some practical joke upon them.

That he had a cousin who so cleverly resembled him that even those who
had known Lester intimately for long years should be so cleverly
deceived by him seemed almost incredible. Margery hid her face in her
trembling hands while her father gave Lester a full account of what had
transpired, while the latter's emotion was great; and his distress
intense, upon learning that Kendale had dared betroth himself to Margery
in his name, and that the gentle-hearted girl had learned to care for
the scamp, despite her repugnance to him at first.

Lester thought it best, under the circumstances, to confide in full to
Margery and her father concerning his own love affair, lest they might
expect him to carry out the contract his cousin had made in regard to
marrying his old friend's pretty daughter.

Margery's next words, however, set his troubled heart at rest in that
respect.

She looked up at him suddenly through her tears, saying shyly:

"There is another who cares for me, not knowing of this affair, one whom
I once thought I could love. Yesterday he wrote me a letter, asking for
my heart and hand.

"Last night I wrote him a reply, saying 'No,' and telling him why. I
shall destroy that letter to-night, thankful enough that I did not have
time to send it. And my answer will then be 'Yes.'"

"You have my best wishes for your happiness, little Margery," said
Lester, adding smilingly: "And when; the wedding occurs, which I hope
will be soon, you may, expect a very handsome present from me."

Long after Mr. Conway and his unexpected visitor had finished their
simple breakfast, they talked over the strange situation of affairs, and
what was best to be done to avoid great publicity.

"The bogus Lester Armstrong went to Beechwood last night," said the old
cashier. "He probably will remain there, as is his custom, until to-day
noon. You had better confront him there; meanwhile I will break the
amazing story to those of the establishment whom it is absolutely
necessary to tell. The rest of the employees and the public at large
need never know of the glaring fraud that was so cleverly practised
under their very eyes."

Lester had sprung to his feet trembling with excitement, at the
information that Kendale had gone to the home of Faynie, despite the
fact that Mr. Conway had assured him that Kendale was not married.

"Only yesterday he told me he contemplated marriage with a little
heiress out at B