The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-09-21
A LITTLE MISTAKE {!
BY ANNIE S. FROST.

| BY ANNIE S. FROST.
To say that Harvey Frothingham
was in bad temper, was to put the
mildcst form of words to express the
savage mood in which he found him
self one winters evening as he shot
through the main street of the town
of L, on his way homeward. Ev-
erything had gone contrary to his
wishes all the week.
To commence with. he had fallen in
love with Josephine Ormund, whose
pretty face was her only fortune, and
who worked in paper-boX factory for
her daily brsad.
Entirely ignorant of the fact that
Harvey rockingham was man of
standing and wealth in l., pretty
Josie allowed the minor facts that he
was insultingly free in his addresses to
influence her so strongly, and then
her dignified reserve taught him the
lesson he needed, and when he sought
her for his wife she declined the
honor.
"As if, by Jove," the angry man
meditated, "I was only hod carrier" +"
To add to this discomfeiture,t the heir
ess, Miss Claude Chesterton, whom he
had held in reserve, that his ambition
/ might win a wife if his love would not
had coolly informed him that she was
engaged to Fred Holman.
Now, if there was one man above
another who was utterly detestable in
the eyes of Harvey rockingham, it
was Fred Holman.
They had both been rivals at school,
where both stood well in talent, appli-
cation and social position, and Fred
study, carrying away the contested
prizes far more frequently than it
suited Harvey he should.
In society, Fred's handsome face,
ready wit, courteous manners, and
frank, sunny temper kept him ever in
higher favor than Harry Frothing-
hams sulIen, cold disposition could
ever gain.
And now, when Maud had been ever
gracious to the son of the wealthy
swered his love suit with the tidings
that his lifelong rival had won the
promise to be his bride.
"And the worst of it is it will be
just the match to suit his uncle" NUT.
tered Harvey, savagely. ''No fear of
him disinheriting Fred now"
For Harvey knew that Fred depend
ed entirely upon the good will of his
mothers brother, James Rutherford, a
wealthy and eccentric bachelor, for
his income. He had been left an Or
phan when a mere boy, and his uncle
had adopted and educated him, and
would probable make him his heir.
But the bachelor had long ago put
away sentiment, if he ever felt it,
and looked to Fred to make y match
social position. 1t was the wish of his
heart to see Fred the husband of
Maude Chesterton, aud his wish was
to be fulfilled.
Harvey Frothingham, at odds with
love, would like to see his rival refused
disinherited, humbled AZ he felt him
self humbleti, since neither love nor
money would accept him. He strobe
over the pavement in savage mood,
and started suddenly to see Josephine
Ormund coming out of the drug store
few steps ahead Of him. In her
hand were several small packages and
her face was pale and anxious.
In moment Harvey was at her
side.
"Let me carry some of your parcels"
he said, lifting his hat as he spoke.
"Thank you, have only a few steps
to CO." answered Josie, hurrying for
ward.
"You need not be afraid of me-"
Harvey said, noting the nervous man.
ner, "I will not annoy you! Why
will you not believe my respect for
you is rs great as my love? ?''
And before he knew exactly where
his words were leading him, the young
man was renewing the offer he had
made before.
Under the door of small tenement
house Josie stopped and faced him.
"You have spoken so before, Mr.
Frothingham," she said gently, "and
because believe you are sincere will
tell you what have kept a secret for
six months. am already married.
"Josie! Hurry! Why do you stand
there ?" cried voice in the narrow
hallway, and a man stepped into bar
of light thrown across the open door
by a street lamp.
Erred Holman!" muttered Harvey,
starting forward. Married! and to
Fred Holman ~
1t almost consoled him in his own
disappointment to think of the hold
he had upon his rival. Engaged to
Maude Chesterton, and married to
Josie Ormund! Fancy the proud face
when she knew she had been deceived
for girl who worked in factory
And sweeter still was it to Harvey
Rockingham tVthink of the wrath OF
James rutherford when the news
reached him.
But in his triumph Harvey Froth.
ingham had resolved to be very eau
tious, to have strong proof of his rivals
marriage before venturing to accuse tC
either his uncle or his betrothed.
He had noticed the number of the
house in the glare of the street lamp
!"No. %, Ralph street"
This was the entry he made in his
note book, in ease his memory should
plOve treacher0us.
1t seemed as if fortune favored his
plans.
Only the next day happening to ge
into large fruit and flower store. he
saw Fred Holman selecting the con