Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1867-12-26

companion gave a little laugh,
she said
"Really, Ralph, you are ver
entertaining in your own peculia
way; but if you are as dumb whe
in the presence of Miss Vernon 6
you have been tonight, she is t
be pitied rather than envied. Br
here we are at uncle's, and yo
know / promised to stop with Ca
rie tonight; SO you will have n
one to bother you the remainde
of the road. How singular yo
do act tonight, Ralph! Well,
won't tease you any more"
Suddenly the driver drew u
before an elegant residence, and
imagining 1 perceived loop-hcl'
whereby l might escape from M
awkward predicament, | spran:
out of the bpugham and assisted
the lady to alight.
SIS your head still aching
Ralph? Good night. Why, yor
forgot to kiss me!'
AS the fair face was upturnei
to mine, with its tempting lips a
waiting the kiss, / pressed my
shawl down from my mouth sud
denly, and as suddenly felt my
head drawn down to receive the
most delicious kiss that was ever
bestowed 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, l
was again driven off. but whittier
| knew not. only knew that |
had lost a charming companion,
whose lips moment since were
pressed against my own, aud
whom, in all probability, l might
never meet again.
My specuiations were, however,
cut short by the abrupt stoppage
of the carriage, whereupon |
stepped out leisurely, and picked up
from the bottom as did so an ex-
quisitely embroidered handker-
chief, with the initials &c. W." in
one of the corners. ! was reminded
of my situation at that moment by
the driver inquiring eff Mr.. Ralph
would want him any more to-
night" SO I merely shook my
head and without vouchsafng a
word of explanation | turned a
way from him and walked home
ward.
Evidently | bore strong resem-
blance to Mr.. Ralph, whoever he.
was. When his own sister and
the servant were deceived by the
resemblance, it must certainly be
very great. True, my cap was
drawn down firmly, almost con-
cealing my eyes, and the lower
part of my face was muffied up in
q heavy shawl; still taking every
thing into consideration, | said
to myself, the similarity of dress,
features and manner must be
wonderful, thus to deceive ones
relatives.
/ had walked perhaps a mile,
when observed a gentleman ap-
preaching at walk as rapid as MY.
own. AS he drew nearer | was
struck with his resemblance to me
height, size, manner and dress,
even to the wrap around his neck,
and the buttons upon his coat were
the exact counterpart of my own.
1 think the resemblance must have
struck him at the same time, for,
as we were passing each other,
we involuntarily paused, and,
scanning each other closely and
curiously, then strobe on.
"Mr. Ralph,"I l said to myself,
as / turned and looked at him.
Singularly enough, Mr.. Ralph was
at that moment looking at me ;;
but the instant he was detected he
wheeled around and resumed his
walk. =
Ere l reached my chambers, L
resolved to ascertain, if it was pos
sible, who the person was who
dwelt in the large house on the
Common, and who had arrived
from the army SO recently, that L
might thereby assure myself to
whom I was indebted for a deli-l
cious kiss, andwhose acquaintance
[ was very desiroue of making,