Evening journal., 1912-06-25
Miss Metford's S
Blunder
By SARAH c. oRDwAY

tDIOuBn me Dy bupuihllnB 10 nlh VIII i
that must marry before coming of
age OF forfeit H. IN one month from
today III come TO that terrible TWEEN
ty-frst anniversary Of my birth. and
I'm not even engaged. There are
suitors enough. but the trouble is to
decide between them. But l must de.
eide between them. ! must be mar
ried within thirty days, and my en-.
gagement should be announced at
once. Even so short an engagement
is barely respectable"
Miss Metford sat down before her
escrltoire and wrote a note to Edwin
Clarke accepting his proposition of
marriage. Then she spent ten min,
utes in deep thought and, laying the
note aside. wrote another to stephen
Douglas accepting his proposition.
This. too. after reflection she laid
aside and wrote to Alfred Downing,
stating that she regretted having been
30 harsh with him and that II he was
so minded she would be pleased that
their former pleasant relationship
should be renewed. Then she vowed
that when the clock struck 0 she
would mail one OF the three letters
That they might be ready she ad
dressed an envelope for each.
During the interval she thought over
the matter OF suing for peace with her
old lover, Downing, and vowed that
she could not, would not eat humble
pie. She would accept one OF the 9th
or two men, and since both were well
enough In their way she would take the
one with the largest income, Douglas
She was much agitated when she tool
up one OF the notes and threw the 9th
er two In the wastebasket. Then, ring
ing for her maid, she gave her the let
ter TO post and directed her 10 say tc
any one who might ask for her that
she had gone to bed indisposed-
II was midnight when she disrobel
and before doing 30 she thought sh
had better destroy the two letters sA
had not mailed. Taking up one, sh
glanced at the address, stephen Glars
and tore II into bits. Then, taking n.
the other, she started.
"My goodness graciousw
The note was addressed 10 Dougiai
Hastily removing the contents fron
the envelope. she read her acceptanc
OF his proposition.
"Oh, heavensl Instead Of mailing tht
I have mailed my crawhsh letter I
Fred must have mistaken Dougla
for Downing How careless OF m
when the names are so near alikel
shall write Fred at once recalling m.
letter. But can't post It tonight, an,
n / could II wouldn't head him on
He'll get n on the early morning de
livery And what good would a re
cantation do anyway l have showr
how feel and-oh, dear. what shall
I doT'
Miss Milford was at the Breakfast
table the next morning when there
came a sharp ring at the doorbell Sh'
gave a convulsive start. casting quicl
glances at the doors and windows as q
looking for some avenue for escape. A
maid entered hearing a card. Mis-,
Milford looked at II as one at bay. ther
directed the maid TO say that she woult
appear presently.
Miss Milford did not have to keeI
the caller waiting. for she had put OF
her most becoming morning costume
Nevertheless she did not enter tn,
drawing room for a quarter OF an hour
Downing. who was standing loolinl
out through a window, hearing a rustic
OF skirts. turned and seeing her ad
vanced eagerly.
Eleanor
Now. Mr.. Downing was not awari
that the lady had sent him the lette
unintentionally. but she had written 1
and could not very we'll unwrite II
His only fear was that he should max
some blunder which might occasion It
recall He knew her for a high spir
tied woman who had dismissed hir
in a pique. and he had no mind to b
dismissed again.
Eleanor" he said humbly. "yo
have made me see the enormity OF tn
offense for which you punished me
you have shown me the magnanimit
Of your nature by granting me you
forgiveness. and you have made m
the happiest man in the world"
This was very foxy OF the gentle
man, and It had its effect. "Accer
my apology for the ungenerous, unga
lant''-
Rude"
"Yes. rude treatment OF you. II 20
= win restore me TO the position occt
pied before
'You forfeited IT,"
Showed myself unworthy OF m
preference Of the noblest. loveliest q
women. promise TO devote my If
/ to doing penance for my fault"
She magnanimously extended he
hand. He seized It and covered
with kisses. Then be said;
II leave on a ship sailing in an hou
for Japan. to be gone a couple o
months. On my return
Z Noticing a blank look on her face, h
n paused
. what is It. darling? Does 1t reall
! 80 pain you TO part with me?"
Miss Milford showed decision at las
She informed Mr.. Downing that he
objections to his going were that sh
must be married within a month an
II he was to be the man she marie
/ he must give up his trip. It is needles
TO say he remained at home.
But for a mistake Miss Mitfor
would have married another man.