The Storyteller.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7926, 15 September 1905, Page 4

The Storyteller.

TUB TWO MISSES BOXNFA, Gertrude Hoimey was preKy. and, »s is the cas-' with most pretty girls, she kept herself land everyone else well aware of tile fact. \Yt that Bhe was over!iranu ft ' a nd proud, liut ill a hundred little ways she- would remind on.' that'Gertnide lionney had lovely guy ives, a straight nose, and a dimpled chin. Wh.n .luck Willet lirst Sm.i her at a hull lie thought he had seen the prettiest woman in the world, fin.l after an introduction had Urn managed. he pruceulcd to f.»U straighway in love with th- pretty damsel. After meeting hir at a number oi i Social gathei injs Mr Willet called one afternoon. "Mis lionnCy w n s at home," the maid t, >1(1 him, and he was siown • into a sunny recepti>n-rooui.! He fjuml it a J re. Illy occupied. A ! toll young ludy in a plain pry div.-s stood holding his Card in her baud. "Mr Willet'?'" she said, ill a sweet low voice. 'I Called to &.<e Miss llonney," repliotl Jack, fumbling with his gfcjves "I niu Miss lkK?ney," answered the girl in grey, anil the smile pass**! from her face. "You probably wish to see my tfster, Miss Gertrude. I .will Sen;! her tio you." And shu left the room. "Is it possible," thought tho young man, "t/iat such a pretty girl as Miss Gertrude Could have such n. —ah—plain sister," And yet livr voiee is delicious. "Ah, good afternoon. Miss Uofiney," as Gertrude Bonney tripped into the room, all smiles and iblue muslin. Mr Willet called many times at tile palatial residence of his divinity, hut he never again saw the elder Miss Bouuey. liy this time he was in the deep waters of love, and as yet he had not contrived to whisper his devotion into th.- shell-like ear of Mis 9 Gertrude, for Willi all her iimoe.-nt glances and ronlidiiiL,' n a )s th.' little beiuty's head Was set st-uaivly ii|nhi her white shoulders, anil she always avoided a Conlid6ntr.il tetf-*rteti>. Thus th- s<r fl liontlisi slip|>Cvl by. and the Hoimeys prepared to move to their country residence. When tie news rvtchcd .lack he d. te.minei to spe a k with Gertrude of his love for her. He nervoush n.uv.il about the little iViinty room awaiting her Coining, and when ,hi* heard ti.e swish of Kkirts outside the dour he hurrie.l forward to greet—Miss Hose Itoriu.y. she handed him a lett. r ; it 1.11: : - "My dear Mr Will-t.-Vou a'" such n good fr:Ci''l of mine tint I tell yon the kw>d n"ws lir-t. To-iunrrow will witness the public anil inurement of mv lo Mr Horace lli'l:ard ' to win 111 I have b>Cn e fauel | u r t'e pis; Six months. Won't you n.C? Trust 11; vou will e.\e.,s.> n.e i.ir Hot appe.'.rins tl'i-i *.iitcraoo*.—Yours sincerely. Gci'tru le llonm'y." Wit'i a .-roan the man <lro|>r cl his hand upon his arm. while drv Sobs shook his fi'aii.e. "Mr Willet the words wcrehardIv more thm a bifath. yet they ca'tsc-1 the man to raise his nead and look at the siieaker. And "<e had once Called her plain ! Her face was wondrously lender and her eyes bripht with sympathy. Tlk: touch of ier slim hand upon Irs arm sent a thrill of comfort through hmi. "You must try to beat it. Mr Willet- 1 know w-hit Gertrude has written I>o not letoo hard .:>n her. She is pretty, ui.il has lioen spoilt. "torsive me." cried Jack contr tclv "W h 'li one si-es yon one wimdera how she could lie so false. ' And he left the room A month later, business eikiiv,' Mr

rilitics of the city, he met Hiss HosC IV. I, . I!,! I,*Xlt of LI llou,sa, a small basket on lier auiv. "Haven I V"' 1 ' i>tCii away, Miss Ik>niti'y ht; "Oil, no," ivpluxl tli<> girl "1 could n o t leave my poor. They r.(pure me i-ven more in tho summer. And I do not accomplish hilf what ( I wish to. It is very hard for one working alone. K seemed but natural aft-t that that ho should meet the elder Miss ItoiiTH'y on many of her errands of HK'i Cv and much hold he was to .her, too. Then came a day when lie met her with a lace eipressi,.g happiness and IK'WS, "Miss Ikimiey," he said, as soon as politeness permitted, "I have n- e\IH'Ctedly Cvtiins into a huge fortune. Hose, the infntuatam which I thought I had tor your sister was merely passing fancy. The \i(Tcct ion 'I hold for you it tnoiv than infatuation. It is i true, manly love. INin't y>u tliiiv I you could 1 to love me a little, ' ' Vhatc., r the girl's answer was it Ueemol to please mail, for !he remarked t<> his pipe late thfit ] night :"Anl I almost missed the real i diamond in the glitter of the tation.