The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-09-20

the most suspicious mind: my cousin,
Miss Raymond, let me to call on friend
while l made another in the near neigh
borhood. My cousin pointed out the
house to me, but really do not know
the house, the number, or her friends
name. She called her only Mollie. Is
there Miss Mollie-? Has Miss Ray
mo9d called? You gee. lit is very alb
surd," and the young lady ended with
would have done credit to q French wo-
man.
The young fellow smiled. yet vary re-
specially.
''There is Miss Mollie," he said.
Grace looked relieved. But she was
not yet sure.
"A lady may have called" he con-
tinued; ALTHOUGH 1 did not see her.
Miss Mollie is in New York."
"Oh, then-"hegan Grace, preparing
to retreat. But he went on.
IF you will step into my parlor, if
you please, Miss, will 60 ard inquire"
~ thank you. am sorry to trouble
you"
How utterly ridiculous this is"' she
said to herself, as she took the prohered
seat in . most elegant apartment. "To
think that I, Grace Carter, should be in
such q scrape as this! That man is
true gentleman. How does he know
while he isgone? What would Alice"
The sound of suppressed cough in
another part of the room startled her. She
became conscious that she had been
thinking aloud. Throwing for the first
time rapid glance around the room
her eyes met those ola gentleman who
was almost hidden from her view by an
angle in her room, and the deep chair
in which he was sitting. He rose from
his seat. seeing himself discovered.
Grace rose also, turning towards the
door, for she heard the sound of return.
ing sootsteps.
"The lady is not here, Miss. am sor-
ry."
All Grace thought of now was to get
out of the awkward position as soon us
possible. The gentleman advanced TO
offer assistance, but Grace rapidly and
somewhat incohcrently uttering thanks
and apologies to the servant fed, and
drew long breath of relief as she
| reached the sidewalk once more.
"Ifeel as if had lived an age and it is
not fifteen minutes since l blundered
| into he first place. If that girl does
not appear before reach the next COR
; ner shall 60 home without her. There
she is this very minute, tlissfully un-
conscious of the mischief have been
into"
"How nice; yon are just in time,
| Grace, told Mollie you might call for
| me and have been listening for the
bell for some time. Did you have q
pleasant call? Mollie was looking very
lovely this morning; she had on new
wrapper that is extremely becom-
! ing"
Mrs Benton was indisposed. so that
did not see her at ALL" said Grace,
rather grimly.
Alice looked up and caught queer
expression ON her cousins face, "Why,
what did you do all this timer" she
asked.
Grace hesitated. Can you keep it to
yourself if tell you something?"
swell, then, have been making
upon the elite of Beacon street,
Bostonv
"Grace Carter?"
Precisely; That is just what 1 say"
And half laughing, half rueful, she told
the whole story.
Meanwhile, the gentleman who had
been so suddenly disturbed in his quiet
doze did not seem inclined to return to
his chair.
"You say she gave her cousins name
as Miss Raymond, Alfredo"
Eyes, sir"
very we'll. That will do. How long
before dinner. My headache seems to
be better"
"What a face that girl had!" he con.
tinued, when left alone. 'She must be
a stranger in the city. She is not Bos-
| tonian. A needle in baystack! Yet
am bound to find her, and will. Ray
mond; that is all I have to guide me"
Alfred went away chuckling to him
self, "Mr. Franks struck at last. With
country girl. too. But she is little
lady, that's fact" But Mr.. Frank
went to the store and studied the direc.
| tory with great care.
VI ne had been invited to little New
Years party that evening, and as it was
had consented to going, for, although
belonging to one OF the most aristocrat-
ic and wealthy families in the city, he
was no society mau. He wished now
that he had not promised to go, for he
wanted to take steps towards beginning
his search of the apparition of the morn
ing:
Ellis turned away after paying his re-
spects to his hostess, his eyes met the
very eyes that had looked into his that
morning in his mothers parlor, and al.
though they were instantly turned away
the swift rush of color showed that he
was recognized. With an adroit excuse
about every striking resemblance" he
! soon gained the desired Introduction
and made himself 80 agreeable to the
young lady that Grace forgot her deter-
mination to be frigidly polite, and ere
long the two were chatting together like
| old friends, to the utter establishment of
| those present who knew Ellis. Among
! his companions ne vas considered little
short of a woman hater," and there he
sat completely engrossed by little
plainly dressed country girl, with merry
gray eyes.
The months flew swiftly. and again it
is the eve of New Year. Come with me,
of Boston. A few snowflakes are begin
ming to fail. Look! The door is opened
and servant stands on the threshold.
and, shading his eyes peers into the sur
rounding gloom to see if there is a
promise of a storm. We recognize Al
fred. Letus slip past him into the draw
ing room, where the ruddy fire light is
dancing on the wall. Two persons are
standing before the open fire, and the
taller has his arm thrown caressingly
around the slight little figure at his side.
"Grace, my darling" lie is saying, IL
never can be thankful enough that you
| got into the wrong house last New
Years. It was the making of my for
tune-and Alfred's" he adds, laughing.
"Do you know" Grace answered de-
murely, but with the merry sparkle in
her eye as Of old, Il am not sure, in the
lights of Gu bsequent events that it was
the wrong house"
Mother Hubbard i'm Arkansas.
The other day when cid Major SOL
man announced his readiness to pro-
coed in the direction of church, his wife
appeared wearing a Mother Hubbard
dress. The old man intently regarded