The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-08-13


Gus Fie, Charles and have been to-
gether until this moment from the
first ;; and just here the eyes of my late
partner in the dance shot fire and con-
fusion. Mutual ire was rising.
"'Then we must quarrel, suppose
One of us is wonderfully mistaken, and
it is you.
The other-the sylph--for she was
much the more beautiful of the two
sulked, and muttered, 1t is you 7
"s To show you that it is not me,
cousin, that has made fearful blunder,
let us go and ask. know that Charles
and wondered very much at your per-
formance.'
" Performance now that is too
bad
"I could have shaken the unwelcome
truth out of that girl for her imperti-
nence, although 1 knew she was cor
rect, for my quasi cousins eyes were
filling with tears.
"Why,' said she, he knows all
about that man. His name is Salem
Mott, and he is lawyer, and he's got a
mother in st. Louis, and he likes him
ever SO much, and-and-' and what a
dainty handkerchief caught the falling
tears.
"There, there, there, dear cousin,
let us go and find out.
&c How?'
"' Ask them how else would you p
"' Well, come on, said Sylph, look
ing up with bright blush.
"' No, you must come to Charles, ,
said the other.
"'Of course. Our cousin Charles.
Here he is, out this way. 1 know he is
catching spray from the wheel. Come
on
"No, no, that is Mott there's
Charlie-don't you see him ?-next the
lamps on the other side.'
Oh, my head my heart Can it
be? L tell you that's Mott, cousin,
Of course it is 7
"'Well, well, come, let us see. I'll
ask
"The two girls started off, brave
enough. I could not hear all they said,
but 1 guessed. The confident other
cousin had almost reached the place
where Charles sat in ignorant bliss,
dragging the other girl with her, when
her courage gave out. She was not
quite sure uf his individuality. She
stopped dead still. Her heart beat.
Suppose it should be Mott, after all.
Do you want to ask your cavalier? She
said, suddenly, addressing her COM
panion.
"'Of course 1 do, if I can find him.
Ha, ha, ha You have made an awful
mistake. Come out on deck
"'What have I done?' cried the
other, piteously, following the lead of
my destiny. What shall do?'
$50 back they came to where I was
hiding. darted into shadow. At
the door they stopped.
"'I cannot do it,
"'Oh you must pleaded the other.
"'But suppose
Suppose what, darlingP
"' 1t might be Mott tp
"'Of course it is Mott
"Oh dear, oh dear send for
Charles what fool I've been Why
don't you go and get your Charles 2
and upon my word she burst out cry
ing, where other eyes could see her, at
tracted by the impulsive sobs.
"Just then the immovable photo
graph of myself left his seat in the CEN
ter of the cabin and approached the
twain. The dance, fortunately, was
brought to close, the big light was
dimmed, and the music ceased.
"What happened next I do not
know. 1 stole into my berth, and at
about three o'clock in the morning came
to the conclusion of addressing her
note. I never write disagreeable notes
twice. 1t appeared thus with the first
writing. I'll read it to you, Bedford.
It's in my pocket. By the way, I put
the name and address next morning,
getting them from the clerk
sc MY DEAR Miss MITCHELL I am
so thoroughly convinced that what did
last evening was wrong that do not
expect pardon. Nevertheless l ask it
hopelessly. 1t was not done malicious
ly; | shall give you the truthful cause
in three words: 1 love you;' and
can show you through your cousin
Charles that it is not improper for me
to address you thus. 1 beg you to
meet me again, that may tell you
something of the admiration which led
me to take advantage of your mistake.
Had l gone to the wheel-house last
night for any other purpose than to
cool my aching head of its wild aspira-
tions after you would have told you of
your mistake at once. I could not.
Until you inform me of the punishment
am to receive I remain your hopeful
suitor, SALEM MORT
"Hello there, Bedford What on
earth is the matter? You are i'll
Speak !"
"Did she answer you?" gasped the
young man, rising.
"Answer ?" 1 shouted, " why, she is
my wife, and now in my mothers
arms"
so, heaven |" he cried, as his head
fell to the desk. cit is all explained"
"What is explained-did you know
Miss Mitchell? Speak out, James; was
she -"
"Yes, yes, she tDas but it is we'll.
1t is all explained. Do you think I
could have heard your story if you had
spoken that name before ?"
go, Bedford she cannot have done
wrong. 1t is a mistake"
"No, no; 1t is no mistake. 1t is her
rare beauty, Alton her cousin Charles;
her name; no letter for six weeks
Salem, it is no mistake. You have a
good girl a good girl, he continued
wrathfully, "but false as Satan-false
as Satan-false-false 70
He wept bitterly. I closed the door
that there might be no stranger wit
nesses to his agony. I was deeply
moved. 1t was a cloud over my new
happiness.
"Ah," he murmured, "that is why
the wedding day was put eff until win
ter. That is why no letters have come.