The Lamar register., 1913-03-19

young man lifted his eyes and encoun-
tered the gaze of a pair Of startled
brown ones whose like he had never
seen before
In wondering delight he noted the
brown Of the eyes. and the distinct
black OF the curling lashes and deli
cately marked brows.
What is the matter. dear?" asked
bis aunt anxiously
'Nothins-just q twinge." he evadsd
quickly.
"Gout?" Her tone was playful
"No-heart." he said grimly
| Esther watching them with nutter-
ing her, touched the bunch OF cool
violets at her waist with trembling
fingers. She had heard the converts
ton about the violets and understood.
The name on the florists box had been
"Reinz" and there was another "Miss
Esther Mason" for whom the Blossoms
had been purchased. A stupid shop
man and the mere difference Of east
and west-and a singular coincidence
Of names-had completed the tangle.
The v:olsts were not hers. They BE-
lonsed to that beautifully gowned
woman at the next table who was
drawing on her white gloves and pre-
pairing for her departure.
Esther paid the waiter and slipped
into her loose gray cloak. With .
graceful movement she crossed to the
next table and bent over her aston
ished namesake.
Il must ask your pardon" said
Esther composedly, but I could not
help overhearng your conversation
about the violets. My name II Esther
Mason and live at 81 East sixth
street. Tonight I received this beau
tiful bunch Of violets and as there
was no card-why just thought they
came because 1t was my birthday. II
did not occur to me there might have
been a mistake-the address was %
plain on the box"
As she spoke. Esther unpinned the
flowers and laid them on the table be-
side Miss Mason. but the older woman
thrust them back into her hands.
mo. no. my dear. you must keep
them; It Is your birthday-and am
very glad that you have them" She
smiled sweetly at the lovely youns
face bent above her own and As she
looked. q puzzled expression came into
her eyes. She flashed q quick glance
toward the table where the girl had
been sitting. and then added: You
are ne-here-tonight?" Perhaps
your friends are waiting for you"
Esther flushed and drew back. II
am all alone" she said with dignity.
81 came here to dine this evening be-
cause 1T was my birthday and I want
ed n treat-the violets tempted me
they seemed to lure me into spending
one delightfully."- luxurious evening. II
YOU Will not take the violets. Miss
Mason, let me thank you for them and
say goodnight"
She turned away with a slight in.
clination Of the head. but the older
woman's hand caught hers and de-
tanned her.
Wait a moment. please. You did
not understand me. my dear. I asked
about your friends because thought
might recognize among them one
whom / knew-your face 10 20 famil
lar-it IL very like-someone I knew"
Miss Mason's own face was pale now
and her dark eyes shone strangely.
Esther hesitated an instant. then her
firm white chin went up never 30
slightly. II am sure you cannot have
known my people. Miss Mason. You
see. No. 81 East IL q boarding house
and I am merely a working girl My
people are all dead" Her lips quiv-
cred slightly. and Dick Redmond sud
denly dropped his eyes from her face
and twisted his dinner card viciously.
Miss Mason leaned back q little
YEARLY and dropped the girls hand.
II am very sorry." she said gently;
but was sure-you look so like Tom
Mason. he was my cousin"
MY fathers name was Tom Mason
Tom Henry Mason they called him."
said Esther quietly. You see we are
Maryland people. They are all dead
every one save some distant cousins
whom / have never seen"
Miss Mason arose quickly and
slipped her arm around Esthers waist.
my dear GIRL" she half sobbed. Tom
Henry Mason was my cousin-on the
other side Of the house. Dfck-and I
really believe you were named for mo.
There was a Misunderstanding be
tween US which was never cleared up.
Oh. you must come with US now. let
me Introduce nv nephew Dick Red.