The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-06-25
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

Il NulUul u1OihAh'
"I 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 face.
"And has Frank come with him? p asked
Nellie, with an eager look and tone.
II 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 Y. West had brought home eighty
thousand dollars. Below this 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 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 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 u num-
ber OF years, and the sisters lived with their
mother in fine house and in fashionable
part of the city. Mrs. Collins was natural
" a good woman; but fashion had turned
her head somewhat, and she thought more
of having her daughters move in select cir
cles than she did of surrounding thenf with
healthiul influences. But there was 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
aot leave her when her father was taken
away. There was deep current OF hui
manity-of natural, grateful love-under-
lying her whole neture, and even her
scheming, fashionable sister respected her
for it, though she probably had no real
conception Of why this respect was called
forth.
1t waa generally supposed that Mrs Col
lins was wealthy. She owned the house in
which she lived, and it was known that her
hus band had left hes considerable 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 Calitor-
MIA to "seek their fortunes and had now
returned. as we have seen.
nd horY Ytrn
daughters were alone, Sidney and Frank
were announced. They were cheerfully
admitted, and warmly welcomed. Sidney
was tall, dashing-l looking fellow, five-and-
thirty years of age, DIRE. I'd 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 pyrotechnic battery, and he was
not long in enrapturing Lydia and her
mother. Frank and Nellie finally drew
together upon one of the tste-a-tetes, and
there enjoyed a conversation by themselves.
II must secure that man" said Lydia,
after the visitors had gone.
"What," returned her sister, with some
surprise, do you mean Sidney West"
"Indeed I do"
. "You cannot do such thing, Lydia.
Are you not engaged to Charles Adams"
"No-indeed ! am not"
"But you have given him every en-
couragement."
81 may have done 20 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 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 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, reproachfully.
"He has salary of two thousand dollars
a year, and will soon 60 into business on
his own account. You know he has con-
6ded to you statement of all his pecuni-
ary plans and prospects,
"Yes-so he has" retorted the elder Sis
ter; and if he ever succeeds in business, it
must 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"
Il think" spoke Mrs. Collins, at this
point that Sidney West offers a very de-
sirab,e match. l think he loves Lydia,
and would make her very good husband" !"
"Iknow he used to love me, said Lydia.
"But you returned his love by treating
him very coldly," suggested Nellie.
That vas when he was only poor
clerk" returned the proud beauty; but
now that he has returned with the golden
fleece OF Phryxus, he is quite different
person" A.
"He will make very eligible match" -"
pronounced the mother, with much decis-
ion. She spoke as though she had made
up her mind, and wished to hear no more
argument upon the point!
"And now let me ask you a question, "
said Lydia, turning to her sister. "You
probably remember that Mr.. Frank West
used to have a particular regard for you,
and should judge, from the clumsy man
ner in which he deported himself this even
ing, that he not only had the same regard
now, but that he had some hope of sue
ceeding in his suit"
"Well," returned Nellie, very quietly.
"Would you give him your hand?"
"Perhaps so-if he should ask me for it. ."
"You would, my child ?" interposed Mrs.
Collins.
II should" was Nellie's answer. "That
is" she added, " if 1 found him to be what
I think he is.'
"But, my daughter resumed the mother,
with some show of .oncern, "you should
reflect upon this. ] had hoped that you
would give your hand to Edwin Lotion.
You know he is wealthy, and is very
anxious to gain you for wife, while this
Frank West is probably poor, and not cal
culated to rise in the world.'
."How do you know he is poor, mother p
"I learned to-day that only one of the
cousins brought home money. Sydney has