The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-12-21
miscellamp.
A FORTUNATE MISTAKE.

o musical voice exclaimed:
"You good for nothing 1 thought had lost
you What q fearful crush do believe my
arm is broken and my dress ruined"
was on the point Of replying that agreed
with her, but restrained myself, laughing in.
wardly at the noves 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, for she added in
a sympathetic tcre.
Forgive ne Ralph-your poor head Tn
sorry / made you come"
"Pardon me- madam" said I, but" Oh,
nonsense, Ralph" she interrupted me. "You
have become half barbarian since you went to
the war, to permit me to seat myself, while you
stand there as if l were your wife, and you ten
years married, instead of your sister, whose
ready assistant-in place of better-you should
be. Ralph, I shall catch my death Of cold sit
ting here; and such long ride, toow
Here the lady gave perceptible SILVER.
"Dc Jump in and sit down, or will
What she would have done did not wait to
hear; but, taking my place beside her in the car
riage, we were driven off whittier knew not.
81 won't ask you to talk to me with that head
ache, but want you to listen to me" began my
companion, the moment we started. IL wanted
to talk to you coming in, but that little chatter
box, Maggie, prevented me from saying word
to you. You remember poor little Lucy Wal.
ters, Ralph. Her mother died about two months
ago. and the poor little girl has gone to live
with the Deans. Mr.. and Mrs. Dean have been
very kind to her, but it is impossible for them
to do more than shelter her. How any one can
have the heart to wound Lucy's feelings is q
mystery to me, and yetevery occasion that pre-
sents itself is seized upon by the Wares and
Kings to insult her, even to commenting upon
the poor girls fathers actions, If she could
have prevented that which occurred twenty
years ago; and have seen Sarah Ware imita-
ting her walk, regardless of poor Lucys tears.
The doctor says that nothing can be done for
her. If she had good teacher she might in
time be independents but that would require
msney, sand you know that L haven't much,
Ralph; but have determined to do something
for our old playmate. I can save out of my al
lowance one hundred and fifty dollars, and now,
if you will double it, what will that do for Lucy
If am correct, it will enable her to attend the
School of Design and take private lessons in the
art for year and at the end Of that time, if
Lucy is alive, she will show the world what a
woman can do. 1 know you viii do your share
forwards the sum like good brother as you
are"
Here my companion became quiet, and the
question presented itself to my mind.
"How can escape from this awkward posi-
ton honorably Here have been guilty of lis
tening to a communication intended for the ear
Of another-have been guilty of an inexcusable
deception, prac.iced upon a stranger and lady
knowingly. Perhaps the honest plan would be
to aequaint her at once with the mistake and So
licit her pardon"
Twas about to commence my well studied
speech, when my companion gave little laugh
a. she said:
Really, Ralph, you are very 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 But here you are at uncles, and
you know promised to stop with Carrie to-
night 80 you will have one to bother you the
remainder Of the road. How singular you do
act tonight, Ralph! Well, will not tease you
any more"
Suddenly the driver drew up before an elegant
residence, and imagining perceived loop
hole whereby might escape from my awkward
predicament, l sprang out of the brougham and
assisted the lady to slight
"Is your head still aching, Ralph2 Good
night Why, you did not kiss me +"
A the fair face wss upturned to mine, with
its tempting lips awaiting the kiss, pressed nv
shawl down from my mouth suddenly, and "
suddenly felt my head drawn down TO receive
the most delicious kiss that ever was bestowed
by maiden.
"Yeu need not wait; the door is open, and
there stands Carrie, bless her y said my compan.
ion. .. she tripped up the steaa whileI stood
Aresoluts.
Seating myself once more, was driven of,
but whittier knew not. | only knew that
had lost charming companion. whose lips mo-
nent before were pressed against my own, and
whom in all probability might never meet again.
Ny spscuiations were, however, cut short by
the abrupt. stsppage of the carriage, whereupon
stepped out lesurely, picking up from the bot
tom ~ l did 70 an exquistiveiy embroidered
handkerchief with the initials 20 W." in one Of
tho corners was reminded Of my situation at
that moment by the driver inqairing "if Mr..
Ralph would want him any more tonight :" 80
merely shook my head, and without youching
word OF explanation, turned away from him and
walked homeward."
Evidently bore very strong resemblance to
Mr.. Ralph, whoever he was. When his own
sister and servant were both deceived by the
resemblance it must certainly be very great.
True my cap was drawn down firmly, almost
concealing my eyes, and the lower part Of INV
face was muffied up in heavy shawl; still, TAX
ing everything into consideration, [ said to my.
FELT, the similarity of dress, feature and manner
must De wonderful thus to deceive ones rela.
%ivea.
had walked perhaps mile when l observed
gentleman approaching at II walk Us rapid an
my own. Az he drew nearer, was struck with
the resemblance to Mcknight size, manner and
dBsss, even to the wrap around his neck and the
buttons upon his coat were the exact counter.
part Of my own. think the resemblance must
have struck him at the same time, for an We
were passing each other we oluntariy paused,
and then scanning each other closely and curl.
ously, strobe on.
"Ar. Ralph" said to myself, rs I turned To
look OF him. Singularly enough, Mr. Ralph was
at that moment looking at me but the instant