The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-06-19

she could not remember whether she
had put it there or not The man stood
looking ut her in an expectant way;
she felt that any delay about the mes
sage might be fatal to its worth; per-
plexity and uncertainty ruled her abso-
lutely. She was about to explain her
dilemma. and return to her hotel for
money, when q gentleman, who had
heard and watched the whole proceed
ing, said:
"Madam, I perceive that time is of
great importance to you, and that you
have lost your purse: allow me to pay
for the message. You can return the
money if you wish. My name is Will
lam Smith. I am staying at the
American
"Thank you, sir. The message is
OF the gravest Importance to my broth
er. gratefully accept your offer"
Further knowledge proved MIR. Will
lam Smith to be New York capitalist
who was slightly known to three OF the
gentlemen in Eleanor's party; SO that
the acquaintance began SO informally
was very speedily afterward inaugu-
rated with all theforms and ceremonies
good society demands. 1t was soon
possible, too, for Eleanor to explain
the circumstances which, even in her
code of strict etiquette. made q stran-
gers offer of money for the hour q
thing to be gratefully accepted. She
had seen in the door of the Postoffice
runaway cashier of her brothers, and
his speedy arrest involved a matter of
at least forty thousand dollars.
This Mr.. William Smith was total
ly different man to Eleanor's last lover
"a bright, energetic, alert business
man, decidedly handsome and gentle
manly. Though his name was greatly
against him in Eleanor's preiudices,
she found herself quite unable to re-
sist the CHEEKY, pleasant influence he
carried with him. And it was evident
from the very first day of their &C.
quaintance that Mr.. William Smith had
but one thought-the winning of Flea
nor Bethune.
When she returned to New York in
the autumn she ventured to cast up her
accounts with life, and she was rather
amazed at the result. For she was
quite aware that she was in love with
this William Smith in a way that she
had never been with the other. The
first had been sentimental ideal; the
second was q genuine case of sincere
and passionate affection. She felt that
the desertion of this lover would be
grief far beyond the power of satin and
lace to cure.
But her new lover had never a dis
10y al thought to his mistress, and his
love, transplanted to the pleasant
places of New York life, seemed to
lind its native air. 1t enveloped
Eleanor now like a glad and heavenly
atmosphere; she was so happy that
she dreaded any change; 1t seemed to
her that no change could make her
happier.
But if good is good, still better car
ries the day. and Mr.. Smith thought
marriage would be great deal better
than love-making. Eleanor and he
were sitting in the fire-lit parlor, very
still and very happy. when he whis-
pered this opinion to her.
cit is only four months since we
met, dear"
"Only tour months, darling; but 1
had been dreaming about you four
months before that. Let me hold your
hands, sweet, while l tell you. On the
2Oth of last April l was on the point of
leaving for Colorado to look after the
Silver Cliff Mine. My carriage was
ordered, and 1 was waiting at my hotel
for it. A servant brought me letter -
the dearest, sweetest 1ittl.. letter-see,
here it isr' and this William Smith
absolutely laid before Eleanor her own
pretty. loving reply to the first William
Smiths offer.
Eleanor looked queerly at it and
smiled. "What did you think, dear?"
"That it was just the pleasantest
thing that had ever happened to me.
II was directed to Mr.. w. Smith, and
had been given into my hands. l was
not going to seek up any other w.
Smith,"
"But you must have been sure that
it was not intended for you, and you
did not know Eleanor Bethune.'
"Oh, beg your pardon, sweet
heart; it sOas intended for me. can
imagine destiny standing sarcastically
by your side, and watching you send
the letter to one w. Smith when she
intended it for another w. Smith.
Eleanor Bethune meant to know just
as soon as possible. 1 was coming
back to New York to look for YOU"
"And. instead, she went to you in
Colorado"
''Only think of that! Why. love,
when that blessed telegraph clerk said,
who sends this messenger and you
said, Mrs. Eleanor Bethune,' l wanted
to fling my hat to the SKY. l did not
lose nay head rs badly when they found
that new lead in the Silver Cliff"
won't you give me that letter, and
let me destroy ie, William? 1t was
written to the wrong Smith, and de-
livered to the wrong Smith"
cit was written to the wrong Smith,
but it was given to the right Smith.
Still, Eleanor, if you will say one little
word to me, you may do what you like
with the letter."
Then Eleanor whispered the word,
and the blaze of the burning letter made
little illumination in honor of their
betrothal kiss.-Harper's Weekly.
Gentlemen's Clothing.
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