Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1863-06-04

anu VIC qucSClOH pIcbcHtcu AeocA W my
mind. isH
GLOW am / to escape from this awk
ward position honorably? Here have
been guilty of listening to a communi-
cation intended for the ear Of another
have been guilty of an inexcusable
deception, practiced upon stranger and
lady knowingly. Perhaps the most
honest plan would be acquaint her at
once with the mistake, and solicit her
pardon. !"
| had at last summoned couarge sufi-
cient to clear my throat, and was about
to commence my we'll studied speech,
when my companion gave a little laugh, as
she said
"Really, Ralph, you are entertaining
in your own peculiar way; but if you
are as dumb when in the presence of
Miss Vernon as you have been tonight,
she is to be pitied rather than envied.
You are little better than barbarian
But here we are at Uncle's and you
know | promised to spend the evening
there"
SuddeAy the driver drew up before
an elegant residence, and imagining |
perceived loop-hole whereby | might
escape from my awkward predicament, |
sprarg out of the brougham and assisted
the lady to alight.
"Is your head still aching, Ralph ?
Why, you forgot to kiss me p
AS the fair face upturned to mine,
with its tempting lips awaiting the kiss,
I pressed the shawl from my mouth sud-
denly, and as suddenly felt my head
drawn to receive the most delicious kiss
that was ever bstowed by maiden.
"You need not wait; the door is open,
and there stands Carrie, bless her Y said
my companion, as she tripped up the
steps, while | stood irresolutely beside the
broueham.
"Then, my dear fellow" I mentally
calculated 'it is time you were off,
Seating myself in the brougham once
more | was again driven off, but whittier
I knew not. [ only knew that | had
lost charming companion, whose lips
moment since were pressed against my
own, and who, in all probability, | might
never meet again. And when ] recalled
her generous sympathy for the poor lame
Girl, [ longed to know more of her
Then again, my cheeks tinglcd when |
remembered the deception | had prac-
ticed. And what would she think of me
upon ascertaining-as she certainly must
the truth?
NV speculations were. however, cut
short by the abrupt stopping of the
brougham, whereupon stepped out lei
surely picking from the bottom of the
carriage as I did so an exouisitely en-
broidered handkerchief. Upon looking
at it closely I perceived the initials &c.
w" in one of the corners | was re-
minded of my situation at that moment
by the drivers inquiring "if Mr.. Ralph
would wanthim any more to night so |
merely shook my head turned away
from him, and walked homeward.
Evidently | bore strong resemblance
to Mr.. Ralph, whoever he was. True,
my cap was drawn firmly, almost CON
cealing my eyes, and the lower part of
my face was muffied up in heavy
shawl.
The night was 'nipping," and re-
membered that walk of four miles lay
between me and Albany, walked brisk
ly. had proceeded about mile, when
[ observed gentleman approaching as
rapidly as myself. As he drew nearer
| was struck with his resemblance to me
height size, and dress, even to the
wrap around his neck, and the but
tons upon his coat were the exact
counter part of my own. | think the
resemblance must have struck him at
this time, we involuntarily paused, sean
ming each other closely and curiously
and then strobe on. "Mr. Ralph" [
said to mpself, as I turned to look at
him. Singularly enough, Mr.. Ralph
was at that moment looking at me. Ere
| reached my chambers, | resolved to
ascertain who the person was who dwelt
in the Common, and who had arrived
from the Crimea so recently, that |
might thereby assure myself to whom
I was indebted for a delicious kiss, and
whose acquaintance | was very desirious
of making.