The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-03-19

brought back scanty fosr. Miks MAJ
son was evidently not Of d belief
that II was more blessed to give than
to receive, but Saunders treasured
these brief spistles, perfect save in
one particular. and dreamed his dream
of love.
The one Earring note was the hand
writing. Saunders was sensitive to
penmanship and it seemed to him
that the style was more masculine
than Miss Mansons personality sug-
gested He had expected dainty.
wholly feminine handwriting and In
this, but only in this, was he disap.
pointed and when, at last, Miss Man
son limited that his period of pro-
baton was about to end, Saunders
cup overflowed with joy.
The next development was card
from Mrs. Shearer for dinner dance
with ITO meet Miss Marietta Man
son" in one corner. In his exuberancc
Saunders vowed that he would give
the postman box og cigars on his
next trip, and then he went out to
order new evening clothes.
The function was a week distant
and Saunders never knew how he
passed the time. He was one of the
first to enter the Shearer parlors,
but his face fell as he saw a tall,
dark girl standing beside his hos
tess. Wonderingly he made his way
toward the chair, but his face light
ened again as Mrs. Vance came for
ward with his lady of the Pullman
car.
Il want you to know Miss Clyde,
she said, as she laid OBTAINING hand
on Saunders arm. "Vira, permit me
to present Mr.. John Saunders"
Miss Clyde!" Saunders voice was
incredulous. The girl laughed lightly.
Il asked Mrs. Vance to introduce
me before you met Eta" she said in
low voice. 81 feel that an explana-
ton is due you, Mr.. Saunders. Eta
is my cousin and lives in Claverly.
was visiting her, and when left
II found that my suit case handle
was broken.
There was no time in which to
have it repaired, and Eta loaned
me hers. l was to purchase a suit
case between trains in Chicago and
ship hers back by express. She past
ed on a tag that I might have no
trouble in Chicago, and it was her
address, not mine, you copied on ths
train.
Il knew nothing of the correspcn-
dence until Eta came east and
brought your letters with her. She
seems to have derived considerable
entertainment from the incident. She
is an inveterate practical joker"
"And it was she who" Saunders
glanced at the girl who stood smil-
ingly acknowledging the introductions
to the passing line of guests.
Now he could understand the mys.
terry Of the masculine handwriting for
there was something almost boyish
about Marietta's dark beauty. With
a groan he realized what a capital
story she could make of the episode.
for there was twinkle in her eye
that betokened both mischief and a
sense of humor With word of ex-
cuse to the girl by his side, he went
forward to face the music.
Marietta's hand clasped his in a
frankly friendly grasp.
81 think know you,'' she said with
smile. Don't worry, though. Vira
made me promise never to tell-and
/ don't think that those letters went
entirely astray That's a hint for
which you should be very grateful" "
More grateful than you realize
declared Saunders fervently, as he
gave place to the newest arrival and
went in search of Miss Clyde. There
was still hope that the Son of STRAIT
egg might retrieve the situation, and
more than ever did he desire his
lady of the car-New Orleans Picay-
une.