West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-02-14
A Little Mistake.

Miss Minerva Blair, spinstcr OH the
shady side of forty, and her niece, Miss
Hope Alexander, also single, but on the
sunny side of twenty, sat in the pleayant
sitting-roOm of a pleasant country mansion.
listening TO the rumble of the afternoon
railway train, which was just arriving mt
the depot.
''Mr. Harvey will be here in few min
utes, Hope, said the aunt "and YOU
must be cordial to him, unless it is your
desire TO offend me. >"
81 wish the train had had collision :"
was the rather vindictive reply. though u
sly half-smile showed that the words were
hardly meant.
''Hope!' cried the other, somewhat
sternly. "You are positively sinful to be
80 malicious. Why should you hate
gentleman you have never seen 2"
81 might in turn ask you why should
love gentleman | had never seen Z"
Nobody asks you TO love him"
mo. But you wish me TO marry him. "
"Well, apologiZed the aunt, 81 would
like 10 see you as we'll settled as you GER
tainly would be with Walter Harvey. The
love can come afterward / know you
will like him"
why, Aunt Minerva, you have never
met him yoursefl"
Not since he was little boy. But
have always known his parents, and they
are worthy people"
poutingly said the younger lady. 'And
yet you see what a perverse scapegrace YOU
have got for niece"
Even Miss Minerva's grim features had
to relax a. little. But any further conver-
sation was cut off by ring at the outer
door.
''He has come" said Miss Blair. "You
must at least treat him civilly, Hope"
Indeed | will, aunty, for your sake"
said the girl, with touch of good feeling.
Miss Minerva went herself TO admit the
visitor
"Mr Harvey" she said to the dark
bearded, handsome young man whom she
admitted, lit gives me genuine pleasure
TO welcome you TO this house. / have
known your family 50 many years, that
you almost seem friend"
'lndeed. / hope to be 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 81 am house.
keeper, you know, and cannot neglect NV
duties, but you will have n substitute whom
you must learn to like"
'You would hardly say that if you
knew all, y the gentleman remarked s0tIo
UOce.
81 am afraid / have humored her into
being little wilful, but she is kind
hearted and good"
And with these pleasant words. the kind
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:
MIR. Harvey, ] present my niece Miss
Hope Alexander
And slender, rusting figure was half
pushed into the room, where IL stood bow
ing with a semi-haughty air.
Something like a smile was upon the
young gentlcman's countcnauce and he
Kept ms eyes fastened upon the girls face
but she did not look up. waiting i'm silence
for him 20 speak. Bet he too seemed
wordless, and only gave vent 20 an cmbar-
rassed 'Ahcm
Miss Blair wondered a little. and
frowned a little, at her neces perverse be-
havior. But she wisely concluded TO leave
them together.
IL must attend 70 getting supper" she
then said IL will leave you together for
time"
AS soon as she was fairly gone. TIoper
cried the young man. The girl raise her
eyes at once
arthur is IL your II did not expect
you. thought it was your cousin Walter
who was coming"
1T will require quite q talk % explain
all, my Hope he answered "And
almost fear your aunt may ovcrhear u.s."
His arm went about her waist. S,v Miqs
Hope, not TO have told her aunt the secret
this action implied Wicked Miss Hone.
20 deceive so good q rclativei
AZ present she was only charming Miss
Hope TO the only eyes that looked upon her
and In sooth she was flushed and very
pretty
owe will stroll into the garden, Arthur
There we can talk without danger Of being
overheard" "
So they walked out into the pleasant
paths Of the home grounds, and over the
greensword, TO the roots Of great buck
eye-trce, where they found cory seats.
Have you ever told your aunt about
me, HopeY"
III could not, Arthur. She has been an
welded to the idea Of uniting myself 10 the