Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-03-12

A FLIRT
The Trap Didn't Spring the
Right Way
By JOHN r. HARMED

as Il moTulnS SiOTy' hdu u iOrIune
left your"
Better than that
"What could be better IMAM the sud
den coming into a lot OF money!
"Sit down and I'll tell you"
This brief dialogue took place in the
cafe of the B. club in New York.
William Duncan led his friend. Ed
ward Archibald. TO a table, pushed the
button for refreshments and said;
'Ten years ago | met a girl of six
teen-I was then twenty-six-who at
tracted me more than any one else
l ever met. She was far beyond her
age in some ways, most especially
in flirting. | knew she was playing
with me. but it didn't make any diff
ference. l 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 l married my little sweetheart.
but | have never since that time
found it practicable to renew my suit.
I uUfC spent oOlhC JCAAo III 0O0AA
America, as you know. and more time
in Australia. Besides, l have only
recently come into a financial condi-
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 CORE
s~pondence. and l have just received
her eliminating letter agreeing to mar
~ me on her return from Europe,
which will be next month"
well now. that's a romance and
no mistake. / congratulate you hearth
ly. old man; very heartily" And
Archibald grasped his friends hand
in his viselike grip. May l ask the
lady's manner"
''Ellison-Edith Ellison"
Archibald gave a slight start.
Ever met herY' asked Duncan.
mo, but I've heard of her. She
threw a friend of mine owe her shout
DER
You don't mean it,!
Il dc. and. to make q confession, I've
always had a desire to see her caught
in one of her WI traps"
Duncan looked grave.
''Oh. don't worry" said the other.
You should feel fattered. Doubtless,
the reason she has declined others is
because she wanted you"
That's comforting, | assure yon.
You say Won would like to see her
caught in one of her own traps. A
plan occurs to me. Edith and | have
not mel for ten years. Did | say ten?
1t viii 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 Acknowledgements
not u%nlike-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
atty won her originally II 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 to go abroad
with Duncan and on meeting Miss
Ellison personate her fiance, while the
real fance ~personated Archibald. Dun
can wrote her to delay her departure;
that he would join her and come back
with her.
It was December when the two
friends started for Rome, where the
young lady was spending the winter.
Duncan had changed a 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 1t.
He tried 1t on several friends. none of
whom recognized it as a likeness of
himself.
Archibald insisted that a letter be
written to the lady in Duncan's name
that he would not claim her as his
betrothed or any privilege of a iance
unJl dWulle aIIeT lney udu met. 1lme
had changed him. and be thought 1t
best that she should have an oppor-
tunity of seeing what mi of man
he had become before feeling bound
to him. This suited Duncan. and the
letter was written.
One morning a card bearing the
name of William Duncan was car.
ried to Miss Ellison. who was stay
ing with friends ut a hotel in Rome.
and Mr.. Archibald followed the card
The lady advanced with outstretched
hand. but stopped short
II am changed" said Archibald. Il
knew you would be disappointed in
me-
Yes; you are changed very much