River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-09-25
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

W eSl has Coluc HUNT. DIG SG6HiSU 10
be deeply moved, and various were the
shades that chased each other over her
fair face
and has Frank come with h1ml'' ask
ed Nellie, with an eager look and tone.
II don know anything about Frank,
returned Lydia, with toss of the head
that had some contempt IN it. "Only
the names of those VINO have brought
home money with them are printed.
You can look for yourself
Nellie took the paper, and saw that
Sidney T. West had brought home eighty
thousand dollars. Below She saw list
of passengers, and IN it she found the
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.
II should ike to see him, at all even IS, 7
replied Nellie, and then she went or
reading the paper.
| Lydia and Nellie Collins were sisters
the former being twenty-eight years OF
age, and the latter six years younger.
Their father, who had been at one time
quite fourIshing merchant, had been
dead number of years, and the sisters
| lived with their mother in a fine house
and in fashionable part of the city.
Mrs. Collins was naturally good wO-
man; but fashion had turned her head
somewhat, and she thought more Of hav
ing her daughters move in select circles
| than she did of surrounding them with
healthful influences. But there was a
vast difference between the dispositions
OF these two daughters. Nellie had been
| 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 cur
rent of humanity-of natural, grateful
| love underlying her whole nature, and
even her schemIng, fashionable sister
respected her for it, though she probably
had no real conception Of why tins re-
spect was called forth.
1t was generally supposed that Mrs.
| Collins was wealthy. She owned the
house in which she lived ana it was
known that her husband had lett her con-
siderable money.
! Sidney and Frank West were cousins,
and had once been clerks in the employ
of Mr. Collins. Three years previous to
the opening Of our story they went to
| California 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
cheerfully admitted, and warmly well
coined Sidney was tall, dashing- tel
low, five 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 Tar the most intelligent,
| though he lacked "stylea In tact, he
was rather commonplace in his manners
and conversation, depending more upon
| the substance OF what he did and said
than upon the show he could make
But Sidney blazed and flashed avay like
a pyrotechnic battery, and he was not
| long in enrapturng Lydia and her mo-
ther. Frank and Nellie finally drew to-
| gether upon one of the tete-a tetes, and
there enjoyed a conversation by them
selves.
II must secure that man" said Lydia,
after the visitors had gone.
"What, returned her sister with some
surprise, "do you mean Sidney Westl"
Indeed do.
You cannot do such thing, Lydia
Are you not engaged to Charles AdamsG3
"No-indeed am not"
"But you have given him every en-
couragement."
II 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 hlm no
promises"
"But, pursued Nellie with troubled
look, "you have given INN every encour
agement, and know that he loves you
and think you mean to be his wife.
''And do you think would give my
hand to poor clerk, when such prlze
as this is within my grasp said Lydia,
with much warmth.
You should not call Charles Adams a
poor clerk" said Nellie, reproachfully.
ale has salary OF two thousand dollars
year and will soen 90 into business on
his own account. You know he has CON
ided to you statement Of all his pecuni.
ary plans and prospects.
''Yes-so he has, retorted the elder
sister; and if he ever succeeds in business
it must be some years first, during which
time his wife must be helping him save
No, nS-none of that for me, while hus-
band is within my grasp who is already
rich"
81 think" spoke Mrs. Collins at this
point "that Sidney West offers a very dc
sirable match l think he loves Lydia,
and would make her a very good nus
band"
II know he used to love me- said
ydia.
But you returned his love by treating
him very coldly,' suggested Nellie.
''That was when he was only poor
clerk" returned the proud beauty; shut
now that he has returned with the gold |
en- fleece OF Phryxus, he is quite differ
ent person
"He will make very eligible match,
pronounced the mother, with much de- |
clsion. She spoke as though she ha |
made up her mind, and wished TO hear |
no more argument On the Point.
"And now let me ask You a question, |
SAID Lydia. turning to her sister. you
probably remember that BIZ. Frank West /
used to have particular regard for you, /
and should Judge from the clumsy man /
ner IN which he deported himself this ev-
ening, that he not only had the same re
gard now, but that he had some hopes OF /
in his suit.
"WelI," returned Nellie, very quietly. |
'Would you give HIM your handf"
perhaps so-if he should ask me for
you would, my childa' interposed
Mrs. Collins.
II should, was Nellie's answer. "That
is, she added, ''if | found him to be
what think be is
"But, my daughter" resumed the
mother with some show Of concern, ''you
should reflect upon this. had hoped
hat you would give your hand to Ed
vim Lotion You know he is wealthy
md is very anxious to gain you for a
wife while this Frank Vest IS probably /
DOOR, and not calculated to rise in the
world"
allow do you know he is poor, moth
RI II
II learned to-day that only one Of the
ousins brought home money. Sidney
las been shrewdly specializing, and com
ng gold, while the other was drudging,
5 he will probably continue TO do"
Well, mother" replied Nellie, after ]