The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-02-05
A Mistaken
Identity
By F. A. Mitchell

Arnold uc!ier aged nineteen, met
and wooed Alice Brainard, aged six
teen. Both being too young to marry
so their parents thouglt-consent vas
given to The match only on condition
that they part. not to sec each other
for two years. If they were Their of
the same mind no objection would be
raised TO their union. They We're not
to correspond. except during the last
week Of tie two years separation. at
which time they would need to make
arrangements for their meeting.
One morning Albert Tucker (not a
relative nor even an acquaintance Of
the said Arnold Tucker was handed a
letter by a postalln addressed in a
feminine hand ana asked if it belong,
ed 10 him. The writing was 50 indis-
tinct that Tucker could not be sure.
but replied by taking it in with other
letters handed him ut the same time.
On opening it he read ~lhessample an
"nounccnlent:
will be nj the Grand hotel on Tuesday
and shall be pleased to see YOU that even
ing. You Will lind me in Parlpr b, second
floor, at s o'clock. ALICE.
Albert Tucker knew Il great many
girls, Il number of whom he had made
love to for the purpose. us he express
cd it, OF passing the time. and was not
conscious of amy of them accepting his
attentions through any more serious
motive. He did not remember any
particular Alice, nor did lie recognize
the c~lirosraphy. He simply made Il
mental note OF the appointment and
when the evening came around reach
ed the Grand hotel at S O'Clock and
went to parlor b.
\ young lady whom he had
seen before rose from her seat with Il
happy smile to meet him, but the smile
faded into Il look of p~erpleXity.
II never believed" She said, that
two short years could have so changed
YOU"
If Albert Tucker was anything he
Was gallant.
1.-Two long years, you mean"
Have they been long to you?" some
thing OF the smile returning With Il
faint blush.
Each has been an eternity"
The lady looked up tenGcrIy out of
Il pairs of heavens blue eyes. Bert
did not mistake; it would have been
brutal for him to mistake-at least so
he considered it. He bent forward and
kissed her lips.
Meanwhile he wa ~iacISing his brain
20 place the girl among those to whom
he had on some previously forgotten
occasion made love. He could enc
ber Il Betty. II Louise, an Ethel. but no
Alice. AS for the last %patronymic he
could remember only two of them. Miss
Brainnrd resembled Il girl he had met
ut a house party at the home of his
friend Charles Heale Il couple of years
before and had become spoons with.
He suspected that she. was this girl,
but was rot sure. He determined 20
take II risk to find out.
Il would not suppose" he said. that
so much would happen since that de
IigE'tful period we spent at Charlie's."t
":Charlie, What Charlie"
True, you we're not with us at
Charlie neale's. Two years is Il long
while. especially when parted from one
we love, Events become confused"
Il hope persons have not become
confused III your case. Was there some
girl with whom you remember to have
had Il delightful %period?'"
Not ut all. Now | remembers; it was
II stag party"
~ stag party. Do men have delight
full remembraMceS of stag parties?
But this is not pertinent to our meet
ing. The question with us is, Having
been parted for two wears. having
F-grown older. do we wish to accept the
promise made us when We separately"
Bert would have given worlds to
know what that promise was; indeed.
he must know what it was or give up
this struggle at pretense.
Il have forgotten" he stamlnered.
just what that promise was"
Had an ice bolt becn shot between
the two it could not have effected a
greater change. The girl started. then
recoiled from him.
What have | done?" he gasped.
what have you done? You have
stabbed me to the heart: While l have
counted the months, the weeks, the
Gays till we might take advantage of
that promise, you have forgotten what
it was. Oh. heavens! What shall |
dog
She threw herself OF Il sofa and bur-
led her face in the cushions.
There is something wrong here"
said Bert in desperation. care you
sure l am
She started W. You are Arnold?"
II am not. | am Tucker"
Arnold Tucker, and you have for
GOTTEN
I'm Albert Tucker"
"Albert?"
Commonly called Bert. And now,
for heavens sake, do tell me who you
are! l must admit l can't place YOU"
Tucker never forgot that whitening
look.
1t was some time before Miss Brain
ard deigned to inform him who she
was. and there was an explanation.
Tucker was a cool chap. He apollo
,r;vod FOR. hic chara of tho n1icfaEo