The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-04-20
THE WRONG PICTURE.

THE WRONG PICTURE.
"a PRETTY face-a very pretty face, in
deed!'
| turned the little photograph upside
down, held it off at arms length TO get a
perspective view and scrutinized it closely
with my eye glasses.
Henry Wallis looked pleased; man
naturally likes his fanceduly admired and
appreciated.
so this is the Bessie Armitage have
heard so much of; really, Wallis, she
does credit to your taste. A blonde, /
suppose?" 4
"Fair as lilyAeaf, with blue eyes and
the sunniest golden hairm
"Ah! well, must say I prefer the bru-
nette style, so far as my individual taste
goes; but then fancies differ, you know"
1t was all very well for Henry Wallis
to 90 into ecstacies about his pallid, fair
haired little Bessie Armitage; he had
never met the glance of Cecilia Vernon s
magnificent black eyes. What did he
know about the true type of feminine
beauty? $50 -...
CAS- you say, fancies differ" Wallis re-
turned, lightly. ,"But I wish you would
select handsome frame for it when you
go to town next-blue velvet, with gold
rim on the margin, or some such tasteful
arrangement"
"Ill see to it," l said, depositing the
picture in its envelope and returning it to
my inside breast pocket.
you'll be very careful of it,"
"Careful? Of course | shall!'
l smiled little loftily.at Wallis solic-
itude and we parted.
After all, Henry Wallis was better of
than | was, for he was securely engaged
to the dimpled, yellow-tressed little OBJ
ject of his affections, while | was yet, as
it were, in outer darkness, uncertain
whether my peerless Cecilia returned my
ardent devotion or whether she secretly
Inclined toward chat unprincipfed fellow,
Fitzhugh Trefoil. A score of times l had
resolved to settle the question; score OF
times | had gone to the Vernons' house
with the very formula of declaration on
my lips, and as often had the words died
away unvoiced and unspoken.
If fate had only gifted me with one
thousandth part of Fitzhugh Trefoil's off
hand audacity l don't think anything
short of the deluge could check that fel-
lows cool sclf-possession; an earthquake
wouldn't, and | don't think the millen,
mum could!
However, love inspires the feeblest
heart with a sort of Fictitious courage,
and | was new man since Miss Vernon
had smiled upon me. What was the use
of doubling, hesitating and trembling
Why not decide my fate at orce? Henry
Wallis's serene content exercised stimu,
lating influence upon me. | would fain
have been as he wasi
There is no sense in procrastnating
matters any further" l said, half aloud
as walked up and down the rather linn
tied domains OF my little law office. 81
have been a doubling fool quite long
enough
Pm afraid | wasn't very amiablt
member of the domestic circle that after
noon.
g l think Paul is growing crosser every
day." said my sister, Struggling her little
plump shoulders Mamma, l wish you'c
speak to him."
But my mother, bless her wise old soul
knew better than that. She only looked
at me over the rims of her spectacles, ant
went on darning stockings.
paul is worried with business matters
suppose" she said, apologetically
paul will do well enough, if you onl.
let him alone"
l went up to my room after dinner, an(
made an elaborate toilet; but all the pain
l bestowed upon itserved only to heightel
the general effect of awkwardness.
I've two minds to wait until to-mor
row." quoth to myself, abruptly stop
ping, with my cravat half tied.
No, l night be coward, but was no
such an unmitigated poltroon as that.
had begun the enterprise, and would car
~ it through, if it cost me the last drol
of my hearts blood. Moreover, l had al
inspiration. An entirely new and origi
nal method Of putting the momeptou
query-"popping the question'is avulgal
ism that |, for one, could never tolerate
had occurred TO re.
"Hang Fitzhugh Trefoilr" exclaimed
gleefully, half aloud, though there wa
no ear to hear my ejaculation. "l
win the dark eyed treasure yet, in spit
of himn' -# .
| l Iopened my writing-case and CAREFUL
| took out little cdrte de uisite wrapped i
tissue paper, and tenderly laid away wit
pink silk perfume -sachel that Mimi
had made for me once. 1t was Cecilia
picture; she had allowed me to steal
away from her, with scarcely a remor
STRANGE, week before Then was til
time l ought to have proposed; but, lik
limorous, doubling moon-calf as l wa
| had let the golden tide Of Zopportunit
slip unimproved. away from me.
drew Bessie Armitage's vacant, dol
like face from its envelope and compare
the two with thrill of triumph in m
heart.
"Colorless water beside crimson, sparl
ling champagne! pale violet in Il
shadow Of royal rose! pearls eclipse
by the fiery flash of diamonds" | e.
claimed. Henry Wallis's taste may
very correct and classical, but give me n
radiant brunette! These bleached-o
beauties don't correspond with my ide
Of perfection"
1t was lovely spring evening as e
tered the wide graveled path that led |
10 the broad porch of the old-fashion'
Vernon mansion. Squire Vernon sal the
smoking his meerschaum.
Wont you sit down and have
smoke 81 he demanded, Hospitality. ~
J q real luxury to be able to take y VIII