The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-02-12
An Odd Mistake.

a Mr. Gray wnS man who had com.
United great blunder. He had re-.
eired! And now time hung heavy on
his hands, and he knew not what to do
with himself. 30. for lack Of better
occupation, he took to calling on o cer-
balm plump widow of his acquaintance,
who had remarkably pretty daughter.
Bessie Peploe was younger edition
10 her mother. They had the same
black eyes. rosy cheeks, and wavy hair.
and truth compels us to add, the same
quick temper.
"In never marry old Gray" Bessie
told Mrs Peploe, defantly, after the
manner of the young lady who refused
Q man before he Taxed her." for Mr..
Gray had not yet proposed, although
every evening he presented himself at
the widows dwelling, and sat by the
ireside, in the most comfortable chair
I In the room.
"We shall see," returned the elder
lady, and her bright eyes flashed, for
che had set her mind upon the marriage
and already regarded Bessie as the
mistress of Mr.. Grays comfortable
house in the high street of the little
town in which they resided.
"Yes, we shall see," muttered Bessie,
and putting OH her hat slipped out to
have walk with her atlmirer, Jack
Wilkins to whom she confded her
trouble.
Jack was poor, and for that reasoa
bad refrained from offering his hand
to pretty Bessie but when she tod
him that old Gray was after her he
could no longer disguise his feelings,
and before they parted the girl he loved
had consented to be Lis wife.
"What will mother say?' thought
Bessie with a sigh as they parted at the
gate of Mrs. Peploe's cottage. THAT
horrid man will be there
That horrid man was there in an arm
chair opposite Mrs. Peploe.
He smiled at 3 S lie rs she entered;
but Bessie frowned at him in return,
and his face fell That evening the
girl was absolutely sullen she spoke in
monosyllables, and il!-temper deprived
her pretty face of half its beauty.
81 am afrrid her mind is set against
it, Mr.. Gray told himself, with sigh,
Sand we might all be SO happy, if she
could only look at the matter in
proper light but I suppose its natural. "
And he redoubled his efforts to be
agreeable-poor little man for he had
an affectionate heart, and his big house
was dull and lonely.
But Bessies face never relaxed its set
expression. She hated the man. and
meant to let him see it, in defiance to
her mothers angry glances. What
business had man old enough to be
her father to come counting her?
"You have behaved disgracefully,"
her mother said, when Mr.. Gray had
taken his departure, 1T is so wicked
to trife with the love of any man.
81 have never trihed with his love-"
retorted her daughter :" he must know
Il
attempted to disguise it; now have I,
mother p:
"You are q fool, said her mother,
bluntly. Mr.. Gray is the best chance
you have ever had. or will ever have,
8 and insist upon your saying yes when
he asks you to be his wife"
:" Mother" cried Bessie, impulsively,
throwing her arms around her mothers
waist, hiding her face in her bosom.
smother, 1 have already said yes to
somebody else-somebody I love dearly. !"
"What!" gasped Mrs. Peploe, freeing
herself of her daughters embrace.
"Whatw
). ut is true enough" said Bessie, in o
faltering voice. Jack has asked me
30 marry him. and have said yes"
without consulting me |" exclaimed
keR mother. aDgr1g, looking as her