The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-02-03

Odd Fellow,
A LUCKY MISTAKE.
"Now, Bertha, read over the list, aut
tell me II have omitted any friend whom
you particularly wish to honor"
az should say mol, judging from the deptl
and thickness Of that formidable pile o
miSsiyes!" laughed pretty, Mrs. Chester
from her cosy armchair drawn up close Il
the fire in the library Of most charming
house.
1t was within week Of Christmas, and
snow was falling from leadea sky on The
lawn and wooded park that surrounded
Chester Hall. But the gloom without only
served to heighten the luxurious eomior
within. The freight danced and played
upon the rows Of gay.looking volumes thai
| lined the walls-upon the stately busts o.
by.gone poets and authors Of high reputC
that appropriately filed the cornes-upor
the bright.colored silks that had fallen
from Mn. Chester's work basket on The
rug Of valuable tlgerskin-lastly upon the
fair faces Of the two ladies who were bend.
ing over the writing table.
In the centre was aspacious card tray
which had been emptied OF Its contents,
and the elder Of the two began to call over
the names, referring at the same time &c
the piles OF written notes, proceeding
much retarded by tho comments passed
upon them. :,
"Melyilles, Grays, Hunts, Agnes Lester"
Stay, that note will have 10 BIZ burnt II
| Is Of no use to ask Agnes. She has declin'
I'd all invitations for the last two years,
until people grew 80 certain Of her refusal
that they left her alone"
"You surprise me-" returned Mrs, Har'
ding. II used 10 hear oil her as The liveli'
est girl OF your setalwaysready for frollci
and deyotedly fond Of dancing. What car
have changed her 30 y .iE
"No one has any idea, but It is great
pity, for she Is Just as charming ind beau
tii1l as ever
n must take her in hand myself and al
ter such state OF things" TejOined the
kindly widow, resuming her task. "Boyds,
PTidhams, MacLeans, and here Is name
| am unacquGinted with and laid aside ~
doubtful Who Is Rose Dayenant::"
"Oh please don't omit her, or my party
will be failure. The Daycnahts came 10
reside in this neigh borhood about eighteen
months since. She Ia the belle Of every
ball, the men are quite wild about her
and believe she might marry any one Of
them she chose, but she Is finished
eo0uette, and diEpenses her favors &C
equally, that II she has heart 1t certainly
cannot be touched" .
There was q moments silence, then she
resumed, th0ughtiully:
81 can scarcely understand Rose. have
watched her at the gayest, and seen such
a wisliul, FAR away expression suddenly
shade her face, that question whether
her gayety Is always real. '
II was an unusually sober speech for The
lively little blonde 10 utter, and betrayed
more interest than she generally felt FOL
her lady acquaintance.
There! tGAt Is the last, then" said Mrs
Harding. Il fear you will not get answer
from all the guests-the time Is so short
only tho day alter tomorrow"
AYES, that Is the worst Of It. shall no
know who Is coming. Ihope the girls will
have some sort Of toilet ready upon 81
short q notice"
'Tell them to put clean frills 10 theil
best dresSes-that Is all you require,
laughed the widow, sweeping the notel
into a capacious bag. "And now for oni
drive 10 the postoIllCe. Take plenty o
wraps with you, Bertha; the cold tsfn
tense"
The Chesters, Of Chester Hall, had beer
noted for generations back for their hospt
tally, and the reception rooms were thu
scene Of many brilliant gatherings.
The present occasion, when the guests
were so hastily called together, was for TIT
especial honor Of the young chatelainei
only brother, Henry Sinclair, and his com
panion In travel. They were literally
| birds OF passage, and their brief and unex
pected advent was IN opportunity too vel
come TO be lost; and furthermore, Alrs
Chester longed 10 reclaim her brother
from his nomadic life, and settle him dowr
with suitable bride to perform his lonI
neglected duties rs country squire. She
thought that the glimpse, trlnsisnt though
II might be, Of home life its pleasantest as
pect, and the bright faces Of the girls II
iheir English youth and freshness, woult
awaken the wish for It's constant enjoy
ment
Agnes Lester stood at the window on The
following day, an open letter 10 her hand
and q half sad expression on her lair coun
tenance. 1t was an invitation Tor the mex
evening 10 the ball, and the unlocked 10
attention awoke conflict Of feeling.
How long Il was since she held simila
missIve in her hand she did notremelnbor
but Il was two years since the tiding
reached her OF 4 heavy sorrow, all tn
heavier because In secret. Must she ceas,
10 mourn for the deadH Must she enter u
gay world once more7 Yes. She could b
as constant to his memory in the ctowde
ball room as In hOr sslt.imposed solitude
Size would accept the friendship once nor
offered TO her and 70. Then arose the ser
different, but important question, Whit
shonld she wear? There was no time
provide herself with a new robe, 80 81
proceeded to inspect the means already
her command.
; Her last dress, a rich, lustrous silk, vi
finally set side 90 not unbecoming u
event and one Of her treasures was
quantity Of choice old lace, creamy an
elegant. ,u
This was brought into requisitioa,. ar
with a camelia for her hair, and sily
Grain and bracelets for her neck and arm
she trusted the toilet would not disgra
: her reappeafance In society. She went
her chamber that hight with vague, u
defined feeling Of hope, and something
me old light.heartedness withtn, her u
/: spoke in pleasant anticipation oil The mS
! I'll The day dawned bright and frosty =
y December sun shone for briet space,
: M crisp and sparkling snow, and 70
Sank down, TO DO succeeded by eIe'
rtSrlit night
pose Dasepapt drew aside the lea
curtains when she arose from tue alpt
table, and looked out. For q wonder \, Z
W was iree from any engagement neilt
Fn mi nor concert claimed her that eyeni
and Ehe contemplated deyottng y 70
iulallment Of q duty that Of late sc 2;
r., leisure had obliged her % deler, mot y
4 Wap BY any means duty devUid.
nleasnre. Tor q visit 10 LIN. Allen the d.
", I'D Invalid lady that lived 80 near tho
~ Waa always a source Of delight 70 her.