The Republican journal., 1875-11-04
The Mischief of IA Telegram.

Jennie johnson went flying down stairs
at the ring of the door-bell dts a tele-
gram" she said to Melissa. on returning.
Il Knew Hopper's ring lIopper's the
messenger
'Not Il telegram for me, hope said
Melissa, looking up from her work. 81
do hate the sight OF one; they always set
my teeth on edge, and make the hair of
my head stand up. You don't think that
anything has happened toto Ledyard ?''
"Certainly not; it's addressed to Led
yard."
"And you are opening it?
"lle gives me permission to read his
telegrams when he's out Of town, so that
| may forward them il they are important.
lo@W have that pleasure when You are
married, | suppose"
And then Jennie relapsed into utter
silence tor full ten minutes, while Melissa
iidgeted and coughed, and wondered what
it was all about, too proud to ask till anXi-
ETY. constrained her.
Something must have happened to Led
yard, | know" she cried. "Why don't
you speak, Jennie? Why do you look so
so distracted? ? Let me read it. | insist !;
it is my right, Jennie!"
Yes" said Jennie, slowly, sit is your
right; but | wouldn't read it, il | were
you"
Not read it DO you think am sell
fish enough to spare myself SO weakly ?
If he suffers, is it too much for me to
know? Give it TO me this minute, Jen-
nie!'
ooh, | don't believe you have any idea
what it is. It's worse than death Here,
read it, ii you will l hope | am not doing
wrong to allow itr' And Melissa read;
To DR.. Leclyard johnson:
Dearest.-My parents consent nj last. Come
to me before my heart breaks, If you still love
your EMILE.
Melissa put it down without tremor.
Jennie dared not look at her.
al must go home," said she, with Il
voice as hollowas the whispers of a sea-
shell, "of course. When does the next
train leave, Jennie. do you know?' And
then her assumed calmness melted into a
torrent Of tears.
"Now feel more composed, she said (;
"a good cry is equal to tonic. | might
have known that it couldn't last. Only if
he had told me himself! | think it would
have been easier to bear if he had not de-
ceived me. And yet he seemed in earnest.
He once told me that he had never loved
but one woman, and | was fool enough to
think that one was myself though he did
not say SO, his eyes swore to it. Oh, |
have been too happy! but this ends it all.
Jennie, for what are you crying? Tell
him | hope he ariN be happy with-with
Emile. You know, cannot bring my
self to like her just yet"
'Oh, / detest her, the huzzy!' cried
Jennie
Tell him | mean to forgive him; but
| never, never wish to see his face again !!
Oh oh! OH" and another heavy dose of
the aforesaid tonic; and the girls kissed
and parted
DR.. Ledyard had been expected home
that night, but after Melissa had departed
Jennie received note saying that he
should be detained for week or more,
and not mentioning Melissa, as her visit
had been kept a secret from him, Jennie
intending a surprise. When they heard
his ring, Melissa was to step behind the
statue of Ariadne, and while Ledyard
warmed his hands at the blaze on the
hearth and dilated on the pleasures of
home limiting that there was but one de-
light lacking, that one delight, in the
shape of Melissa, was to step from out
the shadow of Ariadne, into the warmth
of fire-light and embracing arms So the
little drama that Jennie had planned
failed of performance, and when Led
wards note arrived. she inclosed Emilie's
telegram to his address. having written
on the other side of the sheet:
Melissa has been visiting here. We intended
a pleasant surprise for you, instead Of which
there was an ugly cOntre-tempS. She left i'll
stantly This horrid telegram will explain
Your sorrowful sister, JENNIE.
But in her agitation, Miss Jennie, who
was always just bit careless. though
kind-hearted enough, directed her letter
to East instead of West Babylon street,
number nine instead of ninety, and there
tore-it being prior to the present postal
arrangements, which returns miscar-
ried letter to the original writer at the
expiration of few weeks-Dr. Ledyard
johnson never received it, Judge Of his
surprise, then, when, having written to
Melissa in his usual vein. his love-letter
was returned to him unopened!
Il should like just to know what he says
about it," Melissa had pleaded; chow he
excuses himself" Having utterly resign
ed him, she was just dying for one word of
aflectionate apology and appreciation. In
her own heart she had already excused
him; she had pieced up a sentimental
story for his apology. He had loved En-
ilie first, but cruel father had interfered !;
then he had met Melissa herself, and had
fancied she could fill Emilies place : but
oh! when she stepped aside, what happi-
ness she had been capable of giving him
the more costly since it was also her
own happiness which she threw into the
scales Therefore she would fain have
opened his letter, in order to verify her
romance; but her mother, who under
stood human nature and the ways of the
world better-to whom romance was a
dead letter-said. mo, dear; it will only
probe the wound; it will do no good
better return it unopened, as he deserves; !;
there is no excuse possible" And being
q high-handed woman, who always car
ried her point, the letter was returned.
DR.. Ledyard posted down to Doverby
instantly to inquire into the affair and
was told that Melissa had left town, and
her mother was indisposed- having
sent Melissa away on visit to divert her
mind. At his wits end, Ledyard wrote
on his card, "Will Mrs. Vaughn give me
Melissa's address?" To which she re-
piled:
Under the circumstances, Mrs. Vaughn
thinks it wise to withhold her daughters
address from DR.. Johnson, and she is
greatly surprised at his importantly =
after aH."
Fairly puzzled, and not little angry,
Dr. Ledyard returned to town. He had