The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1879-06-18
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

al declare said Lydia Collins, who had
taken up the morning paper, Sidney West
has come home" She seemed to be deeply
moved, and various were the shades that
chased each other over her fair free.
And has Frank come with him?' asked
Nellie, with an eager look and tone.
~ don't know anything about Frank"
returned Lydia, with toss of the head that
had some contempt in it. "Only the names
of those who have brought home money
with them are printed. YOU can look for
yourself"
Nellie took the paper, and saw that Sid
ney 4. West had brought home eighty
thousand dollars. Below this she saw
list OF passengers and in it she found tht
name OF Frank West; but there was no
mention made of his having brought home
any money.
Frank has come,' she cried, in glad
tones.
"Well, suppose he has? OF course you
do not mean to renew the old intimacy
az should like to see him, at all events"
replied Nellie, and then she went on read
ing the paper.
Lydia and Nellie Collins were sisters
the former being twcnty-eight years of age,
I'd the latter six years younger. Their
lther, who had been at one time quite
hourishing merchant, had been dead II num-
her of years, and the sisters lived with thei
mother in fine house and in a fashionable
part of the city. Mrs. Collins was natural
ly good woman but fashion had turned
her head somewhat, and she thought NOR,
o having her daughters move in select cir
cles than she did of surrounding them with
healthful influences But there was vast
difference between the dispositions of these
two daughters Nellie had heen her
fathers pet, and had drawn from him
fund of sound sense and reason which her
sister had failed TO obtain, and which did
not leave her when her father was taken
away. There was deep current of hu-
manity-of natural, grateful love-under
lying her whole neture, and even her
ssheming, fashionable sister respected her
for it, though she probably had no real
conception of why this respect was called
forth.
1t was generally supposed that Mrs. Col
lins was wealthy. She owned the house in
which she lived, and it was known that her
husband had left her considerable money
Sidney and Frank West wnre cousins
and had once been clerks in the employ of
Mr.. Collins. Three years previous to the
MIA to "seek their fortunes" and had now
returned. as we have seen.
One evening" as Mrs Collins and her two
daughters were alone, Sidney and Frank
were announced. They were cheeriully
admitted, and warmly welcomed. Sidney
was a tall, dashing- g-loaking fellow, fve-and-
thirty years of age, dressed in the height Of
fashion, and flashing with costly jewelry.
His cousin was Some years younger, and
dressed very plainly. Frank was by far
the most intelligent, though he lacked
"style." In fact, he was rather common
place in his manners and conversation, de-
pending more upon the substance of what
he did and said than upon the show he
could make. But Sidney blazed and flashed
away like a pyrotechnic battery, and he was
not long in enrapturing Lydia and her
mothers Frank and Nellie finally drew
together upon one of the tete-d-tetes, and
there enjoyed conversation by themselves.
must secure that manP said Lydia,
after the visitors had gone.
"What," returned her sister, with some
surprise, " do you mean Sidney WestP
Indeed do"
You cannot do such a thing, Lydia
Are YOU not engaged to Charles Adams ?"
"No-indeed | am not"
but you nave given MIN every en-
couragement."
may have done so while he was the
best match that offered" returned Lydia,
with toss of her head, But have been
very guarded in my conversation with him.
/ have made him no promises"
But" pursued Nellie, with a troubled
look, you have given him every encourage
ment, and know that he loves you, and
thinks you mean TO be his WIFE,
And do you think l would give my
hand to poor clerk, when such prize as
this is within my grasp?" said Lydia, with
much warmth.
" You should not. call Charles Adams a
poor clerk" said Nellie, reproschfully.
" He has a salary of two thousand dollars
year, and will soon go into business on
his own account. You know he has con-
hded to you a statement of all his pecuni-
AIRY plans and prospects"
Yes--so he has" retorted the elder sis
ter; and if he ever succeeds in business, it
Hust be some years first, during which
Time his wife must be helping him save.
No, no-none of that for me, while hus-
band is within my grasp who is already
independently rich"