Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-12-22


tell you that noticed In her a decid-
ed preference for you as soon as you
arrived"
"A preference for mel" l exclaimed,
surprised
"Yes, for your
What indication did she give OF
the factT
Don't you wish you knewT and
tapping me playfully with her fan.
she ran away to other guests.
During the rest Of our stay at the
Duncans' country place Hester Ad
ANS seemed always TO have something
on her mind. For q time she was
sought by her admirers as before, but
like seeks like, and the young men,
finding her preoccupied and unenter
tanning. gradually drew away to more
animated companions. l, too, with the
secret on my mind, was moody and
III disposed to join In the gay sports
our host provided for us. And short
ly before the expiration of the term
for which | had been invited made
an excuse to leave. Charlie drove me
to the station and while we were wait
ing for the train said to me:
Eileen is greatly disappointed Mt
the failure OF her effort to make O
match for you"
I'm sorry not to oblige her, but you
know those things can't be forced
Possibly had known the girl your
wife picked out for me I might have
done better"
She's a splendid woman"
II say, Charlie, since we've not mat
ed and It's all over, suppose you tell
me who she Is"
EILEEN would divorce me II | did"
"On my honor. she shall never know
from me-
There was whistle, and the train
rolled up. Just as | was about to get
aboard Charlie whispered In my ear
Hester Adams"
| hurried into the car and sank In
my seat In a semlstunned condition.
The little god likes startling things
Better a disagreeable episode than
none at all Some Of the most VIC
lent loves have started with a quarrel
The secret ! carried with me had kept
Hester Adams In my mind to the ex
clusion OF all others. Eileen Duncan
had told me that the girl she had pick
ed out for me had shown me pref
erence. And now comes Charlie and
reveals her as the girl l had caught
pilfering Surely Cupid must have
chuckled over such complicated sit.
uation.
Charles Information capped the
climax. 1t revealed TO me that the
plan to mate me. so far as ! was con
cerned, had been eminently successful,
but plan to marry me had resulted
In n catastrophe. The happy Issue In
my case would be paradoxical-ma
rage with thief.
Soon after the Duncans returned 10
the city received note from Eileen
as follows:
confession has been made to me con
corning something that occurred during
your recent visit to US. One OF our guests
one / esteem very hlghly--has made me
her conhdant- I believe every word she
says, and your and my friendship here
after depends upon your believing her too
/ paused to remark that this was
very womanly statement. 1t confirm
cd my ideas of the lnconsiderateness
Of the sex.
Please come over on Tuesday evening
and hear what is due the lady that you
should know.
To describe my feelings at this
promised explanation OF what | re
garded inexplicable would be impossi
BILE. | counted tue hours till Tuesday
evening, theL went to the Duncans'. |
was ushered into drawing room.
where stood single person. That
person was Hester Adams. She seem
ed TO have lost twenty pounds since |
had last seen her. ! bowed defer
entlally, and without seating herself
or asking me TO be seated she said:
During my visit at the Duncans
one day | went upstairs, 80 wrapped
in something Of which was thinking
that passed over two flights OF stairs
instead Of one and entered the room
directly over mine. Advancing to the
dresser, still thinking Of what was on
my mind, | picked up a scarfpln AT
that moment my reverie was broken
by a footstep In the hall. and In the
glass before me I saw you"
saw mel! ! interrupted.
ut flashed upon me that was In a
mans apartment | have since seen
how unwise was not to come out and
take the consequences. feared not
to be believed. II seemed to me that
l must bear the imputation OF having
gone to mans room for a purpose.
l preferred that purpose to be consid-
cred theft. | put the scarfpin I had
inadvertently taken up in my corsage
and turned slowly enough to enable
you to pass on without our meeting"
II have been n fool" | exclaimed,
mot to have known that you could
see my reflection as well as could see
yours. II is who have been to
blame, not you. | should have been
chevalier enough to attribute your
presence in that room to u mistake.
Had known that you saw me I
should have certainly assured you Of
my perfect confidence in your limo
cence."
And so II was that my friends ef
Tort In my behalf, notwithstanding my
folly. turned out to my advantage.
They were much pleased at It's ulti-
mate success, and ! was made happy
in the wife they had placed In my
way.