The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-07
THE MISTAKE.

Vewn. SIS there nothing here but crochet
work. wild strawberries and tea parties2"
Miriam was the very imper.onation of her
Jewish name-tsll and dark. with creamy
complexion. and eyes that seemed to melt
and swim ike stars hiding away in shady
springs. And she wore soft, sweeping robes,
that fell around her in stataeEque folds and
moved with the slow, royal grace of a He.
brew queen, so that Constance Dale looked
up TO her with girlish admiration as the
Incarnation of al that wss radiant in wo-
nsnhood.
But thought you came here to realizs
snd recruit after the winters dissipation,
Miriam. said Constance.
so debut 1 don't mean actually to
s.ssnate if can help it,
Constance looked puzzled. Miss Creswick
laughed.
The dear little unsophisticated fairy"
she cried gsyly, 1.-The sewing circle and q
portfolio of embroidery patterns may be
enough for you, but won't suffice for me. ]
must have q Irritation or two to spice the
monotonY."
But thought. Miriam, that Judge Dali
ton son -
am. with good hnmored Imperiousness. '0f
course I'm 10 marry PercivaI Dalton some
dsy-or at least 50 the elders say, and I've
10 doubt hes very fine young man"
Oh, Miriam, you dot mean that you have
never seen him."
Why are you so Mortified at that" asked
Miss Creswick, half turning SO as to fasten
spray OF rOEebuds in her midnight dark hair.
We aren't en- gagged, nor shall we be, prob
sbiy, until IL IL asceItained whether or not |
shall suit my lord. He's rich and he s hand.
soDe, If report be true, aud that's ali 1 care
for
Ard when does be return from Europe?"
asked Constance, in breathle.s interest.
in September, / suppose. Come, COMFY
don't ycu want TO walk desn to the post-of-
nce2 I'm so tired OF doing nothing"
The two girls had Just emerged from the
sbsdy line UPON the quiet country road.
when tall young man of the fair haired
>, xon style Of face azed them, carelessly
ctfhng his cap 10 Constance Dale.
Who is that, COM whispered Mrs. Ores
wick, turning her stately head TO look after
The vanishing figure.
Mr.. Esgerton's nephew, Percy Wylde"
The parsons nephew? How handsome
he is. Why didn't you introduce him2'
Shall call him backg' asked Miss Dale,
laughing.
Nonsense. Is he vilIager?"
'No-he is here for few weeks, enjoying
cnr fine scenery and delicious mountain
ir.n
Good" said Miriam, nodding her head.
We can help amuse each other"
"Minsm" cried Constance with face
that was really shocked, you would not
liIt with him merely for psstime?'
To be sure | would" laughed Miriam.
Don't be q fool, Conny-men are our
natural prey, Just as we are theirs"
AID she only made fun of poor Con-
stances indignant remonstrances.
hnvQ "a n al
said Constance.
You're not in love with him yourself,
caTa2 laughinely demanded Miriam.
Of course notp' flashed out Constance,
With flaming cheeks; only do not like to
see any creature, whether brute or human,
hunted cruelly down."
1T won't hurt him." said Miriam dryly.
And, true 10 her word, she did not allow
twenty -four hours to elaDse before she got
acquainted with the parsons good-looking
nephew.
Apparently Mr.. Wylde was quite ready
for firietion-and TO speak the truth 1t
would bave been rather diffiult to avoid fall
ing into Miss Creswick's enchsntingly
spread snares. Picnics, boating parties and
dreamy Ismbles up the mountain side, all
conspired TO aid the SIRENS plans, while Con-
stance looked on grieYed and troubled, and
sorely anxious to warn Percy Wylde against
The pitfalls he was so surely nearing.
But what can | say" sighed poor little
Constance Dale. Miriam Is so beautiful
and so fascinating, while 1 am nothing but
country girl"
So the time passed on, uEtil the ripe, full
beauty of the summertide was at its height
and Miss Creewick was packing the trulkS
10 Join her aunt at Cape May.
"Of course, II has been very charming
here, she said, as she sat on the old farm
house piazza in the moonlight the night be-
tore her departure; but one can't dream on
IN Arcadia forever
Percy Wylce sat silent by her side and
sre ianeied that bis face looked unwontedly
pee n the moonlight
Then you are determined to go, Miss
CTeswioz
= must" she answered, infusrng a be-
Nitchiug soitness into her voice. MY
future tate Is to be at Cape May next
week"
sYour fsse?'
The man whom l suppose I am to
-" Mirism added, care!essly.
Miss Creswick~
Mr.. Wyldel'
Then | am to understand that you have
teen deceiving me all this timer"
'Dsceiving you. Mr.. Wyldeg Indeed, am
st Ices TO comprehend"
.Siop' Miriam" the young man inter.
united speaking in q low, measured voice,
which awed the coquet more than any burst
Of fervid passion or overpoWering rage could
Rave DONE $50 you mean to tell me that
YOU have deliberately enticed me on al
ihoo weeks, knowing that at last you should
cast me OF as playthiDg OF which you had
gToxn weary Miriam Cheswick, | should
scarcely have believed this OF you"
Miriam colored scarlet, and tapped her loot
indignantly on the floor.
ct was your own fault, Mr.. Wyide."
sit was-shd / accept the consequences o
tn be answered calmly. II would rather 81
myself than you, Miss Creswick. a dlsap
pointed man may yet find some sweet crop
in the cup of life, but hesrtless hirt Car
never wholly respect herself or be respected
by others
Miriam bit her lip 1t was not such ian