The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-07-26
OUR STORY TELLER.
A LITTLE MISTAKE.
BY ANNIE s. FROST.

as he shot through the main street of
the town OIL his 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
paper box factory. Entirely ignoring
The fact that Harvey rockingham was
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
dignified reserve taught him the lesson
he needed, that when he sought her for
his wife she refused the honor.
{" As if, by Jove," the angry man
meditated, al was only hod car
rier."
To add to hisdiscomfture, 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 was 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 little in advance in
every study, carrying away the contested
prizes far more frequently than 1t suited
Harvey he should.
In society, Fred handsome face, ready
wit, courteous manners, and frank, sunny
temper kepthim ever in higher favor thar
Harvey Frothingham's sullen cold dis
position could ever gain. And now, wher
Maude had been ever gracious to the son Of
the wealthy banker, Silas rockingham
she answered his love suit by the tiding'
that his lifelong rival had her promise
to be his bride.
And the worst of it is, it will be jus
the match to suit his uncle" muttereC
Harvey, savagely "No fear of his dis
inheriting Fred now."
For Harvey knew that Fred depended
upon the goodwill of his mother brother
James Rutherford, wealthy and eccen
trio bachelor, for his income. He ha'
been left an orphan when a mere bo
and his uncle had adopted and educate
him, and would probably make him hi
heir. But the bachelor having long ag
put away sentiment, if he ever felt il
looked to Fred to make match tina
would increase his fortune and socis
position. 1t was the wish of his hear
to see Fred the husband of Maud
Chesterton, and his wish was to be flu
filed. Harvey rockingham, at ode
with love, would have liked to see h
rival refused, disinherited, humbled, {
he felt himself humbled, since neitht
love nor money would accept him.
He strobe over the pavement in sa
age mood, and started suddenly to 81
Josephine Ormund coming out of IL
drug store few steps ahead of hir
In her hand were several packages, al
her face was pale and anxious. In a m
ment Harvey wasb by her side.
"Let me carry some of your parcels
he said, lifting his hat as he spoke.
"Thank you, have only a few ste
to CO." answered Josie, hurrying fo
ward, nervously.
"You need not be afraid of me
Harvey said, noting the nervous manne
al will not annoy you! Why will you N
believe my respect for you is as gre
Amy loveT
And before he knew exactly whe
his words were leading him, the you
man was renewing the offer he had ma
before.
Under the doorway of small ter
ment house Josie stopped and fac
him.
"You have spoken so before, Mr.. Frot
ingham," she said, gently, and becau
think you are sincere Twill tell y
what | have kept secret for s
months, am already marriedr'
"Josie, hurry. Why do you sta
there?' cried voice in the narrow ha
way, and man stepped into the bar
light thrown across the open door by t
street lamp.
Fred Holmanw muttered Harve
starting forward. "Married! and
Fred Holmanp
1t almost consoled him in his disf
pointment to think of the hold he b
on his rival. Engaged to Maude Oh
terton, and married to Josie Ormun
Fancy the proud face when she KIN
she had been deceived for girl W
worked in factory. And sweeter 81
was it to Harvey rockingham to thi
of the rage of James Rutherford wh
the news reached him.
But in his triumph Harvey Frothil
ham resolved to be very cautious,
have strong proof of his rival marris
before venturing to accuse him to eitl
his uncle or betrothed. He motto
the number of the house, in the glare
the street lamp: No. %, Ralph Sire
This was the entry he made in his nc
book, in case his memory proved trea
erous. 1t seemed to him that fortl
favored his plans.
Only the next day, happening to
into large fruit and flower store,
saw Fred Holman selecting the conte
of a large fancy basket of choicest fri
and rarest blossoms. Nodding careles
to Harvey, he wrote the address upo
card, and attached it to the pre-
basket.
Harvey, taking the place Fred
Just vacated, read the card:
"Mrs. F. Holman, No %, Ra
Street."
What proof was needed now? 1t
not in the nature of Harvey Frothi
ham TO work openly in any scheme.
blow in the dark suited him bet
Feeling sure of his position now,
hurried homeward TO write two ano
nous letters, that would, he fon
hoped, disinherit and utterly confol
his 50 long successful rival.
One OF Inese VenOm0uS mlsslveS fol
Maude Chesterton in her pretty b
doir, trihing with some embroidery,
dreaming sweet dreams of her love
Fred Holman's devotion.
She was handsome, dignified girl
nineteen, full of womanly sweetn
unspoiled by her great wealth.
loved him with the whole strength
her young heart, and she was sure t
har IrANyn nNxrna Nnft II IL 4
intuition OF true love, she knew t
were she beggared or deformed F
would love her still the same.
for the money had he sought her