin Maud to introduce me may come again?''
 "Are you sure that Bobby Cart wright is your cousin?''
 Positive"
 "Wel. have invited Bobby and Maud and the cousin who was expect ed to Christmas dinner. We are to have the pudding, but perhaps it would not agree with you after what has happened.'
 Food for the godsr' cried Cart wright Give me a chance at that pudding. It will afford very excel lent substitute for humble pie"
 It was showing heavily when Cart wright reached the street, but he plunged resolutely into the storm.
 Heavenly pudding" he cried with T must relinquish you. put will not give you up so easily, my Christmas lady"