Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-23


annoyance.
perhaps it is just as well" was the
reply as she glanced at her brother.
''Ralph, really, is unmereiful when he
begins | am glad Won did not hear
the whole; bat how that it is ont. l
may as well give correct version of the
affair. Like an attentive brother, he
permitted the crowd to separate us at
the close of the opera on Tuesday, aud
/ was so unfortunate as to mistake a
stranger for him, who accompanied me
without acquainting me of the error.
Thinking it was Ralph, and that his
headache prevented him from talking, L
permitted my tongue TO perform -rath-
err more than fair share. -
"rhen all the blame must be laid upt
on Mr.. Wright. he should be depreeat-
ed but let US hope that he will change
for the etter," said our hostess. '1
think even now he exhibits signs OF re-
pentance. I"
until lately" she replied, placing
an emphasis upon the word, 81 did
not have the slightest clue to the gen
tleman."
Does she know the truth % asked
myself. Have l betrayed myself? |
might have known that her woman s
instinct would detect me.
While these and similar thoughts
occupied nay mind, | became engaged
ia an interesting conversation with Miss
Wright, in the course of which allu-
sion was made TO the last opera night
did | attend it P''
Really, was 1t the last or the one
preceding it, or the second Certainly
/ attended one of them, bat which one
OF them My memory was So teeach-
erous Perhaps it was tho last; at
least, there wss a suffocating crash. +"
And the conversation went on as be-
fore. The depression removed all doubt
from her mind. |, at least, had known
nothing OF her adventure prior to that
evening, when her misunderstanding
brother made it public.
10 not think was romantic at the
time, and yet must confess that from
the beginning of our acquaintance !
entertained the hope that Miss Wright
would one day become my wife. 1 was
not disappointed.
1t was, perhaps, six months after we
were married that / carried home IN
nv pocket a newspaper containing a
tiattering notice OF Lucy Walters. AS
Mrs. CLARK employed herself with her
work. drew forth the paper and read
TO her the notice. Lucy was pursuing
her studies, and carried of the prize
medal. AS she listened to the tiatter-
ing comments paid to her prOtege, my
wiie's face liz up with glow OF pleas
ure.
"Ralph used to laugh at me when 1
told him that Lucy would one day
make name for herself" she said
musingly. 81 have so often wondered,
she continued, as she resumed her
work, "who it was that gave her the
money.
you mean the person who accom-
panied you to your Uncle Graham's
from the concert" said i.
eyes, " she replied, sit was very sin
gular his giving the money in the way
he did"
Doubtless he did it to secure your
good opinion" said l.
.'Then he has never had the satisfsc-
ton of Knowing how it was received, "
said my wife.
"Of course he has, though" said l.
Chow do you know?' inquired Mrs.
Clark, looking up from her work. "He
may be dead. "
'sBut he is living, Caroline" said J..
''The person you so often think about,
WHO sent Lucy Walters the money, and
whom you kissed"
"Afr ClarkW exclaimed my wife, as
the work fell from her hands into her
lap. ....
Mrs. Clsrkl'' retorted.
ssYou don't think How can you say
such a thing?" And puzzled express
sion rested upon my wife's face, which,
in spite OF all my powers OF resistance,
forced me to laugh 'oud.
"Oh, l remember now" she said
Ralph said something Ike that once
when You were present.
"Then, Mrs. CLARK, you deny having
kissed him?"
She threw her work aside suddenly
and arose. Is
Harry. can it be possible that it was
you p
Very probable, certainly"
"Aud YOU have concealed it all this
time You are the most deceptive of
men - she exclaimed.
"Don't blame me for doing what
neither you nor any other woman can
do, 4" said l, land that is, keep a secret
unless il be her age.
II will not believe It" said Mrs
c. ark.
because you tried to surprise me
into a confession and Won failed. " 1 re-
piled: ''Then let this be the proof"
was prepared for this scene, and
drew from my pocket the embroidered
handkerchief aud pointed ont the mi
tials, whereupon we mutually agreed
that she had made fortunate mistake