The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-07-26
OUR STORY TELLER.
A LITTLE MISTAKE.
BY ANNIE S. o

to express the savage mood in which he
found himself on one winters evening
as he shot through the main street of
the town oil onhis way homeward.
Everything 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 for her daily bread in a
paper box factory. Entirely ignoring
the fact hat Harvey rockingham was a
man of standing and wealth in L,
pretty Josie allowed the minor facts that
he was insultingly freein his addresses to
influence her so strongly, and then her
dignifed reserve taught him the lesson
he needed, that when he sought her for
his wife she refused the honor.
Gas if, by Joye," the angry man
meditated, al was only a hod car
rier."
To add to his discomiture, the heiress,
Miss Maude 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 wa en-
gagged to Fred Holman.
Now, if there was any man above
another who was utterly detestable in
the eyes of Harvey rockingham, it was
Fred Holman. They had been rivals at
school, where both stood well in talent,
application, and social position, and
Fred was even a little in advance in
every study, carrying awaythe contested
prizes far more frequently than it suited
Harvey he should.
In society, Merchandising face, ready
wit, courteous manners, and frank, sunny
temper kepthim ever in higherfavor than
Harvey Frothingham's sullen cold dis
position could ever gain. And now, when
Maude had been eve gracious to the son of
the wealthy banker, Silas rockingham,
she answered his love suit by the tidings
that his lifelong rival had her promise
to be his bride.
"And the worst of it is, it will be just
the match to suit his uncle" muttered
Harvey, savagely. "No fear of his dis
~inheriting Fred now"
For Harvey knew hat Fred depended
upont the goodwill ofhis mother brother,
james Rutherford, a wealthy and eccen-
trio bachelor, for his income. He had
been left an orphan when a mere boy
and his uncle had adopted and educated
him, and would probably make him his
heir. But the bachelor having long ago
put away sentiment, if he aver felt it,
looked to Fred to make a match that
would increase his fortune and social
position. It was the wish of his heart
to see Fred the husband of Maude
m1zHa, o11 h1o wiSh u-ac 70 ha ful
filled. Harvey rockingham, at odds
with love, would have liked to see his
rival refused, disinherited, humbled, as
he felt himself humbled, since neither
love nor money would accept him.
He strobe W. the pavement in a saw,
age mood, and started suddenly to see
Josephine Ormund coming out of the
drug store a few steps ahead of him.
In her hand were several packages, and
her face was pale and anxious. In a mo-
ment Harvey was by 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 go" answered Josie, hurrying for
ward, n~ervously.
"You need not be afraid of me-
Harvey said, noting the manner.
al will not annoy you! Why will you not
believe my respect for you is as great
Amy loveP
And before he knew exactly where
his words were leading him, the young
man was renewing the offer he had made
before.
Under the doorway of a small tene-
ment house Josie stopped and faced
him.
You have spokenso before, Mr.. Froth.
ingham," she said, gently, +" and because
I think you are sincere will tell you
what l have kept a secret for six
months, 1 am already married."
"Josie, hurry. Why do you stand
there" cried a voice in the narrow hall
way, and a man stepped into the bar o.
light thrown across the open door by the
street lamp.
Erred Holman!" muttered Harvey
starting forward. married! and t.
Fred Holman!"
1t almost consoled him in his disap
pointment to think of the hold he haG
on his rival. Engaged to Maude Ches
terton, and married to Josie Ormund
Fancy the proud face when she knew
she had been deceived for a girl who
worked in a factory. And sweeter still
was it to Harvey rockingham to thinl
of the rage of James Rutherford wher
the news reached him.
But in his triumph Harvey Frothing
ham resolved to be very cautious, t
have strong proof of his rival'smarriag,
before venturing to accuse him to eithel
his uncle or betrothed. He noticed
the number of the house, in the glare O
the street lamp: No. %, Ralph Street
This was the entry he made in his note
book, in case his memory proved treach
erous. 1t seemed to him that fortun,
favored his plans.
Only the next day, happening to q
into a large fruit and flower store, h,
saw Fred Holman selecting the content
of a large fancy basket of choicest fruit
and rarest blossoms. Nodding carelessl,
to Harvey, he wrote the address upon
card, and attached it to the prett,
basket.
Harvey, taking the place Fred haC
Just vacated, read the card:
Mrs. F. Holman, No %, Ralpl
Street."
What proof was needed now? 1t wa
not in the nature of Harvey Frothing
ham to work openly in any scheme. I
blow in the dark suited him better
Feeling sure of his position now, h
hurried homeward to write two anony
o letters, that would, he fondl,
hoped, disinherit and utterly confount
his so long successful rival.
One of these venomous missives founC
Maude Chesterton in her pretty bou
doir, triiing with some embroidery, anC
dreaming sweet dreams of her love anC
Fred HOlman's devotion.
She was a handsome, dignifed girl o
nineteen, full of womanly sweetness
unspoiled by her great wealth. Sh,
loved him with the whole strength o
her young heart, and she was sure tina
. her love was returned. With the divin,
intuition of true love, she knew tina
were she beggared or deformed Free
would love her still the same. No
for the money had he sought her 70,