Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-07-20
MIscELLAREous.
HERMAN LANDINGS MISTAKE.

HERMAN LANgING,s MISTAKE.
-,.1sse OLD on moment, Kemble whnt,s your
- hurry Z" exclaimed Mr., Norman Lam
cling. laying his faultless kid-gloved hand on,
Aly9id kemblc'S arm, as that young gentle>
man was nhnnt turn out ono of Broadway's
fashionable squares.
t+Don't be in hurry, al, aud I'll show
you as pretty girl as one would wish 10 see. -
sIndeed Where is she 2" said Alyoid, in
a tone slightly impatient
"Oh, she'll be along presently. She passed
up some time ago, and notice she always
gets back in an hour or So"
sUmph You must be watching the
young lady pretty Closely" said Alvoid with
an ill-concealed snccr.
swell. watching pretty girl is something
that nobody can help. you know. But mean
to get MP Irritation with her. She looks
dcuccdty sweet at me; but, then, they all do
that''
.'Conccitcd fool !" Thought Alvoid, s.i;iia>
gines that every woman that looks at linn is
in love with him.
Then in a careless tone Alvoid said
''Y Ou talk in queer strain, Lancing, for
man who is engaged to be married in few
short months. | wonder what Miss Hamilton
would say if she heard all this"
''My dear boy, how innocent you arc
What tic eye don't see-you know tho rest.
| mean to have all the flirtations can, while
[ can; and what's more, if tho fair Isabelle
had not the weight of herself in grceubacks
can tell yon this might be something more
than a mere Irritation"
look of disgust swcrt over AlvUid KEN,
ble' handsome face, and hc was about to turn
away, when he caught sight of young lady
coming down broadway.
And very pretty young lady she was, with
clear hazel eyes, wealth Of dark brown half
that never required artificial crimping, and
face of pearly whitercss. relieved by faint
pink in either check; and the coral tint Of cx>
quisiteIy chisc!ed lips.
Surely, fckle minded, conccitcd Her
man. LAncing never saw lovel:er face than
that" thought Avoid. as glad smile of re-
cognition settled on his face but tho next
moment ho was struck with astonishmcnt,
when Herman said, in a low tone-for the
young lady was drawing near:
"Ah, there she is, AL. Ididn'tnoti her"
Herman stopped short. 1t was now lis turn
to be surprised, when he saw Alvoid raise his
hat as the lady passed.
"Well, here's go! How fortunate =
no IS she, Al! ("
The hot blood mounted to Avoids brow.
$50 that's the lady you had reference to,
he said, angrily. ''Shc Is Miss Elsie Wheeler,
whose father failed few years ago, and
died shortly after. She is truly indepen.
dent girl--supports herself and her mother
by sewing for her former friends. She lives
at No. Ninth street. Is there anything else
you wish to know, Herman LancingY" and
Avoids eyes flashed dangerously.
For heavens sake, my dear boy, when you
are obliging fellow with bit of informa-
tion, don't look as if you were going to an
nihilate him. Let me sce," and Herman
coolly strokiug his mustacIe. "No, guess
not; that is enough of information for this
time. my friend thank you"
al warn you Herman Laucing, not to trilc
with that young lady," and fearing to trust
himself longer, AIvOid turned away, and Her
man found himself on the corner alone.
Gone off in a huff, By JOvc! Ill bet he's
sweet in that direction himself. That is why
he kindly warns me not to trihe with the
young lady. AL right my iue fellow, owe
you one; if I'm not acquainted with Miss
Elsie Wheeler by this timc to- morrow even.
ing it won't be my fault"
An hour later Herman Lancing was seated
at his writiug-desk. IIe had just finished
note to Elsie Wheeler, asking her TO meet
him to- morrow evening at FIVE.
''Oh, but that won't do" said Herman, as
he read the note over. Tomorrow evening
at Eve I'm due at Isabelle's. We'll, if l make
it lHter, perhaps Elsie is too timid to show
herself after dark, and earlier won't do :" aud
Herman drummed upon the desk with his
fingers.
"Ah! have it. I'll jus. drop Isabelle
lice, telling her that pressing business pre-
vents me from keeping the engagement. [
know the dear girl will forgive mo-"
t'Oh, Mr.. Kenble, I'm so glad you have
called, cried Elsie Wheeler, bldsl,i6g bright.
ly, when AlSoid called early next morning.
Perhaps you can explain this mystery to me- -
she said, handing Alvoid uUte she had re-
ceiEed but a few moments before 81 sup
pose you are acquainted with Mr Lancing. :"
continued Elsie, as Alvoid read the note in
blank amszement. "He is Isabelle Hamilton's
intended husband, you know. She talks to
me continually about him, but have never
seen him; he never chances to be there when
take her work home. am puzzled to know
how he came to direct q note directed to Isa-
belle to me-"
As Elsie finished speaking. the whole thing
appeared as clear as day to Alvoid.
II will tell yon how he come to do It" said
Alvoid. The note that was intended for you
has gone to Miss Hamilton. Mr.. L.nciDg
has made mistake"
t.AIr. Kemble J" cried Elsie In astonish.
ment. What in the world could Mr.. Lam
sing have to say to me he has never seen
'Ns