New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-02-11
THE MISTAKE.

Most welcome to such is the musical sound
OF the types with their click.
THE MISTAKE.
1T is so frightfully dull here" ex-
claimed Miriam Creswick, with her
Diana bow of a mouth stretched in
a most pretentious yawn. SIS there
nothing here but crochet work, wild
strawberries and tea parties?'
Miriam was the very impersonation
of her Jewish name-tall and dark,
wi h creamy complexion, and eyes that
seemed to melt and swim like stars
hiding away in shady springs. And
she wore soft, sweeping robes, that fell
around her in statuesque folds, and
moved with the slow, royal grace of a
Hebrew queen, SO that Constance Dale
looked up to her with girlish admira-
ton as the incarnation Of all that was
radiant in womanhood
''But l thought you came hero to re-
alize and rec nit after the winters dis
sipation, Miriam said Constance.
$50 debut don't mean actually
to stagnate if I can help it,
Constance looked puzzled. Miss
Carswick laughed.
''The dear little unsophisticated
fairy?' she cried gayly, 1.-The sewing
circle and portfolio of embroidery
patterns may be enough for you, but
won't suffice for me. / must have a
Irritation OF two to spice the monot-
ony:'
''But I thought, Miriam, that Judge
Dalton's son"
''Stuff and nonsensen' Interrupted
Miriam, with good-humored imperious-
ness. ''Of course I'm to marry Perci-
val Dalton some day-or at least so the
elders say, and I've no doubt that he's
a very fine young man.
ooh, Miriam, you do not mean that
you have neverseen him?"
'''Why are you so Mortified at that?"
asked Miss Creswick, half turning, so
as to fasten spray of rosebuds in her
midnight dark hair. .'We aren't en-
gagged, nor shall we be, probably. until
it is ascertained whether or not shall
suit my lord. He's rich and he's hand
some, if report be true, and that's pref
ty much all care for"
gxs'And when does he return from Eu-
roper" asked Constance, in breathless
interest.
. in September, l suppose. Come.
COMFY, don't you want to walk down
to the Postoffice? I'm so tired of doing
nothing!'
The two girls had just emerged from
the shady line upon the quiet country
road, when tall young man of the
fair-haired Saxon style of face passed
them, carlessly dot1ing his cap to Con-
stance Dale.
''Who is that, CONF" whispered Miss
Creswick, turning her stately head to
look after the vanishing figure.
"Mr. Egerton's nephew, Percy
Wylde."
1.-THE parsons nephew? How hand
some he is. Why didn't you introduce
himP''
.'Shall call him back?" asked Miss
Dale, laughing.
Nonsense. Is he villager?''
''No-he is here for a few weeks, en-
joying our fine scenery and delicious
mountain air."
Good. !" said Miriam, nodding her
head. eve can help amuse each 9TH
err
'.Miriam!'' cried Constance with a
face that was really shocked; 'you
would not flirt with him merely for a
pastime?''
ITO be sure I would!' laughed Mir
lam. Don't be a fool, Conny-paen
are our natural prey, just as we are
theirs
And she only made fun of poor Con-
stances indignant remonstrances.
- hope he won't speak to you, that's
all, said Constance.
''You're not in love with him your
self, cara?" laughingly demanded Mir
lam.
''Of course not!'' flashed out Con-
stance, with flaming cheeks; ''only I
don't like to see any creature, whether
brute or human, hunted cruelty down"
1T won't hurt him. said Miriam
dryly.
Apparently Mr.. Wylde was quite
ready for firtation-and to speak the
truth it would have been rather difficult
to avoid falling into Miss Creswick' S en-
chantingly spread snares. Picnics,
boating parties and dreamy rambles up
to the mountain side, all conspired to
aid the sirens plans, while Constance
looked on grieved and troubled, and
sorely anxious to warn Percy Wylde
against the pitfalls he was so surely
nearing.
'.But what can I 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, until the ripe.
full beauty Of the summer tide was at
its height, and Miss Creswick was pack
ing the trunks to join her aunt at Cape
May.
''Of course, it has been very charm
ing here, she said, as she sat on the
old farm house piazza in the moonlight
the night before her departure; ..but
one cam dream on in Arcadia forey-
5er?''
Percy Wilde sat silent BY her side,
and she fancied that his face looked un-
wontedly pale in the moonlight.
$ then you are determined to 20,
Miss Creswick Pr
81 must, she answered, infusing 4
.bewitching softness into her voice.
my future fate is to be at Cape May
next week. = 4,.
Your fatep'
The man whom I suppose / am to
.marryr Miriam added, earelessly.