The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-08-05
BOTH In ERROR.

y
face, whose brown eyes had mirlhiul
CLEAN as they met her own.
"Mr. CARROLL"
"CoDductor of No. 4, and very much
at your service, Mr.. Hamilton" said
the young man, dotllng his cap with u
bow that would have graced drawing
room.
"You are surely iestiDg?"
There was something in this hat
reused the warm and has,y temper of
our hero.
"It isn't likely to be much Of u jest to
me. What pity it Is that should be
reduced by the misfortune OF a friend
to such n necessity as this"
That depends on how you look ut
it" said the lady, icily; "you know my
fathers position"
Scr tainly," interrupted the young
man; "and now that you know mine,
our little romance, which was very
pleasant while it lasted, will have to
er d, suppose"
VERY well, let 1t be So"
The car, which had only u few In IL
when this conversation commenced, was
now nearly full, and Arthur Carroll
turned away to attend to the duties of
his office.
But as lie passed around to collect
his fare his eyes rested more than once
on the partly averted face, which looked
strangely pale in the dim twilight. A
feeling of yearning tenderness swept
over him, and passing by the place she
sat he said, hurriedly:
"Ida-Mlss Hamilton, | fear spoke
too haishl,. II you will suffer me to
EXPLAIN"
"There is no explanation" said Ida,
rising to her feet. ~ think | under
stand you fully. Please stop the car;
get out here"
Arthur mechanically gave the signal.
The silken robe swept past him with IL
faint rustic, leaving upon the air the
perfume OF the rose upon her breast.
With dazed, bewildered feeling the
young man watched the erect and
graceful figure, which never vouchsafed
him glance, until it disappeared
"Can it be possible for me to be so
deceived in her?" he thought. 81 would
have staked my life on Ida's love for
me, and that it was 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.. lIamilton's stately mansion he saw
that there was no light from any part
Of it except the library.
81 fear Ida il not at home" he
thought.
But she was, 30 the servant said who
answered the bell. He gave the man
his name and errand, who returned al
most Immediately saying:
Miss Hamilton is busy and bcgs to
be excused"
ut is better so, muttercd the young
man, as g descended into the street,
he scarcely knew how. "Had | seen
her, might have been fool enough to
let her know how baselcss her apprc.
tensions Wcrc.h
Passing swiftly along, Arthur turned
into by street where the houses were
few and scattered, and, pausing in
front of wooden building, he went in.
Ascending the stairs, he found him
self in a plain, nea'ly furnished room,
where young man sat, about his own
age, his arm. in sling and plaster OH
one OF his temples.
Glow do you find yourself tonight,
old fellow"
80 nearly recovered that | shall re-
sumo my duties to morrow" responded
John Ainslie with smile, (which |
think you will he glad to learn
"Wcll, don't know. I'm glad to
have you up again, but l'vc enjoyed
the excitement and novelty on the
whole, especially the astonisbment
among such of my acquaintance rs |
CHANGED to meet 1t has certainly given
me revelation in one direction, which,
however, unexpected and painful, will
prevent my making lifelong mistake
don't want you to do so until you are
strong enough, but il 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 10
one OF his design or destination. In
fact, he scarcely knew or cared whittier
he went, his sole motive in going at all
being to escape from the wounded and
bitter feeling at his heart, and which at
times 81 emod more than he could bear.
He had been gone about two months
when he received letter from John
Ainslie, on the envelope of which were
various postmarks, obtained in follow
ing his crratic movements.
1t was rs follows:
FRIEND ARTHUR: have been thinking a GOOD
deal lately of what you told me in regard t.
Miss Hamilton, and wondering If you knew OF
her fathers failure, and which occurred, as
have learned since, the day was hurt and yul
so kindly took my place II seems that Mr.
attached and all his beautiful furniture sold al
auction. His daughter, Ida, l am told, supports
them both by teaching her father being gooC
deal broken IN body and mind since his mis-
fortune, She teaches In school few mile
out, but was in town yesterday, and getting on
my car in leaving the boat, Glanced TO Sc,
her. She was dressed very plainly, and so al
tered that should not have known her but TO
her beautiful hair and eyes. II seems to be tn,
general impression that you broke your en-
gagement on account of her fathers loss OF for
tune; and knowing how far from the truth thi
Is, and believing that You were entirely igno
rant of the fact at the time you left town,
thought would write and tell you of it, You
friend, truly, john AINsLIE.
Arthur WAS not long in reaching
town after reading this. lie went iii
rectly to his rooms, finding on his desk
a small package and a letter.
1.-THE letter came the day you left,
said the landlady, 'and the package {
few days after; but as you left no di
rections about sending anything, | KEEP
them for YOU"
The package contained some letter
and ring, whose costly diamond
sparklcd like Il dew-drop as It fell upol
the desk.
How we'll he remembered placing /
upon the small white hand, AMI all tn
glowing hopes that made his heart bea
so high
BY the date of the letter Arthur saw
that it was written the morning afte