Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-08-12

rather hard to talk 90. asked her
who was the girl she was with when
I wns introduced to her, and she said
she was Agnes Miller and, taking the
hint, offered to introduce me. ac-
cepted and was introduced.
! don't think ever chuckled so In
my life as when found myself incog-
nito chatting with the girl whom
had been saying soft things to over
the wire made up my mind to stave
of the denouement as long as possible.
Not for the world would I give her
any clew to my identity by the slight
est reference to what had passed be-
tween US. And as to letting her know
even that was telegraph operator,
nothing would tempt me to risk giving
away the whole thing by doing so.
danced several times with Agnes
Miller and once with her friend FL
len Ormsby. concluded to go slow
with Miss Miller, but got In a num-
Der of compliments and several looks
indicating my admiration for her.
When left her to catch my train.
which did before the dance had end
cd, pressed her hand and received q
slight pressure In return.
Very soon after this received a
shock at the return of Sam Atkins.
The Spanish war was over, and Sam
had come home In excellent health and
handsome as ever. What disconnected
me was that In some way-I having
sent my girl his photographers might
spoil my fun. But on second thought
It occurred to me that there was no
likelihood of this since she was so
far from both of us.
On my return from G. resumed my
telegraphic chat with her, enjoying 1t
far more than before from having
made her acquaintance. 1t was very
amusing to talk with her, having seen
her, while was still unknown to her
except through Sam Atkins photo
graph. She continued to complain Of
the dizziness Of G.. so I concluded to
ask her to come to town and go with
me to the theater. This would let
her into the secret Of my having sent
her another mans photograph. but
must let that out some time. and there
was no especial reason for delay.
She accepted the invitation with
alacrity and appointed night. pro
cured couple of seats and wrote her
that l would meet her at the station
and take her from there to the thea
ter; she would know me by bit Of
orange ribbon worn in my buttonhole.
To keep up the fraud till her arrival
l asked her to carry few violets In
her left hand.
When Miss Miller alighted from the
train and saw me, whom she had met
before. with the orange ribbon in my
buttonhole she stood still for a mo-
ment; then, simply remarking that we
had met before and had deceived her
about the photograph, we left the sta
ton, and, since 1t was a summer even
ing and an hour must elapse before
the play would begin. we walked to a
park or central square and sat down
on one of the benches. She then re-
proved me mildly for sending her the
wrong photograph. but said she didn't
mind that since she had made my
acquaintance at G..
When we entered the theater and
took our seats but few people had
arrived. We enjoyed ourselves chat,
ting about our telegraphIc correspond
ence and watching the audience come
In. Suddenly my heart stood still.
Who should enter and take the two
seats In the next row in front of us
but Sam Atkins and Miss Miller's
friend. whom had met at c.. Ellen
Ormsby.
The expression on their faces was,
to say the least, peculiar. Smiles
were struggling to assert themselves
which the three were endeavoring to
suppress. l cast a hasty glance at my
companion and saw her eyes fairly
dance with mingled delight, mischief
and triumph
knew at once that the game I had
been playing had not only been discov-
cred, but had been turned against me
"Sam, you rascalT exclaimed
You're traitor to your own sexT
My remark occasioned burst of
laughter from the whole party except
myself.
"Come," said, explain the matter"
At this moment the orchestra struck
up the overture. and in ten minutes
more the curtain rose. My tormentors
forced me to wait till the end OF the
first act before giving me an explana-
ton; then my companion said:
"Nellie Ormsby is a telegraph OPP
orator at the G.. station and has been
your correspondent She sent you my
photograph. with my consent instead
of her own, and, having no more con-
fidence in you in such a matter than
herself, did not believe the likeness
you sent her was your own. She went
to M. taking the photograph with her,
and a mutual friend of hers and Mr..
Atkins there told her that 1t was his
picture. Before leaving town she saw
you at work at your instrument and
knew that you were her correspond
emit Then Mr.. Atkins returned from
the war. She went again to M, made
his acquaintance and told him the
secret
Meanwhile you had gone to g., and
the moment you entered the ballroom
Nellie recognized you. She saw your
attention fixed on me and introduced
you. Your enjoyment In the part you
were playing gave us double what was
evident In you. When your invitation
came we decided to spring the Joke
on you here at the theater. We wrote
Mr.. Atkins to find out. II possible.
where our seats were and get two
a.