Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-01-29
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TRAPPING
A FLIRT
The Trap Didn't Spring the I
Right Way
By JOHN Y. HARMED

Hello, Duncan! You look as radiant
rs morning glory! Had fortune
left your"
Better than thatw
"What could he better than the sud
den coming into lot of money!"
"Sit down and I'll tell you"
This brief dialogue took place in the
cafe Of the u, club In New York
William Duncan led his friend, Ed
ward Archibald, to table, pushed the
button for refreshments and said:
'"ren years ago met a girl of six
teen-I was then twenty-six--who at
tracted me more than any one else
| ever met. She was far beyond her
age in some ways, most especially
in flirting. ! knew she was playing
with me, but 1t didn't make any diff
ference. | became infatuated all the
same. OF course she was too young
to be married, and we drifted apart
but I've never forgotten her. and 1t
has been my intention never to marry
unless | married my little sweetheart
but | have never since that time
found 1t practicable TO renew my suit
| lSivc spent some years I'm South
America. as you know, and more time
In Australia. Besides, | have only
recently come into n financial condl-
ton to enable me to marry. A few
months ago | met an aunt Of my
sweetheart, who chided me for hav-
ing won her niece's affections for pas
time. | assured her that would new
er marry any one else. Through the
aunt we have been placed in corre-
spondence, and ! have Just received
her eliminating letter agreeing to mar
ry me on her return from Europe,
which will be next month"
"Well, now, that's romance and
no mistake. | congratulate you hearth
ly, old man; very heartily" And
Archibald grasped his friends hand
in his viselike grip. May ask the
ladys name?"
Ellison Edith Ellison"
Archibald gave Il slight start
Ever met herY asked Duncan.
mo, but I've heard of her. She
threw friend Of mine over her shout
der"
you don't mean it!'
81 do, and, to make confession, I've
always had a desire to see her caught
in one of her own traps"
Duncan looked grave
"Oh, don't worry" said the other.
"You should feel battered Doubtless
the reason she has declined others is
because she wanted you"
THAT'S comforting, l. assure you.
You say you would like to see her
caught in one Of her own traps. A
plan occurs 10 me- Edith and | have
not met for ten years. Did | say ten?
II will be twelve next month. I'm not
sure she will know me when she sees
me. Suppose we go abroad, meet her,
you as Duncan, | as Archibald-we're
not unlike-and see If you can win her
away from me"
"Now it is you who are nattering
me-"
Nothing OF the kind. If my person
ality won her originally It should hold
her against all Corners"
I'm not so sure about that. Few
girls Of twenty-six would marry the
man they admired at sixteen"
There were more talks between the
two friends on the subject, and Archi-
bald finally consented 10 go abroad
with Duncan and on meeting Miss
Ellison persOnate her fiance, while the
real fiance personated Archibald. Dun
can wrote her TO delay her departure;
that he would join her and come back
with her.
IL was December when the two
friends started for Rome, where the
young lady was spending the winter.
Duncan had changed n good deal In
twelve years. His hair had become
very thin, and he was much heavier
than formerly. He took with him
photograph of himself taken about the
time he first met Miss Ellison, think
ing he might have occasion to use It.
He tried It on several friends, none OF
whom recognized It ms likeness OF
himself.
Archibald insisted that letter be
written TO the lady in Duncan's name
that he would not claim her as his
betrothed or any privilege Of a lance
until awhile after they had met. Time
had changed him, and he thought IL
best that she should have an oppor-
tunlty Of seeing what manner Of man
he had become before feeling bound
10 him. This suited Duncan and the
letter was written
One morning n card bearing the
name Of William Duncan was car
ried to Miss Ellison, who was stay
ing with friends at hotel IN Rome,
and Mr. Archibald followed the card.
The lady advanced with outstretched
hand, but stopped short.
81 am changed" said Archibald. II
knew you would be disappointed In
me-"
"Yes; you are changed, very much
changed. ] would not have supposed
that dozen years could make such n
difference. But OF course I am chang
ed too"
Every little, and whatever change
there is In you has been an improve
ment."
Permit me to return Che comDli-
ment"