The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-12-05
MAYS MISTAKE.

MAYS MISTAKE.
May Hartley was not what many people
would call pretty girl, but there was
something in her manner that seemed Il
attract all who happened TO come in con.
tact with her.
She was remarkably amiable for one
thing-a quality worth far more in wise
peoples eyes than all the facial beauty in
the world; and with this amiability Of
character there were combined thought.
fulness and tenderness Of heart that one
rarely meets with nowadays.
She was utterly free from selfishness
and ever willing to sacrifice herself for the
comfort and well-being of her fellow-crea.
lures.
She was an only daughter, and very ma
turally the idol of her parents.
Her father was a well-to-do solicitor, in
the thriving little market-townsof Dash
ford, and unlike most men who follow the
legal profession was spoken well d
by all classes and communities Of people
One scarcely ever heard a really detri-
mental observation made against IawyeI
Hartley.
Mrs. Hartley, his robust and good ma
:ured wife, was also much liked by the in
habitants of Dashfoisl. With those who
moved in the best society Of The place slfe
was decided favorite, and amongst The
less exalted classes no matron could have
been better liked.
She went amongst the poor great deal,
visiting them both in sickness and in
health, and especially when the ills to
which flesh is heir brought sorrow and
tribulation to the homes of the needy.
I. d. a
of parents with which May Hartley was
blest-and she was indeed best in her
parents-it is time to enter upon the story
that is to be told.
May was standing in the twilight Of q
lovely summer evening at the garden-gate
of her pleasant home, which abutted on
the main road leading ont of Dashford--
she was alone.
There seemed to be sad expression up
on her sweet eyes, as she stood in solitude,
ever and anon CHANGING up the dusty road
that wound its way countrywide.
The sound of horses hoofs coming along
at arapid pace broke the stiffness OF the.
summer evening. In n moment the ex-
precision on May Hartlcy's face changed,
the color mounted to her cheeks, and her
breath came quickly.
In less time than it takes TO write II the
equestrian, whose approach had so much
disturbed her, had reached the gate, had
dismounted, and had shaken hands with
her.
He was very handsome fellow; tail,
erect, with dark curly hair and deep blue
eyes. His age could not be more than
eight-and- twenty. This comedy parsonage
was none other than Young DIR. Evelyn.
For two years he had been in practice
in Dashford, and during that time had
won golden opinions for his medical skill
and kindSess, and, more than this, had
fallen over head and cars in love with
May Hartley
Yes, had he only revealed the burning
secret of his heart when first love entered
therein, May Hartley would have been y
girl without sorrow months ago.
She loved DR.. Evelyn with all the ear
nestness OF which her true earnest nature
was capable; and he loved her also, but
he had not spoken. No, he had held his
to do SO. He had held his peace, deter
mined to gain a perfect and thorough ex.
perience Of Mays character, to await some
sign, however small, of reciprocity Of feel
ing on her part; and also to make certain
of his own mind kktE
Wise fellow 1t would be well if every
one would bide his or her time, ere plung
ing into that iirevocable food of promises
which leads on to matrimony.
WE'LL, the hero of our story by this tim,
thought that he had taken sufficient pre-
cautions inevery way. He knew his owr
mind. beyond the possibility Of doubt; ht
also. believed he knew May Hartley
mind. tt Is sFk q 49,
Why remain silent any longer7 Here
was presented an excellent opportunity %
n.
So, taking that advantage of the oppor
tunity, he asked May then and there 4
be his wife. saAAkEfs
Why enter into details as to the exac
words in which he expressed himself, an(
the exact manner in which she Responded
to his affectionate overturei
All, what a pleasant ride home that WA
to him. Who can describe the sense o
rapture that filed his manly bosomi
The path of true love now seemed a
smooth 10 him as the polished surface Of
mirror.
On the following morning he called up
on Lawyer Hartley, and informed him {
what had transpired on the preyiou
evening.
Of course he had no reason 10 anticipat
parental objection, though he could no
but recognize the possibility a somesucl
terview was over, and both Papa an,
Mamma Hartley had conducted them
selves in the most agreeable and parenta
manner, he quilted their presence RS hap
py as king.
For one thing, however, Mrs. Haitle.
had held out firmly, and that was that tn
marriage should not be solemnized unit
the expiration ofat least six months
1t was not, certainly, an unnatural re
quest for mother 10 make who reall
loved her child, and who had no desire
follow the fashion OF the day in gettin
her children married and done for wit
all possible despatch. - tsA Y
The young doctor did not offer any oh
jections, though had he been SELLS
enough to have expressed his own incl
nation ON the subject, he would have sug
gested leading May to the hymeneal alta
within month Of the hour when he pro
posed TO htr.
Amongst DR. Evelyn's patients thcr
was one Colonel Forester. n man of con
siderable means, who resided in a fine oil,
fashioned house in the outskirts Of Dash.
ford. He was blessed with many OLIVE
branches, and amongst them two remark.
ably attractive daughters.
The young doctor was frequently at tho
colonels house, not only in the capacity o.
amedical adviser Mrs. Forester was NJ
invalid, and needed very constant atten
tion) but as a friend.
When Herbert Spencer, DR. Evelyn''
cousin, came to stay with him, which h,
did three weeks after our hero had poppet
the question TO May Hartley, he. the doc
tor, speedily introduced him to the For
rosters, where the young fellow spent con
siderable of his time. e.4 e
About this period Dr. Evelyn grew re-