The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-04
A Little Mistake.

A Little Mistake.
Miss Minerva Blair, spinster on the
shady side of forty, and her niece, Miss
Hope Alexander, also SINGLE but on the
sunny side of twenty, sat in the pleasant
sitting-room of q pleasant country mansion,
listening to the rumble of the afternoon
railway train, which was Just arriving ut
the depot.
"Alr. Harvey will be here in few min
utcs, Hope" said the aunt; land you
must be cordial to him, unless it is your
desire to offend me-.
81 wish the train had had a collision :"
was the rather vlndictive reply, though a
sly half f-smle showed that the words were
hardly meant.
"Hopc!" cried the other, somewhat
sternly. "You are positively sinful to be
so malicious. Why should you hate IL
gentleman you have never sccn2"
81 might in turn ask you why should |
Nobody asks you to love him."
''No. But you wish me to marry him. I"
'Well," apologizcd the aunt, 81 would
like to see you as well settled as you Ger
tainly would be with Walter Harvey. The
love can come afterward. l know you
will like him"
"Why, Aunt Nlino,va, you have never
met him yoursclf!"
''Not since he was little boy. But
have always known his parents, and they
ARE worthy people,"
$50 were Hope Alexandcr's, l Think"
poutingly said the younger lady. "And
yet you see what perversc scapcgrace you
have got for niece"
Even Miss Minerals grim features had
TO relax little. But any further CONVEX
sation was cut off by ring at the outer
door.
"Hc has come" said Miss Blair. "You
must at least treat him civilly, Hope"
''Indecd will, aunty, for your sake"
said the girl, with touch of good feeling.
Miss Minerva went herself to admit the
visitor.
"Nlr. Harvey she said to the dark
bearded, handsome young man whom she
admitted, 'it gives me genuine pleasure
TO welcome you to this house. have
known your family so many years, that
you almost seem friend"
"1ndecd. l hope to bo one," was the
frank reply.
You must let me send my niece to
you, " said Miss Minerva, as soon as the
newcomer was fairly seated. "I am house
keeper, you know, and cannot neglect my
duties, but you will have substitute whom
you must learn to like"
''You would hardly say that if YOU
knew all, the gentleman remarked soto
U0ce
II am afraid have humored her into
being little wiful, but she is kind
hearted and good"
md n, = a.
old maiden lady left the room.
She was gone scarcely long enough to
allow the young man to collect his thoughts
ere she again stood In the doorway, say
ing:
''Mr. Harvey, present my niece, Miss
Hope Alexander.
And slender, rustling figure was half
pushed into the room, where it stood bow
ing with a semi-haughty air.
Something like a smile was upon the
young gentleman's countenance, and he
kept his eyes fastened upon the girls face :;
but she did not look up, waiting in silence
Tor him to speak. But he too seemed
wordless, and only gave vent to an cmbar-
rassed "Aheml"
Miss Blair wondered little, and
frowncd little, at her niece's pervcrsc be-
havior. But she wisely concluded to leave
them together.
IL must attend to getting supper" she
then said. ~ will leave you together for
time"
AS soon as she was fairly gone, sHopel'
cried the young man. The girl raised her
eyes at once.
arthur is 1t your IL did not expect
you. thought it was your cousin Walter
who was coming"
ut will require quite talk to explain
oil, my Hope" he answered. "And l
almost fear your aunt may oyerhear u.s."
His arm went about her waist. Siy Miss
Hope, not to have told her aunt tho secret
this action implied Wicked Miss Hone.
to deceive so good relativel
At present she was only charming Miss
Hope to the only eyes that looked upon her,
and in sooth she was flushed and vory
pretty.
"We will stroll into the garden, Arthur
There we can talk without danger of being
4. overheard"
SO they walked out into the pleasant
paths of the home grounds, and over the
greensward, to the roots of great buck
{ eye-tree, where they found cozy seats
"tiave you ever told your aunt about
ME, Hope ~
b II could not, Arthur. She has been 90
welded to the idea Of uniting myself 70 tho