The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1860-03-24
From Godey's Lady's Book.
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE.
BY PAUL LAURIE.

a
1t twas on the evening of the I'd of January
in 1885,, that went to hear the Duchess
Strainervoyce, who, at that time, attracted
the fashionable world to her concerts, fol
no other earthly reason, suppose, than tc
have tito say that they had listened to Q
real duchess, while, at the same time,
firmly sbelieve that superior natiue talent
''went begging" went to hear the Ouch.
ess, partly to kill time, and partly from q
desire to hear and see for myself the mar.
! vellous foreigner whose name was in every
body's mouth. When l reached the concert
room, it was crowded to its utmost capacity
1t was SO closely wedged that one could
have studied anatomy, after fashion, ,merely
from the impression Of your neighbor'l
bones. At the close Of the concert, was
borne along with the crowd, and inmmed
through the doorway at the risk OF breaking
every rib in my body. Ere could escape
from the throng, and while was Struggling
uiy shoulders to assure myself that my collar.
bone was IN its proper position, felt a
hand clasplng my arm, and musical voice
exclaimed: $ You good-for-Gothing,
thought ! had lost you What frightful
jam ! do believe my arm is broken, and
my dress know must be ruined, and all for
the sake of hearing that Strlnsvoyce! |
would not give Miss Dwighs6x Miss Floyd
for world Of Strainervoyces(s was ON
the point Of replying that i agreed with her,
but restrained myself, laughing inwardly ut
the novel position in which was placed,
and wondering who my fair companion
could be. Evidently, she mistook me for
her brother, or, possibly, her husband,
Judging from the familiarity Of her manner.
"Why, Ralph, how forgetful you are Here
is the CUTTER" Then adding, in sympa-
thizing tone, "Forgive me Ralph-your poor
head am sorry made you come" ,s-
"Pardon me, madam, but
80 nonsense, Ralph! You have become
half barbarian since you went to China,
to permit me to seat myself, while you stand
there as if were your wife, and you ten
years married, instead of your sister, whose
ready assistant and attendant-in place Of
better--you should be.'' 'H
"Excuse me, but"
"Ralph, iii catch my death Of cold sitting
here; and such long ride, too" Here
the lady gave a perceptible shiver. $50
muflle me up closer, Ralph, and sit down,
or will" s ..
What she would have done did not wait
closely, waved my hand to the driver, and
away we glided over the crimp sparkling
snow, to the music of the merry sleigh
bells. -.
81 won't ask you to talk to me, with that
headache, but want you to listen to me-"
began my companion, tho moment we
started. 81 wanted to talk to you coming
in, but that little chattlebox, Maggie Wood.
bury, prevented me from saying a word to
you. You remember poor little Milly
Walker, Ralph. Her mother died about
two months ago, and poor Milly has gone to
live with the Deans. MIR. and Mrs. Dean
have been very kind to her, but then they
are poor, and Of course it is impossible for
them to do more than shelter her. How any
one can have the heart to wound Milly
Walkers feelings is q mystery to me, and
yet every occasion that presents itself is
seized upon by the Wares and Kings to in
suit her, even to commenting upon the poor
girls fathers actions, as if she could have
prevented that which occurred twenty years
ago: and have seen Sarah Ware initiating
her walk, regardless of poor Milly's tears.'
could not restrain an exclamation of dis.
gust as listened to this. 81 knew it would
disgust you, Ralph. Well, the doctor says
now that Milly will always be lame-there
can be nothing done for her. l have beer
thinking, ever since her mother died, that
only in time be independent, but famons as
a painter. You should see some Of her at.
tempts. Milly Walker is a genius, Ralph
But that would require money, and where
is the money to come from ? You know
havn't much, Ralph, but have determined
to do something for our old playmate. car
save out of my allowance at least one hun.
dred dollars, and now, if you will give
double that amount, what will that do fol
Milly? | was counting it up, the other day
and, if am correct, it will send her to the
Institute, and pay for the full course
and, at the end of that time, if Milly Walker
is alive, she will show the world what q
woman can do. When lock ut that poor
girl, with her rare mind and her craving fol
knowledge, | cannot help thinking how
| superior she Is to me, mere idler; and
sometimes think that, if she had my place
and hers, there would be more justice il
the distribution of the worlds goods an(
comforts. Don't say Pm silly and senti
mental, Ralph. know you will give your
share towards Milly's education, like a goot
brother, as you are. have been talking
to her about it, and know can manag,
it SO as to overrule any scruples she ma,
have against receiving anything from u.s.
Here my companion became quiet, ant
the question presented itself to my mind
"How am to escape from this awkward
position honorably? Here have beer
guilty of listening to a communication in
tended for the ear Of another-have beer
guilty of an inexcusable deception, practice,
upon stranger and lady knowingly
Perhaps the honest plan would be to acquain
her at once with the mistake. and solicit be
pardon" had at last summond courag
sufficient to clear my throat, and was abou
to commence my wellstudied speech, whel
my companion gave a little laugh, as sh
said
"Really, Ralph, you are very entertainiD:
in your own peculiar way but if you ar
as dumb when you are in the presence o
Miss Vincent as you have been tonight
she is to be pitied rather than enviea. Yo,
are little better than barbarian! Blu
here we are at Uncle Graham's, and yo1
/ pio"loSu w esoP "ish S"iiiO w
night, SO you will have no one to bother yo'
the remainder of the road. How singula
you do act, tonight. Ralph! Well won
tease you any more"
Suddenly, the driver drew up before a1
elegant residence, and, imagining iperceive'
loop. hole whereby might escape from
my awkward predicament, sprang out o
the cutter, aud assisted the lady to tn
ground.
sIs your head still aching, Ralph? Goo,
night. Why, you forgot to kiss me-" A
the fair face was upturned to mine, with it,
tempting lips awaiting the kiss, pressed
my shawl down from my mouth suddenly
and and as suddenly felt my head down t.
receive the most delicious kiss chat ever wa
bestowed by maiden. "You need not wait
Carrie is comiDg-l hear her," said m
companion as she tripped up the steps, Will
stood irresolutely beside the cutter.
"Then, my dear fellow" l mental
circulated, ''it is time you were off," And
seating myself in the cutter once more
glided over the sparkling snow, but whithe
| knew not. | only knew that had lost
charming companion, whose lips, momen
since, were pressed against my own, ant