Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1909-1915, 1909-12-17

X
Fred Singleton was strongly tempted
to keep up the deception just for the
sake Of retaining that little soft hand
Longer in his own. But he: was an
honorable man., and from the girls!
speech he had been gathering ma;
terials which would help to solve the
mystery that for the past few days
had been the cause of so much an..
noyance. So he said: ' 81. :::* S}S2Ss
excuse me, but there Is some mis-
take here. l am F.. n. Singleton, It sis#
true. but not the one you are seeking
and for whom these messages were
evidently intended" And, drawing q
handful Of dispatches from his pocket.
he spread them open before his yis-$
itor. explaining az well as he could
how they had fallen into bis hands. .s''%
At first Elma Weston was unable to
comprehend what had occurred. When
however, a clear understanding OF the
situation did burst upon her she was
so overwhelmed with disappointment
and chagrin that her eyes filled with
tears. 80 e
Il am SO sorry. sir she tried TO
apologize in Il low Qunvering voice
strongly in contrast with her former
bantering tone, ''lhat you have been
subjected to so much annoyance on
on our account" !
"Please don't think of it," he has,
tened to say. ~ hat is OF small ino-
ment | am only annoyed that you
should be so disappoinl
"Yon are very kind,' she murmured.
moving toward the door He followed
her. ~, n:
Il beg your pardon" be said, but il
to assist you in finding this namesake
of mine.' -,
'"Thank you, SIR" she replied. her
eyes refusing to meet his, so great was
her embarrassment although lam
total stranger here, could not think
of troubling you further
at is a singular coincidence that
there should be another OF my name
In the city and 10 one have any
knowledge of him." continued the gen.
tleman as he stood with her by the
library door. hat In hand. ready to
render service.
ut is indeed singular" responded
the girl. Il can't understand it. But
since you are kind enough to offer as
sistance and as you have been the
chief victim an explanation is due you.
which shall be glad to give. ~
while | was at school last year my
sister, Stella Weston. was the guest of
an aunt in New Jersey. There she be-:
came attached to young man OF the.
name OF +. 81. Singleton. he was only
a poor writer. and my aunt, who is
wealthy and had higher ambitions; for
her handsome niece. opposed the
match. Ny father through her influ-
ence refused his consent in language
which aroused my sisters high strung
nature. She defed them both. ram
away and was married to her writer
lover. Father refused to forgive them
until three days ago. when we receiv-
; ed telegram from this place announc-
ing the arrival of grandson who was
to be given his, name. This immedi-
ately brought about reconciliation.
know comparatively nothing of my
brother-in-law, SO hope you will FOR
give my mistake" a.:
Just at this moment there was "a
sharp ring at the door, and at once
the servant ushered in a young man
whom Mr.. Singleton instantly recogs
nized as one Of the telegraph clerks.
There have been some mistakes
made In the Office" he began. Ger
tain dispatches delivered to you were
meant for another F. 81. Singleton. He
lives on a farm four miles out of the
city. and, being a newcomer none of
us knew him. have come to ask you
to be kind enough to overlook the
blunder If you can" .s,
Certainly But how did you discov!
er the mistake inally?'
This other Mr. Singleton is at the
Office now waiting for replies that
have been delivered to you"
"All right. This lady and will &C.
company you back and see If we all
together cannot bring order out OF
chaos" e i =,
Eilna found her sisters husband at
the station, and full explanations and
introductions followed. She was driv.
en- to the fine old farm. which he had
recently inherited from deceased III.
Gle. Stella was delighted at the unex.
pected arrival of Elma. The wonder.
full baby, who had been the uncon.
scious cause of no little embarrass.
ment to his lovely "aunty," was
speedily forgiven and petted and Gu.
ressed to the satisfaction of all con.
cerned.
Although it has been impossible ur
to date for the two Singletons to prove
themselves kinsmen, they are great
friends. The business one in the city
frequently drives out to the farm. o.
tensibly to. discuss the others double
interests. agriculture and literature
! But his real object is to place himself
! as often as possible in the company OF
sweet Elma Weston, who cannot make
mp her mind to leave that remarkable
baby.