New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-11-08
Why Mr.. Carbon Said to Dicky ~
Cannot Tell You What This


Means to Me-
do not be alarmed-I am all right
only a momentary faintness, 1 as
sure yOu.'
Mr.. Gordon, the mysterious stran-
ger, who after trailing my movements
and staring me out Of countenance for
several days, had finally secured an
introduction to Dcky, and through
him to me, opened his eyes and
smiled at us wanly.
knew that Dicky was as much re-
lieved as I at our guests return to
self command. That he was resent
full as well as mystif1ed at the singular
behavior of Mr.. Gordon I also cleaned
from his darkened face and a little
steeIy CLINT in his eyes.
I could not blame Dicky. Mr.. Cor
don's actions were extraordinary. He
had explained his persistent pursuit
of me by saying my resemblance to a
very dear friend of his boyhood was
most startling; then, when he had
asked my name before marriage, and
I had replied, Margaret Spencer" he
had reeled as if suddenly smitten, and
we had thought that he was about to
faint away.
II hope that you will forgive me-"
Mr.. Gordon went on, and his rich
voice was so filled with regret and
humility that 1 felt my heart soften
toward him.
Il trust you have not gained the
impression that my nom entary faint
ness had anything to do with your
name,' he said. my attack at that
time was merely a coincidence. I am
subject to these spells of faintness. I
hope this one did not alarm you"
"Your Mothers Name
He looked at me directly as if ex-
pecting an answer.
II am not easily alarmed" I re-
turned, trying hard to keep out of
my voice anything save the indifferent
courtesy which one would bestow
upon a stranger, for the atmosphere
Of mystery seemed deepening about
this stranger and me. I did not be-
lieve he had spoken the truth when he
said that my utterance Of my maiden
name, in response to his question, had
nothing to do with his faintness. I
was as certain as I was of anything
that it was the utterance of that
name, the revelation Of my identity
thus made to him that caused his
emotion. I sat thrilled. tense, in an
ticipation of revelations to follow.
Mr.. Gordons voice was quiet, but
poignant little thrill ran through it
which I caught as he spoke again.
"Was not your mothers name
Margaret Beckett, and your fathers
Charles Spencer?' he asked.
"You are quite correct" [ forced
the words through lips stiffened by ex-
element.
saw Dicky look at me curiously,
almost impatiently, but I had no eyes,
no ears, save for the mysterious
stranger who was quizzing me about
my parents.
''My Other Self
One of Mr. Gordon's hands was be-
meath the table; as he was sitting
rext to me saw what no one else did
that the long, slender, sensitive
fingers pressed themselves deeply, |
quiveringly into the palm at my affir-
nation of his question. But except for
that momentary grip there was no
evidence of excitement in his de-
raeanor as he turned to me.
st thought so,' he said quietly. 'T
have found the daughter of the dear
est friends I ever had. Your re-
semblance to your mother is mar ,
vellous. I remember that you looked !
much like her when you were a tiny |
girl"
you were at our home in my |
childhood, them" I asked, wondering !
If this might be the explanation of
my uncanny notion that I had some
time in my life seen this man bending
over his denli-tasse, aus he had done a
few minutes before
"Oh, yes" he said, your mother, as
| have told you, was the dearest friend
l ever had. And your father was my |
other self-then-"
His emphasis upon the word then"
gave me quick stab Of pain. for it |
recalled the odium with which every |
one who had known my childhood |
seemed to.regard the memory OF my |
fatherkn 1