Smyrna times., 1867-11-06
MIS- ELAN EOUS.
Caught in my Own Trap.

Dora and I had been silent fully fifteen min
utes-an unusual occurrence for us-when she
suddenly broke out into one of her gayest,
sweetest peals of laughter. The cars were 60
ing at the rate of forty miles an hour but Do
ra' laugh rang out above all their noise and
confusion.
"What is it, Dora, you witch you?" l said,
half piqued that she had not at first told ME
what pleased her, and laughed afterwards
Nothing, Nell, only was just thinking of
something funny. Do you see that gentleman
just in front Of us, with the beautiful black
whiskers and dreamy brown eyes? Well, he's
been watching you behind that book for the
last half hour, looking as if he would love to
take bit of the red roses on your checks
Don't blush, but he is in love with you, I'll bet
my gold thimble on it. was just thinking of
some of the stories have read about young
ladies mistaking handsome young fellows for
their brothers, &c, and thought what fun it
would be if we could only manage to mistake
that gentleman for your brother Fred"
/ was ready for fun in a moment.
"Tell you what I'll do" broke out eager
ly "You know [ haven't seen Fred since |
went to school, three years ago; and of course
he's changed great deal since then. Well, if
that literary gentleman with brown eyes (he is
handsome isn't he, Dora? p should get off at
our station, I'll waia till he gets mixed up in
the crowd, see him suddenly for the first time,
rush up to Tim in a futter Of delight, call him
brother Fred, and give him such kassing as
he hasn't had since he saw his sweetheart last. F."
Yes, would if [ were you," said Dora,
sarcastically. You daren you know
DON dare though Wait and see"
And so | dropped back into the cushion in 81
lence till the train stopped at our station.
| Dora gave me wicked look, and whispered
that she knew my courage would fail Inc, for
| tho OantlnmoO was really rrntfiDp off
! was not to be triumphed over, though ;
and so, as we stepped out on the platform, |
saw the literary gentleman standing amidst the
crowd, and with little bound threw myself in
his arms and kissed him full in the mouth, hys-
terically exeaiming:
Fred, my dear brother, how do you do?'
caught glimpse of DOra-she was In dan
ger of going into convulsiOn. | was expecting
to hear the stranger say, confusedly, that there
was some mistake but, to my surprise, he
gave me hearty embrace, kissed me two or
three times, said he was well, and that l had
grown great DEAL inquired for my little friend
Dora-whO, all this time, was exciting the SYM
pathies of the crowd, as they supposed she was
insane, Judging froE. her frantic laughter.
Father and mother aye expecting you, Mel
lie, and are so impatient they can scarcely wai
to see you. | was afraid you would not knew
me, but am really glad that my image has
been treasured up SO carefully in my sister,
heart"
| was bewildered beyond measure. 1t really
was Fred then, and [ had not known him
felt slightly ridiculous, and while introducing
Dora to my brother whispered her to keel
quiet in reference to my intended trick.
, | was too much confused to think of inquir
ing how he came tObe in the cars without seeing
me so we all went to the carriage which wa
waiting for us, and drove rapidly to our home
! ho1 fO no co affn
ate. He held my hands in his own all the time
; and kissed me at unnecessary intervals but t.
: tell the truth, | had never loved him half s.
well before, never thought him halt so hand
y some.
We reached the gate. Mother kissed M
and cried over me father repeated it; an
# finally frank hearty voice broke out with:
If Halo, sis aren't you going to notice you
$ scapegrace of brother at all?''
4 And to my astonishment handsome fellow
'r | had not yet. seen, gave me genuine hug an
a kiss that you could have heard across tn
the yard.
"are YOU my brother Fred2 thought thu
o. o. gentleman was" pointing at the handson
St gentleman | had embraced at the depot.
le "Why sis, you are crazy Of course II
Ct your brother, and that fellow there is my co
Of lege chum Archie Winters, who went ha
m m way up the line to meet you. What are yo
Is bushing at, Nell? didn't have time to g
N and let him take your picture with him,
as as that he would be sure and know you, lie
Is been playing off some of his mad pranks, al
d passing himself off for me, I'll warrant"
h. a looked at Archie Winters beseechingly
at and as they were going into the house
whispered to him
g For PHYS sake do not speak of that mi
to take. How could it have happened?'
"I overheard you in the cars, and will kee
Soe your secret only on one condition"
3: He whispered something to me that mac
ae e my face flush scarlet; but | was at his mere
1E and said l would think of it, reader; and
led the delight of the whole family-Dora al
ne ne Fred in particular-Archic and were marie
I'D in less than two months. And Dora said
is is me, as babe her goodbye, that it would gi
e0t 0t unspeakable delight to Fred and herself if
on would attend their wedding in a month, and
na ma. did so.
1eg lsS An honest old lady in the country when to
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