River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-03-17
A NATURAL MISTAKE.

II say, Prince |"
Prince Winslow, fishing, under
fragrant bank of sweet fern, looked up
and beheld the good-natured counte-
nance of his friend Doctor Denleigh.
"Helen wants you to come up this
afternoon, if you can"
"Have they Gomez
Eyes"
The two men smiled into each others
faces. The younger one looked at his
watch.
II shall have to go home and dress.
Tell Mrs Denleigh that will be around
about four o'clock"
So the arrival of the Misses 0elwyn
spoiled delightful days fishing for
Prince; but he accepted the situation
quite good-naturedly. Indeed, perfect
as was the weather and excellent his
luck, he no sooner heard the expected
news than sudden willingness to fore
90 the Joys of the seen for the delights
of the unseen took possession of him.
And as soon as the doctors CHEEKY face
disappeared from the bank, he with
drew his patent fly from the water,
wound up his line and with his fishing.
rod over his shoulder, began to ascend
the winding path to the road.
Pretty girls were not plenty in Red
field; and the Misses Selwyn had been
described to him as very pretty, also
accomplished and very charming.
They were the orphan nleces OF the
Observation-Disclosures in q small way
and had arrived to spend the delightful
month of October with their relatives.
Now Mrs. Helen Denleigh was nice
little woman, but not altogether disln-
terested any more than the rest OF NOR
tails. Pretty girls were rare in Redfeld,
but eligible young men were not; and
she certainly had no objection to her
husbands nieces making nice matrl-
monial connections while with hel. In
fact she had had her fair and de-
Donair young neighbor, Prince Wins
low, in her mind when extending the
invitation to the girls. He was a good
natured fellow, cultured and intelligent,
wealthy, and belonging to one of the
best families in the country.
Since both the girls were beautiful,
and either could make him suitable
wife, why should not this young scion
of titled colonial family become Mrs.
Helen's nephew?
The lazy October afternoon was at
its richest when Prince came up the
4utumn-red avenue of the naples. A
servant meeting him at the door of the
mansion said that the ladies were in
the garden, and Mrs. Denleigh would
like to have him come there.
III cd wont down
among the flowers; but scarcely had he
taken a dozen steps in the direction IN
dicated, when he stopped in alarm. A
pretty figure rose among the shrub
berry, reaching for a branch of crimson
leaves, and as quickly went down with
a scream of terror.
Prince comprehended instantly that
the girl had lost her balance and fallen
into the pond. He heard the splash
and other screams of fright.
In an instant he was on the spot.
Though the pond was a mere toy-pond
for fish, he saw instantly that the white
faced girl was beyond her depth, and
would soon be drowned but for timely
help. The other ladies who were run
ming away for assistance, returned at
y
man, incoherently, to ''save Amy as
he flung off his coat and sprang into
the water.
The chill or shock had made the
girl quite unconscious by the time he
reached her, and, lifting her petite
form in his arms, waded out of the wa
ter.
LET some one who is dry take her
up to the house-she will come to in a
minute" he said, trying to rid himself
of some of his superfuous moisture.
Two of the men servants wrapped
the dripping girl in a blanket, from the
grass, and bore her away, while Mrs.
Denleigh besought him to follow her,
and allow her to furnish him with some
dry clothing.
Now it had not occurred, so far, to
prince to fall in love; but, looking up,
he beheld face which, while regard
ing him with concern, was so altogether
lovely that he then and there lost his
heart.
Honor, my dear, please lend Mr..
Winslow that blanket from the ham,
mock; and, Prince, do hurry-there's
a good fellow! If you get your death,
the doctor will say that it was all my
fault-that I did not take immediate
precautions"
"I'll run to the kitchen, auntie, and
ge5 something hot for them to take"
said Honor.
eyes, do, dear" and Prince follow
ed, now quite willingly, to the house.
II don't think it would hurt me 10
walk home for another suit of clothes, "
he said; "but ! will take glass of ia
maica ginger before I go, /" stalking up
the path, wrapped in red blanket,
like an Indian. "She is very pretty
in an aside to Mrs. Denleigh, as Honor
disappeared.
Yes, charming" nodded Mrs. Den
leigh, well pleased.
$50 it's to be Amy. The accident
has settled the whole thing" she said
to herself
Thus she took no pains to show off
Honors graces, but henceforth Amy's
PROJECTIONS were strenuOusly dwelt
upon.
| do not know why Prince fell in with
this state of things. lie understood
Mrs. Denleigh's mistake very well.
Perhaps it was because something in
Honor Selwyn's sweet, strong face
made him fear to dare his fate; and
day by day he Rugged his secret.
Fortunately, Amy, young and elias
tic, recovered instantly from her cold
water plunge.
There was week after week of unex-
ceptionable weather, and as Mrs. Den
leigh meant to make her nieces' stay
as enjoyable and attractive as possible,
rides. drives and sails followed each
other in merry succession. Other
young people were invited to the
Naples, adding to and enjoying the
holiday.
If Mrs. Denleigh had had more
leisure in which to observe the signs OF
the times she might have discovered
her error in regard to Prince but her
duties as hostess to 50 much company
left her little leisure to make investi-
cations.
The sisters were seldom far apart,
and seeing Prince generally near Amy,
she did not suspect that she had jump
ed to hasty and wrong conclusion.
But this is not the mistake of my
story. / must go on to tell you that
bonny Prince Winslow, full of youth
and grace, but equally full Of conflict
ing hope and fear, came lightly up the
maple avenue, one morning, and found
the pariors and library deserted.
He had entered unnanounced at the
omen hall door exnpcting as usual, TO