Litchfield enquirer., 1868-01-16

say, 0AL, uco IlO EeLlSuUIaACS O1 CscL littF ing met you before, much less given you the invitation you speak of. , was now in Q condition to be tied with 8 couple of straws. What the old Harry could it mean? Where was young Harry Harry Blount? The sprout I saw before me, bore not the slightest resemblance to him: Had it been he, the enigma would not have been less. I certainly received an invitation from Henry Blount His family crest was upon the note that con- veyed it. I had come down as per instruc- tlons; had been met by carriage as ex- pected; and ushered into the presence of, as supposed, his father, heartily glad to receive me.
 And now
 How long I should have been allowed to stand still in my surprise, and spec ulate upon the awkwardness of my position, am unable to say. It might not have been long. l could augur from the dark looks around mo that stood fair chance of be- ing pronounced swindler and getting kicked out of the room.
 To avoid such unpalatable dessert to the good dinner had eaten, I was about enter ing upon my version of the very disaoree, affair, when the skirl of rumbling wheels grated on on the gravel outside; and, d. most at the same instant, through the open door of the dining room, a voice was heard exchanging speech with the butler in the hall.
 In 8 moment after this important fr1nc tlonary made his appearance in 0 state of Hurried agitation, and placed a second card in the hand of Sir William.
 'Mr Henry Blount," /" mechanically mutt tered our host, reading from the card. s'Who would have expected him at this hour? l asked him to dinner to day; but he couldn't come on account of some friend he expected from London. Tell him to step in and join with us over glass of wine"
 ''Blount? Blount?' inquired my fellow passenger of the P. and o. ''That is the name Of the gentleman to whose house Was taken, having mistaken his carriage for yours Sir William. Not bad fellow, by the way. But for his politeness, and his dog-cart, might still be on the high road, instead of in your dining room.''
 'Mr. Henry Blount!'' cried Sir William. holding out his hand to the new conner; ''happy to see you, sir; better late than never. Come in and join us.''
 ''Ihanks!' answered my old college &C., quaintance, whom I recognized the mo- ment he entered the room; 1T hope the la- dies will pardon this intrusion; but if I mistake not you have guest here, who by right belongs to mo. You and I, Sir Vii liam, appear to have made an exchange. through, the stupidity of our servants; and as far as l can ascertain the the delinquen- cy has been mutual, Do you chance to have gentleman among you by name Capt Francis Fleetwynd?''
 "We have, answered the Squire.- s'And now that we know Captain Fleetwynd to be friend of yours, we have only to beg to him that he will not allow you to carry him off from company that will be but to hap py to have him, and host ready to apolo- gize for the incivility that has arisen out of somewhat singular mistake. Come, MT. Blount, ask your friend to forgive us; and, if positively engaged to a return home, be contented to remain with us. Look around you and see whether it be not worth your while to stay for kiss under the mistle- toe"
 'In the teeth of such challenge as that Sir William, l should be sorry to rob you of guest, who l am sure, would not thank me for transferring him from such genial atmosphere to my bachelor hearth, where in truth l had no guests invited, save the one of whom chance has cheated me. I have no doubt Capt. Fleetwynd will be most happy to accept your invitation. What say you Frank?'
 "That you have given very correct in- depreciation of my sentiments
 ''Thanksn' cried Sir William. 'Thanks, Capt. Fleetwynd, for your frank forgive ness! And now, ladies and gentlemen. may l beg you to refill your glasses, and drink toast am about to propose "Om' ttcO st'anger guests, eq1at hono7' to Me one evho is here by naistate, as Co him ac1o has come by inUitntion.'"
 And amidst the clinking of glasses was heard all around the table. "Our two stran- ger guests!'
 As might have been expected, the incl dent from it's very 5izmrerie, had the effect of making the company more than ordina- rily hilarious and perhaps merrier Christ mas party could not have been found that night in all England. There may have been exceptions-af few individuals who did not partake of the general joy; and one, perhaps should be mentioned-my name sako of the cadayerous complexion. I could observe that he was far from satis- fled with the part he had been made to play in tho little comedy of errors, and more than once ] caught him in glance direct ed upon myself that was anything but friendly.
 soon discovered the clue to this unspo- ken hostility, as also to the grand consider ation that had been shown me at an earlier part of the evening by Sir William and his assembled guests.
 Before the party had separated, I learn ed that Mir. Jasper Fleetwynd was as rich as 8 rajah; being the reputed possessor of vast Anglo Indian estates and whole bush els of rupees. In short I found out that the charming Emily had been his partner in the cast of the evenings performance- But before the performance was oyer dis covered, or fancied what made that Christ mas for me the merriest and happiest of my life; that Jasper Fleetwynd had arrived too late and that Francis Fleetwynd had forestalled him,
 The fancy proved to be well founded; for despite some slight opposition on the part of Sir. William and Lady Mary, weighted by the thought of losing whole bags of ru- pees, the, beam tilted in my favor, and I succeeded in becoming possessed of the prize.
 have neverhad reason to regret that Cbristnaas mistQke. It helped me to 2 wor- thy wife much sooner then l should have found one for discovered next day that ho1 hnfOPn