The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1867-09-24
A FuRTuNATR NfsTAKn-

lng ny o~n, aud musical voice ca
claimed
Yen good far noshin thought /
bad lost son WAT inghiiai crush
/ do l,eliest my arn j. broken, and my
duss ruined
I was 81 ihe point ofreplying that ]
agreed eilh her. bui restrained rlyseh,
langhing inwardly nj the novel position
IN which 1 was pisced, and wondering
who my far eompaplon could be Ey-
lacnlly Size mistook me for her brother
or possibly her husband, Judging from
the familiarity of her manner, for she
added III o sympaihizng tone;
Forgseme, Ralph your poor head
am sorry j made you come.
Pardon me, madam. said /, but,
on, nonsense, Ralrhp she interrnp-
ted me. Y0o have become half bar
barlan sinoe you went ~ the war. 10
scat myself, while you stand there as II
we're your wife. aud you ten years
married, instead Of your sister, whose
ready assistant in place OF IA better
ron should be. Ralph, ] shall catch
NV death Of cold sitting here; and such
8 long ride, too
Here the lady gave perceptible
shiyer
DO jump in and sit down, or will
What she would have done did not
wait 10 hear; but taking my place be-
sido her in the carriage. We were driven
of, whittier knew not.
4 won't ask YOU 70 talk to me with
that headache, but want Won TO listen
10 me, began my companion, the mo-
ment We started. i wanted to talk 10
you coming in, but that little chatter
box, Maggie, prevented me from saying
word to you. You remember poor
little Llcy Walters, Ralph Her moth
er died about two months ago. and the
poor girl has gone to hive with tie
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 mystery to
nae, and yet every occasion that pro-
sents itself is seized upon by the Wares
and Kings to insult her, even, to com
mentiEg upon the poor girls farthers
actions, as If she could have prevented
that which occurred twenty years ago;
aud I have seen Sarah Ware imita-
ting her walk, regardless of poor Lucys
tears. The doctor says now that moth
ing can be done for her Ii she had q
good teacher, slie might III time be in
dependent; but that would require
money, and you know haven't much,
Ralph: but / have determined to do
something for oar old playmate | can
save out of my allowance one hundred
AID fifty dollars, aud now il you will
double 1t, what viii that not do for Luz
cy? IF / am correct it will enable her
70 attend the School Of Design and take
private lessons ~ ART fUl a wear. ard 80
the end Of that time, if Lucy is alive,
she will show the world what a woman
eau do l know you will give your
share toward the sum, like good
brother ~ you are.
Here my companion became quiet
and tie question presented itself to my
mind
How am ] to escape from this nwk-
ward position honorably? Here have
been guilty OF listening 10 communi-
cation intended for the ear of another
have been guilty Of an inexcusable
deception, practieed upon stranger
aud lady knowingly. Perhaps the
honest plan would be to acquaint her
ID once with the mistake, and solicit her
pardon,
| was about 10 commence my studied
speech whon my companion gave lit
tic laugh as she said:
Really, Ralph, You are very enter
tanning, in your own peculiar way; but
il You are ~ dumb when in the pres
ence of Miss Vernon as you have been
tonight, she is to be pited rather than
enyied. But here we are ut uncle's and
you konw / promised to stop with Car
rie tonight; so YOU win have no one 10
bother you the remainder OF the road
How singular sou act tonight; Ralph
Wen, / will not tease you any more.
Suddenly the driver drew up before
an elegant residence, and imagining l
perceived loop-hole whereby I might
escape from my awkward predicament,
| sprang out Of the brougham aud as
sisted the lady to alight.
Is your head still aching, Ralph
Good night. Why you did not kiss me- I
As the fair face was upturned to mine
with its tempting lips awaiting the kiss,
| pressed nay shawl down from my
mouth suddenly, and as suddenly felt
my head drawn down TO receive the
most delicious kiss that ever was be-
sto we'd by maiden
You need not wait; the door is open
and there stands Carrie, bless her /! said
my companion, as she tripped up the
steps, while / stood irresolute.
Seating myself once more, / was a.
gain driven OF, but whittier knew not
( only knew that / had lost charm-
ing companion, whose lips moment
since were pressed against my own, and
whom ia all probability might never
meet again.
NV speculaiions were, however, cut
short oy the abrupt stoppage Of the
carriage, whereupon | stepped out lcis-
urely, picking up from the bottom as
/ did 50 an exquisitsy emhToided band
fegclies with the initials C ", in one
II tine corners | was reminded % my
{ situation II that moment hy the driver