Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-05-30

reaching up her sweet face, the little en-
chantress favored me with another kiss
which, this time, repaid. with compound
interest. and llen blushed boiling hot tc
think of.
A. this moment the phaeion stopped at
the door of fine old mansion on an aristo.
cratic street; and, mechanically, aiighted
and lifted out my companion.
The hall door was flung open. The clasp.
ing hand Of the young lady drew me within
the vestibule; her musical voice called soft.
ly at the door of boudoir.
"Alice, Richard has come r
Instantly the door flew open, and dark.
haired, beautiful woman came forth. She
gazed at me an instant with unu,terabe
| tenderness, and then embraced me, with a
miugling of lervor and shyaess absolutely
bewilderine.
Verify, was favored individual.
| An elderly gentleman, supporting him
self with cane, now came forward and sa.
luted me, calling me his ''dear son." and
cutting short everything | attempted to say
by his joyful volubility.
The folding dvors separating the sitting.
room and parlors were ihrowr apart.
heard the subdued hum of voices, the rust
ling of heavy silks, and, waiting in the al
eoyed arch in the east window, i saw a
clergyman in gown and bands.
/ The elderly gentleman took the hand oi
the dsrk-haired Alice and placed it in mine
Take her" he said, with emotion, "and
may God prosper you. We will have the
most important thing first, and dinner after.
ward. The guests are already getting i'm
patient"
| glanced at Alice's dress. twas bridal
white; and her beautiful hair was crowned
with wreath OF orange blossoms.
The sight gave me tremor. fell weak
and faint. My pallor must have
alarmed Alice, for she clutched my
irm wildly, and gazed into my face with
painful anxiety.
"What is it, Richard? Are you i'll P
Mercitu heavenl Helen, look at him He
is i'll p
at is nothingAncthingi' Igasped. "on-
ly, | cannot--cannot marry you! l."
"Oh, heaven ]" cried Alice. in horrified
dismay; and seeing she was about to fall,
flung my arm around her for support.
AT this moment the hall door was opened,
and, turning at the sound, | saw, with my
own eyes, my second self enter the ruom
My exact counterpart. Richard Smith,
number two.
His fierce eyes took ia the scene at one
swocping glance. He rushed toward me
with wild ejaculation, and, tearing the
half-fainting Alice from my arms, he pant.
ed his firm grasp on my throat. put my
hand on the same locality OF his body.
"What are you doing!" he thundered in
my ear.
"W hat are yos doing'" thundered, in
response.
"YoGr life shall pay the forfeit 2 he ex-
claimed, with mad violence. The man who
has dared to win Alice Hereford's love
shall die p
"Gentlemen." interrupted the sweet voice
of her whom they had called Helen, ''be
patient, there is some mistake. Which OF
you is named Richard smith z"
Il am replied |.
Il an" replied my counterpart
"But which of you is Richard ShAith-
the son OF Archibald Smith 7"
II am" said my second self
'And | am not, said / my father was
named RoOert."
Helen looked at me moment, half in
doubt, evidently, how to treat me after what
had occurred. Finally she held out her
hand -
Al beg your pardon, Mr.. Smith; it was
all careless mistake OF my own. Can
you forgive meS"
| thought OF the kisses she had given me,
and wished that the same mistake might be
made over again, though was wise enough
not to make known my wish.
''Let me explain" She continued, frankly
"We were expecting my brother Richard
home from the South, where he has been
some four or five months past, and we're
quite sure he would arrive on the train
which brought your He has been some
years eli gagged TO Miss Hereford, and the
marriage ceremony was to take place imme-
dIatey on his ARRIVAL. went down TO the
depot to we come him, aud because OF the
striking similitude in your respective per-
sonai appearance, | mistcok stranger for
my brother. That is all. Brother Richard,
Alr. Smith is entirely blamless OF any wrong.
We gave HIM no time tor explanation. Let
me present you TO each other as friends"
My counterpart shook hands with me,
and begged my pardon for disocating my
neck-te. l granted it, and begged his par
don tor committing like degradation on his
neck-tie. And then, at sign from the ell
dery gentleman, we all walked into The
drawing. room, where, in brief space OF
time, my counterpart was made the husband
Of his blushIng Alice.
L he acquaintance SO singularly begun
with the otuth family, soou ripened INTO
friendship, and became one OF the most
precious OF life blessings to me.
Helen Smith had kissed ME, and she
could not iorsetit. Ii man can get
woman TO think OF him--it hardly matters
in what waJ he has claim on her and
so it was in my case. | believe that new
er met Helen Uut she blushcd at the men,
ory which stole over her.
Three months after our first meeting.
she kissed me again and called me 'Dear
Richard" And this time she was well
aware that she was not addressing her
brother.
Is it fortunate, or an unfortunate thing,
to have a Counterpart: When L think OF
the boarding g-house-keeper, | say, mos"
but when | look at Helen aud recall the
circunl .tauteS of our iutroduftiou 1 am ac-