The Wilmingtonian., 1885-05-02
THE STORY TELLER.
Both i'm Error.

ced up in surprise to the famlllar lace,
whose brown eyes had mirthlul CLEAN as
they met her own
''Mr. Carrollr'
''Conductor of No. A, and very much at
your service, Miss Hamilton" said the
young man, dotfing his cap with
bow that would have graced drawing
room.
''You are surely jestiag?"
There was something iu this that reused
the warm and hasty temper of our
hero,
at isn't likely to be much of a jest to me.
What pity it is that should be reduced
by the misfortune of friend to such a nee
essity as thisP'
tThat depends on how you look at it,
said the lady icily; ''you know my fathers
position"
"Certainly," interrupted the young man;
''and now that you know mine, our little
romance, which was very pleasant while it
lasted, will have to end, l suppose?'
Every WE'LL let it be so.'
The car which had only a few in it
when this conversation commenced, was
now nearly full, and Arthur Carroll tur-
ed away to attend to the duties of his
office.
But as he passed around to collect his
fare, his eyes rested more than once on the
partly avelt ted face which looked strangely
pale in the dim twilight A feeling of year
ming tenderness swept over him, and Iass-
ing by the place she sat, he then said, hur-
ridly:
"Ida-Miss Hamilton, fear spoke too
harshly; if you will suffer me to explain
it-n
''There is nothing to explain" said Ida,
rising to her feet. II think 1 understand
you fully. Please stop the car; get out
here"
Arthur mechanically gave the signal. The
silken robe swept past him with faint rus
lie, leaving upon the air the perfume of the
rose upon her breast.
He watched with dazad feeling, the erect
and graceful figure, which never vOuch-
safed him glance, until it disappear
cd.
"Can it be possible for me to be so deceiv-
ed in her?" he thought. 81 would have
staked my life on Ida's love for me, and
for me alone. But what am to think now?
Before the dawning OF another day, | will
know"
AS Arthur stood upon the steps of Mr..
Hamlton's stately mansion, he saw that
there was no light from any part of it except
the library.
81 fear Ida is not at home,' he said to
himself
But She was, SO the servant said who
answered the bell He gave the ~mau his
name and errand, who returned almost i'm
medately, saying:
"Miss Hamilton is busy, and hegs to be
excused"
sit is better so,' muttercd the young
man, as he descended into the street, he
scarcely knew how "Ead l seen her, l
might have been fool enough to let her
know how baseless her apprehensions
were"
Passing swiftly along, Arthur turned into
by street, whore the houses where few and
scattered, and, pausing in front Of wooden
building, he went in.
pending the stairs, lie found himself
ID 4 plain, neatly fnrn'snrd room, where a
young man sat- about his own age, his arm
in sling, and a plaster on one of his tenn
pies.
''How do you find yourself tonight, old
fellow ?"
$50 nearly recovered that shall resume
my duties tomorrow" responded John Ain
slie with smile; (which, think, you will
be glad to learn"
swell, don't know. I'm glad to have
you up again. but I've enjoyed the excite
ment and novelty on the whole, especially
the astonishment among such Of my ac-
qnaintances as chanced to meet 1t has
certainly given me a revelation in one direc.
ton, which, however unexpected and pain.
lul, Will prevent my making Lifelong mis-.
take. / don't want you to do SO until you
are strong enough, but if you think you are
able to go back, believe will leave town
for few weeks.
Arthur put his resolution into effect early
the following morning, telling no one of his
design or destination. In fact, he scarcely
knew Or cared whittier he went, his sole mo
tive in going at all being to escape from the
wounded and bitter feeling at his heart, ant
which at times seemed IN rc than he coult
bear.
lie had been gone about two months wher
he received letter from John Ainslie, Oh
the envelope of which We're various post
marks, obtained in following his errati,
movements.
1t was as follows:
''Friend Arthur:-I have been thinking
good deal lately about what you told me il
regard to Miss Hamilton, aud wondering
you knew of her fathers failure, and whicl
occurred, as have learned since, the day
was hurt, and you SO kindly took my place
1t seems that Mr.. Hamilton lost everything
even his house was attached and all hi
beautiful furniture sold by auction. Iii
daughter Ida, am told, supports then
both by teaching, her father being goo
deal broken in body and mind since his mis-
fortune. She teaches in school a fey
miles out, but was in town yesterday, an
getting on my car when leaving the boat,
CHANGED to see her. She was dressed yer
plainly, and SO altered that l should no
have known her but fol hel beautiful hal
and eyes. 1t seems to he the general i'm
preston that you broke your engagement
ON account of her fathers loss of fortune
and knowing how far from the truth this is
and believing that you We're entirely gnc
rant of the fact at the time you left town,