The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-06-11

Stl4. Sne threw nerSelI Into my arms
her arms fell around my neck-her
velvet cheek touched mine-and such
kiss as she planted full on my lips! My
face was in blaze. I felt as if had been
stewed in honey with lavender for fla
voring.
She repeated the kiss-the muni6cent
little angel l-exclaiming:
"Dear, dear Richard How delighted
| am that you have come at last ]"
was dumb. My mouth was sealed
up with the sweetness of her kisses. |
dared not speak lest [ should dissolve
the spell
"We have been expecting you for four
whole days. Only think what period
of suspense" went on the soft voice of
the lady, as, clasping my hand, she drew
me INCREASINGLY to phaeton in waiting.
"There, make yourself easy, I'm going to
drive. Isn't it pleasant to be waited on,
Richard 2"
The arch brown eyes sought mine, as,
drawing up the fur-lined robes, my COM
panion shook the reins over the white
horses, and we were whirled rapidly away.
"Papa is so anxious to see you once
more, Richard but his rheumatism is
worse to-day, and he could not drive down.
William is absent on an errand for the
bride. But [ would come. [ wanted so
SO much to be the first one to greet you,
dear Richard. Alice is so beautiful and
so deeply, beautifully happy! Richard,
you ought to be the most grateful man
alive v'
"I-I-kelieve I am p exclaimed I.
as reaching up her sweet face, the little
enchaatress favored me with another kiss,
which, this time, l repaid with compound
interest, and then blushed boiling hot to
think of.
At this moment the phaeton stopped at
the door of fine old mansion on an aris-
tocratic street; and, mechanically, l
alighted and lifted out my companion
The hall door was flung open. The
clasping hand of the young lady drew me
within the vestibule; her musical voice
called softly at the door of Joudoir,
calico, Richard has come p
Instantly the door flew open, and a
dark haired, beautiful woman came forth.
She gazed at me an instant with unutter-
able tenderness, and then embraced me,
with mingling of fervor and shyness
absolutely bewildering.
Verify, [ was favored individual.
An elderly gentleman, supporting him,
self by cane, now came forward and sa-
luted me, calliug me his "dear son." and
cutting short everything [ attempted to
say by his joyful volubility.
The folding doors separating the sit
ting-room and parlors were thrown apart.
heard the subdued hum Of voices, the
rustling of heavy silks, aud, waiting in
the allowed arch in an east window, saw
a clergyman in gown and bands.
! The elderly gentleman took the hand of
the dark 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 afterward. The guests are already
getting impatient"
[ glanced at Alice's dress. It was
bridal white; and her beautiful hair was
crowned with awreath of orange blossoms.
The sight gave me tremor. [ felt
weak and faint, My pallor must have
alarmed Alice, for she clutched my arm
wildly, and gazed into my face with pain
ful anxiety.
"What is it, Richard {? Are you i'll ?
Mercitul heaven Helen, look at him
He is ill p'
at is nothing-nothing !" I gasped.
"Only, cannot-cannotm marry you! L"
"Oh, HEAVIER" T" cried Alice, in Mortified
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 room ! My exact Counterpart
Richard Smith, number two.
His fierce eyes took in the scene at one
swooping glance. He rushed toward me
with wild ejaculation, and, tearing the
half -fainting Alice from my arms, he
| planted his firm grasp on my throat. I
put my hand on the same locality of his
body.
"What are you doing?" he thundered
in my ear.
"What are you doing?" I thundered
in response.
"Your life shall pay the forfeit !" he
exclaimed, with mad violence. "The
man who has dared to win Alice Here
ford's love shall die !'
"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 ?"
II am" rcnlied I