The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-08-26

his great desire to mako her acquliE-
tGrcc, aud begged that she would plr.
cen him for his seeming presumption,
aus he knew Of no other way 90 become
acquainted with her.
- hope she wont be offended,
thought John, as he directed the en-
yCloYc.
81 will get the doctor to post This
note for nc, and then no one here will
lie the wiser for ii.
After his letter had been dispatched
he watched unXiously until he saw the
postman deliver it at the cottage; then
he sank back in his lounge in a perfect
fever Of suspense.
Suppose she should be angry at him
for his presumption in writing to- hcrl
How should he ever make his peace
with her? He fancicd that he wa. so
desperately in love with her that life
would scarcely he worth living with.
out her, and he longcd 10 offer himself
to her and learn his fate.
He had not very long TO wait for an
answer TO his note. In somewhat less
than an hour the trim little maid
crossed the street and left at the door
letter directed to "Mr. John Stanton"
in n pretty angular handwriting
With trembling fingers John tore
open the envelope. What were the
contents of the letter? He soon knew,
for il ran thus
"DEARMr STANTON am very much fiat
tered at your kind commentator Of my
poor attempts, and ! am glad you enjoy
them. shall be very happy to make your
acquaintance when you are able 10 be out
again. have often noticed you at the win
dow and felt sorrow for you, you looked So
pale and thin shall be glad to hear from
you again. Yours, very sincerely,
AMANDA VAUGHAN"
John read this note again and again
in perfect transport of delight. Could
anything have been kinder and more
friendly She had noticed him and
been sorry for him. What angelic
pity
Every afternoon the elder lady prac-
ticcd for an hour very scdulously upon
"Maideh' $ Prayer" and "Whispcrngs
of love-" and the next day it seemed
TO John as if she would never stop.
His head fairly ached, despite his
happiness, with the monotonous sound,
varied only by occasional mistakes. lie
was impatient to hear his fair charmcr
play and sing again, for he knew that
she would be thinking of him this even
ing.
When at last she took her seat at the
piano he enjoyed her music with
kcencr pleasure than he had ever felt
before; 1t was for him she was singing
and playing now
Two or three notes passed between
them, and ut last John could no longer
restrain his love. He poured il all out
in a long letter and begged her to end
his suspense speedily, assuring her of
his unalterable devotion to the end of
his life.
1t did not take Miss Vaughan long to
make up her mind, apparently. The
little maid soon brought her answer,
and John read.
"DEAR, DARLING JONI: will he yours
since you wish it. Can't you possibly come
over this evening about : o'clock, that we
may hold sweet converse together? Yours
till death, AMANDA
1t was only a short note, but it raised
John to the seventh Heaven of happi-
ness. OF course he would go over, and
he painfully hobbled around the room
for an hour, making MS elaborate Il
toilet as he could and consulting his
glass with an anxiety he had never
known before.
AT last o'clock came, and, leaning
heavily on his cane, he limpcd across
the street and rang the door bell
The trim little maid admitted him
with something that was very like u
stcrnly suppressed smile on her round,
rosy face, and ushcred him into the
parlor
1t was dimly lighted, and John sank
into the nearest seat, trying to control
his agitation and delight.
Presently the door opened and a
figure glidcd toward him.
My darling ~ exclaimed John rap
turously, with outstrctched arms, and
in another instant he was pressing low
ing kisses upon the upturned face.
Suddenly his blood seemed to CONCEAL
with Mortified establishment. They
were at the further end of the room
from the dim light, and he could not
distinguish the features of the woman
he had in his arms until Il kindly flash
from the fire in the crate showed him
the Corkscrcw curls and sharp features
of the woman he had supposed to be
Mrs. Vaughan,
Madam, what does this mean" he
asked angrily, pushing her from him.
Where is Miss Vaughan
II ann Miss Vaughan" she answered,
advancing toward him as if she contcm-
plated sinking in his arms again. "My
niece, Mrs. Vaughan, has just gone to
the train TO meet her hllSbnndr
IL made a mistakc!" he STAN
mcrcd fcebly, and grasping his hat, he
beat hasty retreat,
lie moved all his belongings early the
next morning before the inhabitants of
Rose Villa were astir, and he soon ban
ishtd the image of his fair cnchantrcss
from his heart, as whenever he thought
of her he could not but remember the
ridiculous mistake of which he had been
the victim.