Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-06-11

done him what he should ever think 20 gre
yious a wrong.
The evening came, and when Henley en-
tered the ballroom, the greater number of
the guests had already arrived. The first
person whom he caught sight Of as he en-
tered was Mrs, Hughes. lie recognized the
Miss DevOnport OF other days at a glance
The face had changed little perhaps, but n
very little; and somehow or other, as he
looked, the hair did not seem TO him the
same jet black color that it had been. While
be was standing looking at her, Mrs. hughes
came up to him.
Mr. Henley, she said, u cannot say
how glad, how relieved am to see you. For
more than two years have longed to do 50.
Can you forgive me for what passed between
us when last we met? No, am sure you
connot. But when YOU know everything |
think You will. There was a misapprehen-
sion between us, but YOU shall hear every
thing by-and-by."
But Mr. Henley could only make some lame
remark to the effect that by-gones were by
cones Would Mrs Hughes gave him the
pleasure Of dance by-and-by?
Gladly: and Oliver duly endorsed his name
on the programme Of the wife Of the wealthy
Mr. Hughes
The dance came : il was waltz. the same
tune at that to which he had danced with
her when when she was Miss Devonport.
more than two years ago. in the ballroom Of
the Egerton Arms at marlborough When
it was over, they strolled into a conservatory
adjoining. Henley longed u say something
about the old days, but she promised an ex-
PLANTATION and it was for her to begin.
Mr.. Henley" she at last commenced,
d" Do You remember the Rattleborough Hunt
BALI Do You remember what happened ai-
ter it-that interview between Us
Henley made no answer.
" Would you like 10 hear how the whole
matter originated? Would YOU be glad if
all could be righted now -
&" "a hat do YOU mean ?' asked Henley.
" Simply what | say
At that moment there was n rustic Of
dress heard among the leaves of the clnserya-
tory, but Henley was too much engrossed
with the remarks of Mrs. Hughes TO notice
It.
" Here, Mr.. Henley, here is my explaua-
ton. Let me introduce You to my sister.
Miss Dey onport?''
Mrs Hughes, Miss Devonport} What
does all this mean2'
But Mrs Hughes had risen and left the
seat. Only Miss Devonport was standing be-
fore him-the same Miss Deyonp1rt of the
Rattleb0r0ugh Hunt Ball, with the same Jet
black hair, the same lustrous beauty, the
same sweet, sweet smile as Of old
Henley was too oyerpowered to speak. He
tried 70 DO so but there was something in his
throat which seemed to choke his utterance.
But each understood the other, and Oliver
at last said one 0r two words. and Edith De
yonport knew their meaning well.
. Mr. Henley She said, IS have longel
for this hour to come; have prayed for It,.
| knew it would come some time OF other,
hut did not know when. II has come now,
and You shall know all. 1t was whom YOU
met at the Rattleh1r0ugh Ball, not my sister.
We are twins. You are not the first person
that has mistaken US. But when You knew
ne. my sister as being slightly the elder, was
Miss Deyonport. / was Ms, Edith Devon
port. II was she, as You will know now.
whom YOU met in the street that morning on
which You were walking with Nj. Beau
champ She told me afterwards how pll-
zled She was by your salutauln. IL was she
too. as YOU viii know, whom you mot In the
lane just before you Left. All through, You
see it was mistake
A mistake mechanically repeated
Henley E, but. and the surprise cleared oi
his c1untenancc. '' is it a mistake which j.
too late to meud3 Mis- Dev1np9rt Eii,h-
tell me it Is not. Tel me wint now tell
YOU. tell me that Won love me.
e. Mr. Henley, have loved You ever since
We first met. Is love ever TOO late9"
But the hearts Of each were too full &c al
low them % say many words. They had
waited for their happiness, and the hour had
reached them. The scales had dropped from
of their ewes. All was clear now.
How long they sat in the conservatory they
did not know. but presently Mrs Hlshes
voice was heard. She saw how matters
stood at glance. Everything was rightel
NJ last.