Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-12-24

he hoped the lady would be careful not
to let the matter get out since his
lordship had so far honored him as to
tell him that he had won the heart and
hand of one of Americas fairest daugh-
tiers and an exposure during Tinter-
toms absence might cause q good deal
Of trouble. The note was signed Hen
nv Beaverton, secretary"
When Ned returned to his dancee
she told him of her correspondence
with his secretary and expressed de-
sire to see the man who had been so
successful In personating- him. Ned
held his breath till the story was fin
ished. then remarked with perfect as
surance that Beaverton was very use
full to him when an avalanche Of invi-
tations came down, and he didn't know
what he would do without him. He
came of an excellent family In Eng
land, and his breeding rendered him
capable of playing the part Of king.
Miss Merlweather approved his lord
ships plan Of escaping the hordes of
persons who were hunting him and
expressed desire to meet his secre-
tary. She asked his lordship to extend
to Mr.. Beaverton an invitation for her
to dinner. 1t this Ned looked blank,
but only for moment. saying that he
would be most happy to do so. He
was commissioned to ask Mr.. Brewer
ton to dine on the first day that he had
no other engagement
On leaving his flancce Ned at once
sought Lord Tinterton and pressed his
hand gratefully. praising his marvel
Gus tact and ingenuity in getting him
out of the scrape. But We are not
out of the woods" said Ned There
are more quicksands to get over. I
say this because by your letter 10 Miss
Meriweather you are now involved
with me. have promised to bring
you-my secretary-ha, hal-tO dine
with my fiancee. Isn't 1t funnyP"
"But, man." said his lordship ear
nestly. when are we going to reach
the denouementT'
1.-THE denouementi There Is an adj
age Never try to cross bridge till
you get to It. Let that be our guide"
His lordship was not treasured by
this, but since he saw no way out OF
the matter and had the advantage OF
being the real lord, while Ned was the
spurious one, he gave him authority
to accept the dinner invitation for him.
It Is to be confessed that, notwith-
standing this advantage, Tinterton on
meeting Miss Meriweather was less at
ease than Ned. who introduced him
with flourish and bestowed upon him
encomums that made his lordship
VINCE considering that he was sim
ply man OF the world bent on pleas
ure But when the lady indicated by
her manner that she was especially
taken with the secretary 1t was Neds
turn to vince, and he felt like bestow-
ing on his rival blows instead Of
praises
However. the dinner passed of with
out anything occurring to give away
these two precious deceivers and there
was no I'll feeling except bit Of 1eal-
ousy on Ned's part. This was stimu-
lated by Miss Meriweather inviting
the secretary TO go with her for spin
In her car the following morning. Ned
departed in company with his rival
with his nose In the air, and, n0twith-
standing the delicate position he occu-
pied, had the latter not been very good
natured. would have quarreled with
him.
When Tinterton returned to his room
after the drive with Miss Meriweather
he found Ned waiting for him Tin
terton did everything to reassure Ned
that he was not trying to win his girl
away from him. but the green monster
had fastened his fangs on Ned's heart
and would not let 90 his grip. Tinter-
ton bore u message to Ned from Miss
Meriwea'her that she desired him to
call upon her the same evening.
Ned believed that she had accepted
him, supposlng him to be a lord, bus
Notwithstanding this faith was about
to throw him over for lords secre-
tary. with whom she had become in
fatuated. lie would have stayed away,
thus rendering 1t incumbent on her to
write him his dismissal, but he was
certain Of nothing. and curiosity
prompted him to go to her
On being ushered into the drawing
room, what was his surprise to sec
Tinterton sitting with Miss Meriweath-
er. Ned entered with n scowl at the
nobleman and look Of contemptuous
reproach at the lady. Both rose as
the spurious lord entered, Tlnterton
looking embarrassed. Miss Merlweath-
er maintaining reserved dignity.
Il have sent for you, Lord Tinter-
ton" she said to Ned, ito make con-
fession. Captlvated with the idea OF
being Lady Tinterton, accepted your
offer without loving you. I have de-
cided that this would be unjust 10 you:
therefore,
"You have transferred your affec-
tons to that blooming Engllshman."
Both the real Tinterton and Miss
Meriweather burst into laugh. Ned,
red as beet. turned and was stalk
ing out Of the room when Miss Merl-
weather threw her arms about him
and held him.
"That was an awful gamo for you
to play" she said. land didn't see
1t till the day invited you and the
real Lord Tlnterton TO dinner Yes
terday when we drove out together 1
conhded my knowledge Of the situa-
tion to him. suppose should have
you arrested for false pretenses, but
instead p
With her arms still around Ned's
neck II was evident what she Intended.
Ned stepped from hall bedroom
into a four story stone front house.
His motto H. "DighOnpqfv Ia tha Hast