The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-01-16
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.

II NulUal MILD i AAus
To say that Harvey rockingham was
in bad temper was to put the mildest
form of words to express the savage
mood in which he found himself one
winters evening, as he shot through the
main street of the town of l., on his
way homeward. Everything had gone
contrary to his wishes all the week.
To commence with, he had fallen in
love with Josephine Ormund, whose
pretty face was her only fortune, and
who worked in papor-box factory for
her daily bread.
Entirely ignorant of the fact that Har-
vey rockingham was man of standing
and wealth in IL, pretty Josie al
lowed the minor facts, that he was in
sultingly free in his addresses, to in
fuence her so strongly, that her digni-
fed reserve taught him the lesson he
needed; and when he sought her for his
wife she refused the honor.
To add to this discontinue, the heir.
ess, Miss Maude Characterization he
had held in reserve, that his ambition
might win wife if his love would not
had coolly informed him that she was en-
gagged to Fred Holman.
Now, if there was one man above
another who was utterly detestable in
the eyes of Harvey rockingham, it
was Fred Holman.
They had both been rivals at school,
where both stood we'll in talent, appli-
cation and social position; and Fred was
ever little in advance in every study,
carrying away the contested prizes far
more frequently than it suited Harvey
In society, Fred's handsome face,
ready wit, courteous manners, and
frank, sunny temper kept him ever
in higher favor than Harvey Frothing-
hams sullen, cold disposition could
gain.
And now, when Maude had been ever
gracious to the son of the wealthy
banker, Silas rockingham, she an
swered his love-suit by the tidings that
his lifelong rival had won the promise
to be his bride.
Sand the worst of it is, it will be lust
the match to snit his uncle" mutterea
Harvey, savaRely. &c No fear of him
disinheriting Fred now."
For Harvey knew that Fred depended
entirely upon the goodwill of his
mothers brother, James Rutherford,
wealthy and eccentric bachelor, for his
income. He had been left an orphan
when a mere boy, and his uncle had
adopted and educated him, and would
probably make him his heir.
But the bachelor, having long ago put
away sentiment, if he ever felt it, looked
to Fred to make match that would in.
crease his fortune and social position.
no sof, Of h 10
the husband of Maude Chesterton, and
his wish was to be fulfilled.
Harvey Frothingham, at odds with
love, would like to see his rival refused,
disinherited, humbled as he felt himself
humbled, since neither love nor money
would accept him.
He strobe over the pavement in saw
age mood, and started suddenly to see
Josephine Ormund coming out of
shop few steps in advance of him.
In her hand were several small pack
ages, and her face was pale and anxious.
In moment Harvey was at her side.
"Let me carry some of your parcels,
he said, lifting his hat as he spoke.
"Thank you, have only few steps
to CO." answered Josie, hurrying for
ward nervously.
"Yeu need not be afraid of me-"
Harvey sail, noting her nervous man.
ner. 81 will not annoy you'll Why
will you not believe my respect is as
great for you as my love9"
And before he knew exactly where his
words were leading him, the young
man was renewing the offer he had made
before.
At the door of small lodging-house
Josie stopped and faced him.
"You have spoken SO before, Mr..
Frothingham," she said, gently; and
because l believe you are sincere,
will tell you what have kept secret for
six months I am already married |"
"Josie Be quick Why do you
stand there ?" cried voice in the mar
row hallway, and a man stepped into
the bar of light thrown across the open
door by a street lamp.
"Fred Holman |" muttered Harvey,
starting forward. Married and to
Fred Holman !"
1t almost consoled him in his own dis
appointment to think of the hold he had
upon his rival. Engaged to Maude
Chesterton, and married to Josie Or
mund ! Fancy the proud face when she
knew she had been deceived for girl
who worked in factory. And sweeter
still was it to Harvey rockingham to
think OF the wrath of James Rutherford
when the news reached him,
But in his triumph Harvey Frothing-
ham had resolved to be very cautious to
have strong proof of his rivals marriage
before venturing to accuse, to either his
uncle or his betrothed.
He had noticed the number of the
house in the glare of the street Iamp.
"No. % Ralph street."
This was the entry he made in his
\ Hnote-book, in case his memory proved
treacherous.
~ seemed as if fortune favored his
the next day, happening to 20