Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-07-06

learn something about her." he con-
cluded.
He arrived at the same time as an
other group Of diners, and one said:
81 suppose you have heard of Miss
Mead's engagement"
Edith Mead?"
The other nodded. yes: to young
Dillon. the Pittsburg millionaire, who
has been dancing attendance"
Good match. all around" Bramley
found himself saying. All the while
he was thinking tensely: Edith
the Edith have loved! Well, maybe
it's a good thing my proposal went
astray. for II has saved us both the
modification of a rejection"
This thought brought him back to
the object OF his evenings quest. He
had no chance before dinner OF max
ing inquiries. direct or otherwise. con-
corning the mysterious girl to whom
he had unwittingly proposed. As soon
as he reached the drawing-room he
was cornered by his hostess niece, q
vivacious bright-eyed debutante. who
|
until dinner was announced.
1t was not till they were seated at
the dinner table that he was able to
see who we're the guests. Across
from him was Edith Mead. radiant.
distinguished. with the millionaires
diamond sparkling on her third finger
Searchingly, his eyes traversed the
long table. Suddenly he caught his
breath. Next their host sat the coun-
terpart of Edith Mead. There was the
same sunny-brown hair. the same long
dashed. dark eyes. the same willowy
grace. Yet, despite their striking sim
ilarity, there was q subtle difference.
1t was as II this other girl had been
cast In a mold which produced less
clear-cut beauty. but the slight irreg-
ularity Of features contained more
womanly sweetness than Edith Mead's
had ever possessed.
He was reused from his musing by
the voice OF his hostess asking: rs
your mother going north this sum-
mer. Edith"
Two pairs of brown eyes looked up
interrogatiyely.
do you mean my cousins or
| mine?" archly inquired Miss Mead.
Mrs. Waldron laughed. Il had for
gotten that you and Miss Carson were
both named Edith. Isn't It often con-
fusing?"
YES, indeed! We have great fun
over our similarity Of names and APP
pearance When we went to college
It was hard to convince people we
were only cousins"
| The conversation drifted into other
channels. and though he took his part,
Bramley was covertly studying Miss
| Carson as he now knew her name to
be- He compared the two girls. And
oddly enough. she seemed the real
love. Miss Mead the passing fancy.
Maybe my absurd blunder will
bring me great happiness after all
II can win her." he thought.
At that moment Miss Carson met
his glance with an amused. enigmati-
cal smile. Certainly there was moth
ing lovelorn in her manner.
Perhaps she. too. was merely tri-
fling like the other" was Bramley's
Disconnected thought. and resolved 10
put the question 10 test at his ear
Hest opportunity. It was with great
impotence that he awaited the end
OF dinner. and the time before tho n;c:
Joined the women seemed INTERIM.
| nable.
At last he was free to seek her. He
| asked her to sit out dance with him.
and though the laughing light came
again TO her eyes, she consented.
Resolutely. he led the way to the Sc
cluded nook OF the piazza where they
had met before.
Il am waiting for my answer. Miss
Carson" he began. when they were
seated on the bench overlooking the
bay.
She laughed lightly. "Are you sure
It is really and not my cousin you
| want?"
Under cover OF the sheltering dark
ness he felt the hot blood rush TO his
face. $50 she knew them" he
thought. but answered quietly: 1T is
you want, Miss Carson"
But am not the one you meant to
| ask the other night"
why do you think sol"
Il am sure. Something In your
voice. a quality of surprise. told me as
you turned away. am quick TO de-
tect such a mistake. for my cousin and
| are so often taken for each other"
He squared his shoulders manfully.
II acknowledge the truth. Miss Car
son. I was mistaken then. but ! am In
earnest now"
There was no moon tonight, so he
OWNED rather than saw the sudden
| seriousness OF her face.
II honor your chivalry too much,
| Mr.. Bramley. to expect you for a mo-
ment to stand by your declaration
"But wish to-" he answered. boy
ishly. when saw you together this
| evening. l realized you were the one
1 oil n