The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1875-06-25
THE ONE FALSE STEP.

DO you kLb"s w AFTER ID Is GAdCblN
one year to-day since we first met ?
Just think of it. One year today"
eyes, Ella, darling and one year
today hence we'll be old MARI"
But here a dainty hand was applied
bluahingly to the daring lips. And the
glowing prediction remained incomplete.
The subject was changed with a rOmpt-
ness that seemed a simultaneous inspi-
ration, and along the summer lane the
handsome pair iOyously jaunted in
their cosy basket phaetOn.
Walter Carleton was a rising young
merchant, the junior member OF a New
York firm. He was of British birth,
and his dark complexion, crisp ebOn
curls, and deep black eyes he derived
from his Castilian mother.
Ella Goodrich was an Una-Hke crea-
ture, in the first flush of her gorgeous
womanhood. She was a dark-bred
blonde, and the only daughter of
wealthy old DR.. Goodrich, of Kirkland.
Walter had received his earliest heart
wound from the dart of Elias beauty
at a Saratoga hop, and since then the
course of their love had run IS smoothly
as two enthusiastic hearts could make
it. DIR. Goodrich, besides closely OBJ
serving the young man, had made the
necessary inquiries respecting HIM, with
amiable partner and himself on the pro-
priety of their daughters choice.
1t was really a pleasant afternoon
late in the summer-and the gray pony
with the basket PhaetOD, and the pair of
turtle doves logged along with a sort of
"sOber certainty of waking bliss" as
Milton happily phrased it.
The miles flew by on angels wings,
and when Walter consulted his watch,
10 and behold it was within a few
minutes of the Kirkland dinner hour
and they were q good five miles away?
So We must make ali haste back,
cried Ella, spa dislikes TO wait for din
ner. Rufe, old man, " this to the gray
pony, ''yOu must put your best foo
foremost ;" whereupOn Rufe's mistress
proceeded to admOnish him with reiI
and whip.
Now, Rufe had not been used to THU
cavalier treatment, and he began {,
protest against it by manifold head
shaking, tail-switching, eIephantin
hops and snOrtings, and generally b,
moving forward rather slower than be
fore. WhereupOn Ella scOided the per
verse brute, and Walter took the Will
and administered q sharp cut across tn
fore-leg. This was enough. Rufus in
stantly performed some eompoun
himself and the shafts from the bod
of the phaeton. Before you could sa
Jack Robinson the pair of lovers wei
rolling in the dust, and " Rufe VIZ
complacently regarding the havoc b
had made. busted and discOntente,
Walter and Ella regained their fe,
more scared than hurt and amused tbs
vexed.
Ella said there was a bIacksmith-shC
short distance of, and thither Walt
ran while she watched the wreck al
told Rufe what a disreputabIe O
william he was.
When Walter returned with the m
chanlc, a tall, bony-lOOking man wi
huge red whiskers and an immense Pa
anna hat was talking to Ella. And n
merely talking it seemed to Walt
that the man WIS annoying her, aud 9
tempting to take her hand-a Iiber
she seemed to repel with indignant e
ergy.
Well. be friends, anyhow, Ella,
you won't shake hands, he of the r.
whiskers was saying, as Walter, wi
flashing eyes and vengeful looks, u
seen, approached.
"Stand off sir !" cried he. pushi1
the intruder violently aside. 81
what right do you presume to ann
InlS young ldlF !? ~
Ella uttered a little scream. It
man staggered, and nearly fell I: bU
reganIng his equilibrium. he Ouick
faced round, and fiercely fixed his re
dish, chestnut eyes upon his assailant
Walter Carleton, as I'm a breathi
sinner I"
DR.. Farjeon ?" with a violent st,
and change of color. GOOD God, '
here 1 beg your pardon for my rus
ness. did not see your face; it v
so unexpected. Why, how in the nal
i mean how on earth did you ey
turn mp here ?"
60, that is easily explained" a,
DR. Farieon, with meaning 10,
g You see, after we parted at Liverp,
dock"
"Ah yes Just So" said Walter, n
vously. ELLA, my dear, DIR. Farit
and I are old acquaintances-friei
and all that, you know. Doctor, 81
be glad to meet you that is, confoU
this mishap we must get it repair
and get home at once mustn't We Ell,
Ella had looked with speechless s
prise at the chilling effect the doctC
sudden appearance had upon her loy
It had completely transformed h
crushing his 6-Sety as one crushe:
flower Ill the hand.
With a supercilious "goOd by, N
Goodrich" and g III see you this ev
ing, Walter" DR.. Farjeon proceeded
his way when, with a mortified 10
Walter said
Why, Ella, what is that man do
here ?"
" If you had not interrupted him,
would have told you soon enough.
hateful, detestable fellow" she repIi
" He lately bought pas practice: {
has come prowling about our house ,
prosecuting me ever since but to-,
made him feel how intensely desni
hlm. How on earth did Won q
form that Jack Sheppard-looizipp 8,
bones acquaintance %
merely professionally in Enron
replied Walter, dryly.
Walters attempts at cheerfuIness 4
ing the homewsrd drive were spasmo