Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-05-01
4 MISUNDERSTANDING.

3 :
ing that will be ell right in the course Of
Z few weeks; we had best not interfere
yet while at least" says Miss Meri-
Idith, as she piled her needle in and out
of the table cover she was embroider-
ing in crewels. r.. 49,,
"But he looks so woefully depressed
my heart aches for him, and as for
Lillian, she mopes when he isn't by,
and when he is, she is entirely
too gay and high spirited to be
natural, Ly far, I don't see how the
matter Is to be 'righted' if one or the
other OF them don't apologize OF 'ex-
plain," and Miss Moseby's voice, as
we'll as hands, tremble, as she slipped
one and took up two Of the stitches on
the bead purse she was crocheting.
The conversation was held in sit
ting-room off large parlor in FASH
ionable boarding house, and the speak
ers, Miss Meredith and Miss Moseby,
were maiden aunts Of the two unfortu-
mates mentioned IS being victims of q
misunderstanding The affair in ques-
ton was one of those erratic courses in
to which the stream of true love so
often runs.
Ralph Meredith had met and fallen
desperately in love with Lillian Mosebey
that winter, while dwelling under the
same roof. He was student attend
ing lectures at one of the colleges in the
city, preparatory to taking his degree,
and Notwithstanding he had corrugated
the verb in more than one language,
many times before, he now for the first
time understood what it meant when he
said: re amo.'
He was reserved, difident, gentle
sort of q fellow, unused to girls
and their coquetries, and Lillian
Moseby, who was born Airt, although
really true hearted girl, not only
charmed, but puzzled him as well,
with the. ever-varying shades of charac-
ter she assumed at times. Lii had
scores of admirers before, and her twen-
ty years counted twice his tYenty-four,
in point of experience with the opposite
sex. She had never had just such a
lover before, however, and as a 'rara
avis counts double in girls estimation
Of the game of bags,-or the scalps she
adds as trophies to her belt of destinations
lii felt not little exultation in know
ing that she was the only girl to whom
Mr.. Merideth had ever been known to
pay his diffident, yet devoted attentions.
The affair had progressed favorably
for several weeks; the two auDts nod
ding their heads and smiling at the
young peoples evident attraction for
one another, and congratulating them
selves that match after their naidea
hearts was being made, without any
strong efforts on their parts. All went
smoothly enough until the evening Of
the Lady Washington Reception lit
tie sociable gotten up by the boarders
in the house to celebrate Washipgton's
Birthday. To this party each member
of the soclable was privileged to invite
a few friends. Among the strangers
present, certain Lieutenant Rich,
gorgeous in his full uniform, the guest
Of Miss Moseby, was the observed OF all
the observers. He had just returned
from three years. cruise, and was as
pleased and proud to welcome and in
troduce them to their friends as their
invited guest.
Miss Lillian. the lieutenant quickly
discovered, had in these years, some
what changed; instead of the tall, half
awkward schoolgirl he remembered,
he found a graceful, beautiful and SELF
possessed belle. It is not strange,
therefore that he should, after manner
other admirers at the shrine of her
loneliness, and manage to completely
monopolize her the greatest part of the
evening himself. His name was soon
upon her card for all the waltzes, and
when not dancing, he was promenading
with her, saying those hundred little
nothings which are accompanied Oft
times by such glaaces as mean ever
thing! ~, ~
Ralph Meridith's dark eyes saw it all !;
from every quarter Of the room he
watched the tableaux vivant, gnawing
at the ends of his mustache tho
while until it threatened to be
q thing OF rags and tatters. He would
not ask her to dance, he was not cour-
ageous enough to brave d refusal, and
he did not dare hope she had saved a
corner for him on her card. Some one
standing behind him was speaking ofthe
couple as they passed, Lillian radiantly
lovely in her pink brocade, the ieuten-
ant dazzling in his brass buttons. They
made handsome pair. Over the TOP
of her fan. Iii caught glimpse of the
sullen, dark, Othello- looking lover, and.
it was in the nature of the woman, she
smiled all the sweeter up in her part
ner's face. 4I -.
Didn't you know it ?" said a voice
behind Ralph, The and Miss Moseby
d were engaged when children
A keen sharp pain, like knife
\ through his heart, made him grow pale,
/ and he staggered out into the hall. He
4 had believed SO truly in her, and she
! was heartless coqnettsl Engaged to
! this man from 9 child, and giving no
4 intimate Of ii, nay. luring him on to
4 love her only ia order to- wound him to
/ the quick at last He hurried out
.Hof the house md paced the
4 wide street until dawn, .3x and
from that time, Is Miss hIoseby had no.
ticed, he had not been the same. Lillian
j had not seen him but once since. He
kept out 81 her WAY. Hs was very much
I engaged ii his stndies he said TO- her
3coldly, when she met him On the stairs
EOne evening, and sslI1d him when he
was coming IA 80 hear her sing AGAIN
will Be = I, abe said. with
i = tender smile and reprOachful look, as