Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-10-15
THE MISTAKE.

her "Dlana bow" OF O mouth StreIch-
ed in a most pretentious yawn. "Is
there nothing here but crochet
work, wild strawberries and tea
parties"
Miriam was tall and dark with
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 queen, so that Constance
Dale looked up to her with girlish
admiration as the incarnation OF all
that was radiant in womanhOOd.-
"But l thought you came here to
realize and recruit after the winters
dissipation, Miriam said Con-
stance.
$50 did, but l don't mean ac-
tually to stagnate if l can help it,"
Constance looked puzzled. Miss
Creswick laughed. "The dear, I'M
sophisticated little fairy !" she cried,
gayly. "The sewing circle and a
portfolio of embroidery patterns
may be enough for you, but won't
suffice for me. l must have a MIR
tatlon or two to spice the monoto-
N.Y.
"But | thought, Miriam, that
Judge Dalton's SON. "StuH and
nonsense y interrupted Miriam,
with good humored imperiousness.
"Of course I'm to marry Percival
Dalton some day-or at least so the
elders say, and I've no doubt he's
a very fine young man"
"Oh, Miriam, you do not mean
that you have never seen him y
"Why are you so Mortified at that =
asked Miss Creswick half turning,
so as to fastena spray of rOsebuds in
her midnight dark hair. ave aren't
engaged, nor shall we be, probably,
until it is ascertained whether or
not shall snit my lord. He's rich
and he's handsome, if report be
true, and that's pretty much all l
care for"
"And when does he return from
Europe ?" asked Constance in
breathless interest. din Septem-
Der, 1 suppose. Come, COMFY, don't
you want to walk down to the post
Office I'm so tired OF doing moth
ing"
The two girls had just emerged
from the shady line upon the quiet
country road when a tall young
man of the fair-haired Saxon style
of face passed them, carelessly dOff-
ing his cap to Constance Dale.
"WhO is that, Con :" whispered
Miss Creswick, turning her stately
head to look after the vanishing
figure.
"Mr. Egerton's nephew, Percy
Wylde."
"The parsons nephew I How
handsome he is! Why didn't you
introduce him ~
"Shall call him back = asked
Miss Dale, laughing.
Nonsense. Is he a villager T.
"No; he is here for a few weeks
enjoying our fine scenery and de-
lciOus mountain air."
"Good,7 said Miriam, nOdding
her head. ave can help amuse
each other"
"Miriam y cried Constance, with
a face thai was really shocked ;
"yOu would not fiirt With him mere
" for pastime!' "To be sure |
would laughed Miriam. "DOn't
be a fool, Conny-men are our nat
ural prey, just as we are theirs. p
And she only made fun of poor
Constance's indignant remOn-
strances.
81 hope he wont speak 10 you,
that's all, - said Constance. "You're
notin love with him yourself, cara"
laughingly demanded Miriam.
"Of course not !" flashed out Con-
stance, with flaming cheeks, "only
l do not like to see any creature,
whether brute or human, hunted
cruelty down. ait won't hurt him.
said Miriam dryly. And, true to
her word, she did not allow twenty
four hours to elspse before she got
acquainted with the parsons good
looking nephew.
Apparently Mr.. Wylde was quite
ready for Irritation sndto speak
the truth 1t would have been rather
difficult to avoid falling into Miss
Creswick's enchsntingly spread
snares. Picnics, boating parties
and dreamy rambles up the noun
tain sides all conspired to aid the
sirens plans, while Constance look
ed on grieved and troubled, and
solely anxious TO warn Percy Wylde
against the pitfalls he was so sure
ly nearing.
"But what can say p sighed
poor little Constance Dale. "Mi-
Ram is so beautiful and 80 fascinat-
ing, while | am nothing but coun-
try girlw SO the time passed on,
until the ripe, full beauty Of
the summertlde was at its height,
and Miss Creswick was packing |
ler trunks to join her aunt at Cape
Nay.
"Of course, it has been very