The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1912-11-26

low, who had travelled the world over
and had fund Of merry anecdotes to
ft any occasion. Ponty paid assidu-
ous court to the beautiful girl. but
Cynthia quite ignored his attempts at
love making She had had enough of
! leve. she told herself disdainfully.
In spite of Cynthla's discouraging
attitude whenever he approached the
tender topic. Ponty one day mustered
courage to speak.
Il am sorry. Mr.. Roland" said Gym
th.a gently. "but really l cannot marry
you"
s'If you only knew" murmured Pom
ty distressfully.
"Knew what"
81 fell in love with your picture long
before l ever met you." declared Pom.
ty earnestly. Il was walking down
Fifth avenue the day after my return
from France when l glanced into
Delrs window and saw you. Such
was my enthusiasm that l vowed that
you must become Mrs. Dupont Ro-
land"
.Indeed! cried Cynthia between
amusement and displeasure.
Indeed. yes. Furthermore" went
on the needless Mr.. Roland. Il met
friend Just beyond and showed him
the picture and told him it was the
future Mrs. Roland. He congratulated
me. and | asked him to be my best
man." Ponty gazed reproachfully at
her amazed face.
sThat wasn't quite-er-nice. was
itY asked Cynthia quietly. And Pom
ty felt more rebuked than If she had
denounced him. He felt like cad.
.sNo: 1t wasn't nice. and humbly
apologize" cried Ponty contritely. and
even after Cynthia had shaken hands
with him. and had banished the topic
uEder discussion he felt uncomfortable
When he arose to depart sudden
thought smote Cynthia Ludlow and
brought her to her feet white and trem-
bling with emotion.
~Ah. Mr. Roland. I wonder If you
NfiI tell me something" she said In
rather shaky voice.
!" Everything that know" declared
Ronty eagerly.
ssrhen is your name Ponty-that fs
- your men friends call you that?"
They do. and some girls who like
cell me Ponty also." admitted the
ssse 81 Roland
cynthia drew a long breath. and her
little hands clasped tightly before her
..You-you spoke about seeing my
picture and showing 1t to a friend"
she said In a low tone, her face turned
away from him.
.Yes. did Awfully sorry, you
know"
'.Who was your friendw
"Why. Dick Morton. Perhaps you
know him. He's in Germany now. |
believe"
"You told him that you were engaged
to marry me?" asked Cynthia with
very bright eyes.
81 gave him that impression. mere
ly said that I would show him the fu
ture Mrs Dupont Roland. and l took
him to the window and showed him
your picture. didn't tell him ! hadn't
met you even" Ponty was feeling TN
comfortable under Cynthia's steady
gaze.
"What did he say?"
"He congratulated me. I asked him
to be best man. and he said he couldn't
said he was going to Germany"
Cynthia was silent so long after that
that Ponty grew anxious. She was
looking at him-nay. through him-as
II she saw something or somebody be
yond. Her eyes were misty.
81 hope | haven't made any trouble
or anything Of that sort, Miss Lud
low" he ventured at last
"You see." said Cynthia. with a slow
smile. sit must have puzzled Mr.. Nor
ton to have you announce your en-
gagement to me at that time because
he was engaged to me himself"
NO" exploded Ponty, blushing furi
ously.
"Yes," said Cynthia.
I'm the biggest fool In the world"
mourned Ponty. turning to the door
and Cynthia did not deny 1t. neither
did she try to stay his departure.
1t was not until be was out In the
street that a solution of the difficulty
came to Ponty Roland.
"IU cable old Dick all about it." he
said. and because money was no oh
tect to him he spared no adjectives
in describing the situation to the alb
sent Dick, who was eating his heart
out In Berlin.
The next day he received Dicks ca
BILE reply. Coming today. Keep ou1
of my way for awhile. Ponty." was
all he said.
Ponty carried the cablegram to Gym
thia.
"Ive got one. too." she confessed
blushing beautifully. and Ponty felt
pang of regret. for he had never seen
Cynthia look so lovely.
But he had an appointment with the
little actress to motor In the park. and
he hastened away. quite forgetting
about Cynthia and her sweetheart. for
that affair had been merely an Incl
dental romance in the many heart af-
fairs In which be had played the hero.
but TO Cynthia and Dick it had almost
proved tragedy.