The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-11-07

Archie was not the only one on whom
the gay sunshine exercised such bright
influence, for as he reached the summit
of the hillock he heard a fresh young
voice gayly caroling :" Scenes that are
brightest"
al didn't think my aunt sang so
gloriously," thought the young man, as
he opened the little white gate and Ell
tered the garden. In vain he looked
around to see from whence the voice
proceeded. Nobody was visible. At
last he saw golden head appear above
the shrubbery, and figure soon emerged
from the shadow, anu came slowly down
the path.
Down went Archie's portElanteau on
the gravel, and he himself springing
forward put his arms round the white
neck and imprinted a sounding kiss on
the lady's forehead, exclaiming, "What,
aunt, l very believe you have been
growing younger since saw you"
Well, Archie" was the reply, % we
won't discuss that now. So you really
left London and all its gayeties to come
to us7 Now, l know you must be tired
with travelling" she continued; l." let
me show you to your room. Recollect,
we dine at two, SO you have an hour to
rest. Come in"
Poor Archie! he was quite bewildered
by the sight of this lovely creature who
stood before him, attired in the most
coquettish of morning dresses, which
seemed to have been made with view
TO the annihilation Of the male sex, and
felt more than willing to submit him
self to her guidance. Little did he
know what followed his entry into his
room. Down went his guide into the
tiny breakfastroom, where sat a lady
who looked up at her entrance.
Oh, Grace" she painted forth, "you
can't think what | have done. Your
nephew, Captain Arlington, came in
just now, saw me in the garden, and
| actually thought | was his aunt. 1t
was too absurd. The creature put his
! arm around my neck and kissed me. |
was thunderstruck; but as the worst was
! over | thought that | would leave him
in ignorance little longer. How tire
some to think he must be told now !"
finished the lady.
"Well, Minnie," replied Archie's ver-
liable aunt, this is pretty! However,
as he has been taken in so easily, we
won't undeceive him. You, dear, must
still sustain the character of Mrs.
Grace Arlington, and for the time be-
ing, recollect that am Minnie Rhyl.
| Hush, here he isp
The handle of the door turned, and
admitted the Captain, who commenced
his remarks to Minnie, but stopped
short at the sight of Mrs. Arlington,
and glanced inquiringly at his supposed
aunt.
"Ibeg your PARDON" said poor Min
ME, rising hurriedly. "Archie, Miss
Rhyl, my particular friend; Minnie,
dear, Captain Arlington"
The Oriental aunt rose and bowed
profoundly to her handsome nephew,
some trivial remark relative to the
pleasure he felt at seeing her.
The conversation, stiff at first, soon
became general, and cordiality took the
place of restraint. Merrily chatted the
trio until dinner was announced. Archie
was astounded to see with what neatness
and elegance the meal was served, and
by the time it was concluded he thought
it was indeed a paradise into which he
entered.
Days and weeks flew by in blissful Sc.
renity, and vet the secret remained i'm
discovered and unsuspected by Captain
Arlington. But, alas, bad actions, like
good ones, must come to the light anC
one night Archie found out the trick
that had been so successfully played OF
him.
A racking toothache formed q suffi
cient excuse for his non-appearance al
dinner, and once alone in his own room
he sat down and wrote a long, reproach
full letter to his real aunt, begging he
to accord him an interview that thi
mystery might be cleared up. He in
trusted his missive to the servant, de
string her to Immediately deliver i
to her mistress.
Now" thought Archie, ''I shall SCI
! who is the mistress"
The real Mrs. Arlington was sitting O
! chair, under the Captains window
with Minnie reposing on the soft grass
when her maid gave her the letter. Al
chic leaning out of the window note
how pale his aunt grew, but he was SUI
J prised to hear her laugh merrily as sh
folded up the paper, and gayly exclaimed
: "We are found out, Minnie, after a
our trouble"
ooh, Grace" she faltered, chow h
: will hate me now-and l love him S
! much"
She uttered the avowal unthinkingl,
but on lifting up her face to see VIII:
r effect it had on Mrs. Arlington, she b,
0 held, to her unspeakable horror, A
}, chie's eyes fixed en- her, while he leane
t from his window in breakneck pos
ton, and contemplated the scene belov
Poor frightened little dove, she fe
~ away to the shrubbery, anywhere to |
' alone, to think over her dreadful pos
!, ton, while Archie, scarcely less affecte
: scrambled out of the window and stot
: flushed and breathless before his aun
- Come, Archie" said the lady, " /
= us be friends, and will tell you a
about it,"
;, "Now, you are not to blame Mimi
,; in the least, for it is all my doing"
. f'Blame herp' calculated the your
- man; ono, not 1. Oh, auntie," he G
> claimed, may just as well confide
6 you at once. 1 love Minnie Rhyl mo
= - than can tell you, but | dared not tt
her so before, but since my sentimen
~ are so fully reciprocated, nave only
= ask my darling's consent" and so sa
% ing, he disappeared into the shrubber
Miss Rhyl," he said.
!: The dropping figure raised itself, b
~ Minnie's violet orbs still sought t
: ground-and the tears dropped on b
w white hands. Archie felt his own moi
h. and his tongue for once very silent.
to last he collected courage to Sc
re Minnie, won't you tell me about it
/ har of &C.
re exclaimed, Why, did not Mrs. Arlir
in ton tellyou?'
rs. The deceitful captain shook his he
iy down went the eyes again, land br'
Ist enly, tearfully, the young girl told
,r. tale, with her head bowed all the tir
fearing Archie's anger; but at lene
er she stood up boldly and said, "C'
he tain Arlington, may l hope that y
ry will forgive and forgetP'
nd "There is nothing to forgive, lit