Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin

“Why—good heavens girl! How in the world did you escape?�. Dorothy Dixon heard the low eager whisper at her elbow but disregarded it. She was intent on selecting a tie from the colorful rack on the counter before her. She spoke to the clerk:. “I’ll take this one and that’ll make four. I hope Daddy will approve my taste in Christmas presents� she smiled and laid a bill on her purchases.. “But—please dear tell me! Don’t you know I’m worried crazy? Who let you out?�. This time Dorothy felt a touch on her arm. She wheeled quickly to face a tall slender young fellow of twenty-two or three. As she stared at him half indignant half wondering she saw sincere distress in his brown eyes and in the lines of his pleasant face. Hat in hand he waited anxiously for an answer to his question while the crowd of holiday shoppers poured through the aisles about them.. Dorothy’s eyes softened then danced. “It seems to me� she said “that you have the wires twisted—it’s not I who’ve escaped but you! Run along now and find your keeper. You’re evidently in need of one!�. “Your change and package miss� the impersonal voice of the haberdashery clerk intervened and Dorothy turned back to the counter.. “But why on earth are you acting this way Janet?� The strange young man was at her elbow again.. Once more Dorothy turned swiftly toward him but when she spoke her eyes and voice were serious. “Do you really mean to say you think you’re speaking to Janet Jordan? Because—�. “My dear—what are you trying to tell me?� He broke in impatiently. “I certainly ought to know the girl I’m going to marry!�. Dorothy nodded slowly. “I agree with you—you ought to—but then you see you don’t!�. The young man crushed his soft felt hat in his hands and took a step nearer to her. “Look here—what is the matter with you? I know you’ve been through a lot but—� He broke off abruptly a gleam of horror and suspicion in his honest eyes. “Janet! What have they done to you?�. Dorothy laid a firm hand on his arm. “Sh! Be quiet—listen to me.� Then she added gently—“I am not Janet Jordan your fiancee.�. “You’re not—!�