Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-08-11
0Nortester 1allp gpp.
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

spent lne uay at Niagara. Ii L had thought
her lovely while sleeping, what was she when
the light OF feeling and expression PLAYED over
her face, and she eoquently admired the scene
before us, or what was even more eloquent
still. don't think looked at the cataract as
much as looked at her, or thought the one
creation more beautiful than the other.
She was now quite familiar with me in her
innocent way, calling me cousin Frank,
and seeming to take certain pleasure in my
society and protection. 1t was delightful to
be greeted SO gladly by her, when l entered
the hotel paror, to have her come forward
from the lonely seat where she had been wait
ing, not unobserved or unnotced, to receive
me-to have her hang on my arm-look up
into my tace-tell me all her little adventures
alone (how long it seemed to me), while every
word, look, and smile, seemed doubly dear to
me, because | knew the prccarious tenure by
which l held my right to them. She busted
herself too, while | was gone out with our
joint baggage, and rummaging all over her
trunks to find box which | had expressed
desire to see. She mended my gloves, sewed
the band on my travelling cap, and found my
cigar case whenever had lost it, which was
about twenty times day, while she scolded
me for the carelessness which she declared al
most equaed her own. Long ago she had
given over into my possession her elegant lit
tie portemonnaie, with all the money i'll it,
which she was sure she would lose, as she
could never keep anything" and as she had
ordered me to take out what was wanted for
her travelling expenses, | opened it with trem-
bling hands when | was alone, and examined
the contents. There were, besides all the bank
bills which she had probably been furnished
with for her journey, and which, with pious
care, she had packed into the smallest possible
compass, and as much gold as her pretty toy
would carry, a tiny pearl ring, too small to fit
any fingers but hers-which | am afraid |
kissed-a card with her name on it, and a
memorandum in pretty "No. = Olive street.
St. Louis" which, as | rightly coniectured,
was the residence of her cousin Jennie, whose
husband l was-a very fortunate discovery for
me. Indeed thus far, 1 had not found the way
of the transgressor hard, in external circum-
stances, at least, and when, with her | forget
everything but grace and beauty, and my firm
resolution to be no more to her than her cousin
should be, but out Of that charmed presence
my conscience made me miserable.
am afraid must sometimes have betrayed
the conflicts Of feeling l had, by my manner
but when | was reserved and ceremonious
with her, she always resented it, and begged
me so bewitchingly not to treat her so, and to
call her by her sweet name FLORENCE" that
had ] dreamed as much as | longed to do,
could not have refused her. But the conscious
ness that | was not as she thought me, but an
impostor, of whom after our connection had
ceased, and she had discovered the deception
practiced upon her, she could think or remem-
Der nothing that would not cause unmerited
selfreproach and modification, all innocent
and trusting as she was, this reflection, more
than any other, | confess, and the knowledge
of the estimation in which she would forever
hold me, after my imposition was discovered,
agonized, and ! would have given all | pos
sessed to own it to her and leave her sight at
once though the thought of never seeing her
Al 4
AT last we reached St Louis. Do | say cat
LAST" When the sight of those spires and
gables warned me that my brief dream Of hap
piness was {over, and that the remorsetu re-
Elections had been staving off so long, Were
now to commence in earnest the thought of
the coming Punishment from Florence was
dreadful to me, and the time seemed to fly on
Lightning wings as it drew near. She was all
gayety, and was astonished at my sadness and
absence Of mind when so near home and Jen-
ME, and when we entered the carriage that
was to convey us to our destination, had half
mind to take a cOwardly flight rather than
encOuni Nthe scorn and appointment of
those bf Xyes; but / mustered courage and
followedN in giving the address found in the
port monnaie, which fortunately was the right
one, to the driver
"Amost homep said she, turning her
bright face towards me-we were rafting up
lu6 SlIeeI anu my uIne was SDOfU--''D0W can
you be so cold and quiet %
Because Miss Florence" l answered, 'the
time has come in which must confess to you
that have no more right in the house to
which we are fastening than to the name by
which you address me, and that my only
claim to either is that of an imposter and de-
ceiyer."
She turned her lovely face, wondering and
puzzled towards me-
Thanh I H. 1.
In it.
No right no claim !" she repeated "what
can you mean"
told her frankly and fully the whole truth
as nearly as | set it down here denying no
thing and concealing nothing, not even the
useless secret OF my love for her. When the
brief recital was ended, we both remained ST.
lent but although she had hidden her face, |
could see that she trembled violently with
shame and repuIsion. The sight of her dis
tress was agony to me, and tried to say few
words of apology.
You cannot blame or hate me, more than
hate and blame myself" said, " for the dis
tress have so unwillingly caused you. Heav.
en- knows that if / accepted the charge of so
much innocence, have heavily atoned since,
i'll having occasioned this suffering to you, and
my own punishment is more than can bear"
The coach stopped as / spoke; she turned
I0WaruS ME eagerly, her lace DedGlnS traces VI
tears, and said in a low voice.
edo not misunderstood me if / was so
silent"
The coachman threw open the door and
stood waiting. | was obliged to descend and
assist her out. hardly dared touch that little
hand. though it was not for the last time, but
watched her graceful figure with sad distress.
She was already recognised, for the door was
thrown OPEN and pretty woman, followed by
a fine looking, black whiskered gentleman,
whom supposed to be my namesake, rushed
down the steps There were loud exclama-
tions of astonishment and pleasure, cordial
welcome and some rapid questions to which
Florence returned very low and quiet answers,
and quickly extricating herself from the con-
fusion presented me as Mr. LIE Roy, your
husbands namesake, and the gentleman who
kindly took charge of me-"
glanced at her face to see if she were mock
ing me, but it was pale and grave Mrs. LIE
Roy opened her eyes widely, but was too well
bred to express surprise, and after introducing
me to her husband in the same terms, invited
me into the house. Hardly conscious of what
did, or anything except that was in the
presence of Florence, from which / could not
endure to Danish myself, ! followed them into
q handsome parlor where sat an old lady,
whom my conscience told me was the rheu-
matte aunt whom | had so cruelty belied. Flor
ence herself presented me TO this lady, who
was a fixture, and unable to rise from her
chair, and before / could stammer an apology
and retire related in her own way (how diff
ferent from mine) the mistake by which she
had been placed in my care, and the history of