The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-08-04
THE FATAL ERROR,

lOOk Oh supreme contempt. Don't SPEAK
of him to me, Lizzy. His very name is an
ofense to my ears!' and the ]ady's whole
manner became disturbed.
"He will be at the ball o-night, of course,
and will renew his attentions" said the
friend, in an earnest, yet quiet voice. ''Now,
for all your expressions of dislike, I have
thought that you were really far from being
Indifferent to Mr.. Clinton, and affected q
repugnance at variance With yonr taue feel
ings:"
'.Lizzy, you will offend me if you make
use of such language. tell you he is hate
ful to me, replied Miss Hubert.
"Of course, you ought to know your own
state of mind best, (" said Lizzy Edgar. If
It'll really as you say, must confess that
my observation has not been accurate. As
to there being anything in Mr.. Clinton to
inspire an emotion of contempt, or create
SO strong dislike as you express, I have
yet to see it. To me he has ever appeared
in the light Of a gentleman"
Then suppose you make yourself agree
able to him, Lizzy," said Miss Hubert.
try to make myself agreeable to every
one, replied the even minded girl. "That
is duty I owe to those with whom I as
sociate.'
Whether you like them or not?
1T does not follow, because do not
happen to Ikea person, that should rem
der myself disagreeable to him."
Il never tolerate people don't like, said
Miss Hubert.
"We needn't associate too intimately
with those who are dlsagreeable too Us,
returned her friend; @but when we are
thrown together in society, the least we
can do is to be civil"
You may be able to disguise your real
feelings, but cannot. Whatever emotion
passes over my mind is seen in my face
and discovered in my tone of voice. All
who know me see me as I am"
And yet, not withstanding this affirm
alton, Margaret Hubert did not, at all times,
display her real feelings. And her friend
she was by no means Indifferent to Mr..
Clinton. The Appearances of dislike was
assumed as mask, and the distance and
reserve she displayed toward him were the
offspring Of a false pride and unwomanly
self esteem. The truth was, her heart had,
almost unsought, been won. The manly
bearing, personal grace and the brilliant
mind of Philip Clinton had captivated her
feelings and awakened an emotion Of love
ere she was concious that her heart was in
danger. And she had even leaned toward
him instinctively, and SO apparently that
the young man observed it, and was attracted
came at all marked in his attentions, the
whole manner of Margaret changed She
was then aware of the rashness she had
displayed, and her pride instantly took the
alarm. Reserve, dignity and even hauture
characterized her bearing toward Clinton:
and to those who spoke of him as her lover,
she replied in terms similar to what she
used to her friend Lizzy Edgar. on the
occasion to which reference has just been
made. :,
All this evidenced weakness of mind az
we'll as pride. She wished to be sought be-
fore she was won-at least, that was the
language she used to herself. Her lover
must come, like q knight Of old, and sue or
Bonded knee for favor.
Clinton observed the marked change in
her manner. Fortunately for his peace of
mind, he was not SO deeply in love as to be
very seriously distressed. He had admired
her beauty, her accomplishments, and the
winning grace OF her manners; and more,
mad felt his heart begin to warm toward
her. But the charm with which she had
been invested faded away the moment the
change OF which we have spoken became
apparent He was not a man of strong,
ungovernable impulses; oil his passions
were under the control of right reason, and
this gave him clear judgment. Consequent
ly, he was the last person in the world for
nm experiment such rs Margaret Hubert
was making. At first he though there must
be some mistake, ana continued to offer
the young lady polite attentions, cold]y ana
dlsnntly as they were received. He even
went farther than his real feelings bore him
ont IN going, and made particular advances,
in order to be perfectly satisfied that there
was no mistake about her dislike or repuo
nance.
But there was one thing which at first
Clinton did not understand. 1t was this.
frequently, when in company where Mar
saret WAS present, he would, if he turned
his eyes suddenly upon her, find that she
was looking at him with an expression
which told him plainly that he was not in
different to her. This occurred SO often
and was so often attended with
evident confusion on her part, that
ne began to have suspicion of
marked an exhibition of insincerity. Be-
sides, the thought of being experimental
upon in that way, did not in the least tend
to soften his feelings toward the fair one.
tie believed in frankness, honesty and re-
ciprocal sincerity. He liked truthful, in
genuous mind, and turned instinctively
from all artifce, coquetry and affectation.
The game which Miss Hubert was play
lag had been in progress for only a short
ume, When her friend LiZZy Edgar, who
was on terms of close intimacy, spent the
day with her, occupying lnost of the time
IN preparation for fancy ball that was to
come off that night. The two young ladies
attired themselves with much care, each
with view to effect. Margaret looked
particularly to the assumption of certain
dignity, and her costume for the evening
had been chosen with that end in view. A
ruff and her grandmothers rich silk bro
cade did give to her tall person all the dig
nifty she could have desired,
AT the proper time. the father of Miss
Hubert accompanied the young ladies' to
the ball, preparations for which had for
some time been in progress. As soon al
most as Margaret entered the room her eyes
began to wander about in search Of Mr..
Clinton. It was not long before she dis
covered him-not long before his eyes rest
ed upon and recognized her stately figure.
II she be playing part, as I more than
half suspect" said the young man to him
sell, her performances will end to- night,
SO far as am concerned"
And with the remark he moved toward
that part OF the room where the two young
ladies were standing. Lizzy returned his
salutatlon with frank and easy grace, but
MarQeret drew herself mn col6lv and 70