The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-01-04

again At any rate. probably can
learn something about her" he con-
cluded
He arrived at the same time as an
other group CT diners, AND one saiG:
81 suppose you have heard of Miss
Meads engagement"
Edith Mead?"
The other nodded. Yes; to young
Dillon, the Pittsburg millionaire, who
has been dancing attendance"
Good match, all around" Bramley
found himself saying, All the while
he was thinking tensely: Edith
the Edith l have loved! Well. maybe
it's a good thing my proposal went
astray, for 1t has saved us both the
modification of a rejection
This thought brought him back to
the object of his evenings quest. He
had no chance before dinner of max
ing inquiries, direct or otherwise, con
corning the mysterious girl to whom
he had unwittingly proposed. As soon
as he reached the drawing-room he
was cornered by his hostess niece, a
vivacious bright-eyed debutante. who
kept up running fire of small talk
until dinner was announced.
1t was not till they were seated at
the dinner table that he was able to
see who were the guests. Across
from him was Edith Mead, radiant,
distinguished, with the millonaire's
diamond sparkling on her third finger.
Searchngly, his eyes traversed the
long table. Suddenly he caught his
breath. Next their host sat the coun-
terpart of Edith Mead There was the
lashed dark eyes, the same willowy
grace. Yet, despite their striking sim
ilarity, there was a subtle difference.
1t was as if this other girl had been
cast in mold which produced less
clear-cut beauty, but the slight irreg-
ularity of features contained more
womanly sweetness than Edith Mead's
had ever possessed.
He was reused from his musing by
the voice of his hostess asking: rs
your mother going north this sum-
mer, Edith?"
Two pairs of brown eyes looked up
interrogatively.
DO you mean my cousins or
mine?" archly inquired Miss Mead
Mrs. Waldron laughed. Il had for
gotten that you and Miss Carson were
both named Edith. Isn't it often con
fusing?"
Yes, indeed, We have great fun
over our similarity of names and APP
pearance. When we went to college
it was hard to convince people we
We're only cousins"
The conversation drifted into other
channels, and though he took his part,
Hramley was covertly studying Miss
Carson rs he now knew her name to
be. lie compared the two girls. And
oddly enough, she seemed the real
love, Miss Mead the passing fancy.
Maybe my absurd bunder will
bring me great happiness after all
if | can win her" he thought
At that moment Miss Carson met
his glance with an amused, enigmati-
cal smile. Certainly there was moth
ing lovelorn in her manner.
Perhaps she, too, was merely tri-
fling like the other" was Bramley S
disconnected thought, and resolved to
put the question to a test at his ear
lest opportunity. 1t was with great
Impotence that he awaited the end
of dinner, and the time before the men
Joined the women seemed interim.
nable.
At last he was free to seek her. He
asked her to sit out a dance with him,
and though the laughing light came
again to her eyes, she consented.
Resolutely, he led the way to the Sc,
cluded nook OF the piazza where they
had met before
81 am waiting for my answer, Miss
Carson" he began, when they were
seated on the bench overlooking the
bay.
She laughed lightly. care you sure
it is really and not my cousin you
want?"
Under cover of the sheltering dark
ness he felt the hot blood rush to his
face. $50 she knew them" he
thought, but answered quietly: ut is
you | want, Miss Carson"
'But | am not the one you meant to
ask the other night"
"Why do you think so?"
Il am sure. Something in your
voice, quality of surprise, told me as
you turned away. | am quick to de-
tect such mistake, for my cousin and
! are so often taken for each other"
He squared his shoulders manfully.
Il acknowledge the truth, Miss Car
son. | was mistaken then, but am in
earnest now
There was no moon tonight, so he
OWNED rather than saw the sudden
seriousness of her face.
Il honor your chivalry too much,
Mr.. Bramley, to expect you for mo-
ment to stand by your declaration"
"But I wish TO-" he answered, oy-
ishly. When ! saw you together this
evening, / realized you were the one
really loved Won't you give me a
chance to try to win you, Edith?"
For moment there was tense ST.
lence. Then their hands met and
chung together as she said:
when you first spoke, IL knew
you were my dream-man come true"