The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-06-11
AEOrtunafn Mistake.

the fashionable world to her concerts. L wen
to hear the princess partly to kill time, anC
partly from desire to hear and see for myself
the marvellous foreigner whose name was II
Ieverybody's mouth. When l reached Hel
Maiestys Concert Room, it was crowded to it,
utmost capacity. 1t was so closely wedgeC
that one could have studied anatomy after {
fashion, merely from the impression OF ones
neighbours bones. At the close Of the concert
| was borne along with the crowd, and jam
med through the doorway at the risk OF break
ing every rib in my body. Ere could escape
from the throng, and while | was Struggling
my shoulders to assure myself that my collar
bone was III its proper position, felt a hand
clasping my arm, and amuslcal voice exclalm
! ed
''You good for-nothing! thought had
lost you! What a frightful crush do be
lieve my arm is broken, and my dress ruined
for the sake of hearing Strainervoyce would
not give our Clara Novello for world of
Stralnervoyces."
with her. But | restrained myself, laughing
inwardly at the novel position in which was
placed, and wondering who my fair compan-
ion could be. Evidently she mistook me fol
her brother, or possibly her husband, Judging
from the familiarity of her manner, for she
added in synpathizing tone:
Forgive me, Ralph-your poor head am
sorry made you come"
Pardon me, madam" said |, E'but-,, go,
nonsense, Ralph !" she interrupted me you
have become half barbarian since you went to
the Crimea, to permit me to seat myself and
you stand here as if were your wife, and you
ten years married instead of your sister, whose
ready assistant and attendant-in place of a
better-you should be.
Excuse me, but"
''Ralph | shall catch my death sitting here
and such long ride, tool"
Here the lady gave a preceptible shiver.
| ''Do jump in, and sit down, or | will"
What she would have done did not wait
to hear, but taking my place beside her i'll the
brougham, we were driven off, whittier knew
not.
81 won't ask YOU to talk to me, with that
Headache but [ want you to listen to me-, be-
gan my companion, the moment we started.
Il wanted to talk to you coming in but that
little chatter box, Maggie, prevented me from
saving word to you. You remember poor
| little Lucy Waters, Ralph? Her mother died
about two weeks ago, and the poor girl has
gone to live with the Deans. Mr.. and Mrs.
| Dean have been very kind to her, but it is i'm
possible for them to do more than shelter her.
| How any one can have the heart to wound
Lucy's feelings is a mystery to me- and yet
every occasion that presents itself is seized up
on by the Wares aud Kings to insult 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 Wells initiating her walk, regard
! Loco Of, ,oo, I uov'o taarc
| | could not restrain an exclamation OF dis
gust as listened to this.
Il knew it would disgust you, Ralph" con-
| tinued my companion. well, the doctor says
now that Lucy will always be lame-there
can be nothing done for her. have been
| thinking, ever since her poor mother died. that
if she had good teacher she might not only
! m time be independent but achieve a nanie Is
an artist You should see some of her attempts.
| She is a genius, Ralph. But that would re-
ouire money, and where is the money to come
| from? You know | havn't much, Ralph, but
am determined to do something for our old
PLAYMATE. | can save out of my allowance at
least thirty pounds, and now if you will doub
| lie it whar will that not do for poor Lucy? L
was counting it up the other day, and if am
correct, it will enable her to attend the School
of Design and take private lessons III Art for
a wear: at the end of that time, if Lucy is
alive. she will show the world what woman
can do. When look at that poor girl, with
her rare knowledge, I cannot help thinking
how superior she is to me-a mere ldler; and
| sometimes think that if she had my place
and hers there would be more justice in the
distribution ofthe worlds goods and comforts
Don't say I'm silly and sentimental, Ralph.
know YOU will give yoOr share towards the
sum, like a good brother as you are. l have
been talking to her about it, and | know can
manage it SO as to override any scruples she
NAV have against receiving anything IN that
way from us"
Here my companion became quiet, and the
question presented itself to my mind:
GLOW. am I to escape from this awkward
position honorably? Here have been guilty
of listening to a communication intended for
the car of another-have been guilty Of an in
excusable deception, practiced upon a stran-
ger and a lady knowingly. Perhaps the most
honest plan would be acquaint her at once
with the mistake, and solicit her pardon"
had at last summoned courage sufficient
to clear my throat, and was about to com
mence my we'll studied speech, when my COM
panion gave little laugh, as she said;
''Really, Ralph you are entertaining III your
own peculiar way; but if you are as dunc
when in the presence of Miss Vernon as You
have been tonight, she is to be pitied rathel
+, than envied. You ar little better than bar
barian But here we are at Uncle's, and you
know I promised to spend the evening there
Suddenly the driver drew up before an ele
giant residence, and imagining perceived {
! ioop-hole whereby l might escape from my
awkward predicament sprang out of the
brougham and assisted the lady to alight.
rs your head still aching Ralph? Why
you forget to kiss Inc ~
AS the fair face was upturned to mine, witt
its tempting lips awaiting the kiss, pressed
the shawl down from my mouth suddenly
and as suddenly felt my head drawn down Il
receive the most delicious kiss that was evel
bestowed by maiden. .
You need not wait; the door is open, anC
there stands Carrie, bless herr" said my com
5 panion, as she tripped up the steps, while
r stood irresolutely beside the brougham.
? Then, my dear fellow, mentally ejacula
ted sit is time you were of"
Seating myself in the brougham once more
. was again driven off, but whittier | knew
r not only knew that had lost charming
companion, whose lips moment since were
} pressed against my own, and who, in all prob
2 ability, might never meet again ANA WheL
f recalled her generous sympathy for the poo
lame girl, l longed to know more Of her. Ther
| again, my cheeks tingled when l remember
5 ed the deception had practiced. And wha
would she think of me upon asCertaining
t she certainly must-the truth?
NV speculations were, however, cut sh0r
2 by the abrupt stopping of the brougham
: whereupon | stepped out leisurely, picking
: from the bottom Of the carriage as did so al
: exquisitely embroidered handkerchief. Upor
: looking at it closely, | perceived the initials
&c. w" in one of the corners. l was remind
ed of my situation at that moment by the dri
e ver's inquiring if Mr.. Ralph would want hin
S any more tonight; :" so l merely shook my
: head, turned away from him and walked home