The Washington critic., 1886-10-06
WASHINGTON CRITIC
BARBARA'S MISTAKE.

The romantic walk by the river was
much too sentimental place to suit the
frame of mind she was in just now.
Too many recollections clustered
around 1t; memories of the happy days
when she and Mark had wandered
there, and talked pretty nothings,
sworn eternal friendship, and looked
eternal love. To day all this was
changed.
Mark put strong control upon him.
self. but he looked angry.
"Why did you not come to the June
/ ball?' he asked, slilily. "You prom
ised me that you would come"
,"Ob, did /? had forgotten all about
It. could not have gone, at any rate,
for DIR. Guyon had made an engage
ment with me for that day, and 1 could
net have broken it.
"But my engagement was made
first"
MY dear boy, don't you know that
an engagement with man of DR..
Guyon's superior years, to say nothing
OF his superior accomplishments, must
be paramount"
Barbara" said he, wrathfully, 'do
'Jf by That fellow you mean DR..
Guyon, / tell you caudidiy that am
very fond of him.
"Do you mean TO say, then, that YOU
care nothing for meg'
even SO"
"Then / shall say good by. Remem.
Der this, however; you have thrown
away true heart You have been
playing the coquette admirably for one
so young. A little more experience
and you will attain perfection. But
some time there will be day Of recon.
ing, and your life will feel the shadow
of sorrow you have made me feel"
"My prophetic cousin, goodb by. If
ever repent you will never know of my
repentance.
He suddenly turned, caught her
slight figure in his strong grasp, kissed
/ her passionatcly, and strobe down the
walk. out Of sight.
\ "Oh! why did not tell him that
could not go to his graduating ball be-
cause | had no dress to wear? Then
Mary Rexford said that he was devoted
10 a young lady there, and that every
one. said they were engaged. And
Barbara Newman plays second fiddle
to no one. OF course he thinks like
that old Dr. Guyon, when hate him"
Mark Gresham sailed away to for
eign parts. lie tlirted with English
danes, danced with Spanish beauties,
made love to girls whose bright eyes
outshone the splendor of southern
skies, and oh, woful tale he forgot
Barbara Newman.
! Six years went by, and he had orders
TO report himself at headquarters in
Washington. AS he once more re-
visited the scenes of his youth he was
reminded of old times and of Barbara.
The longer he thonght of her the more
intense grew his longing to see her. So
one fine morning he went in quest Of
his old love.
He found the place deserted and
dreary. The foliage was more dense.
The sole occupant was an old man who
had been in Mr.. Newmans S service for
many years. He remembered Mr..
Mark, as he called him, and at once be-
gan to give an account of the past
years.
Miss Barbara had been gone some
: time. Her uncle had died, leaving her
the house and its contents, but no
money, and no one had been able to
find out If he had any or where he
kept it. Miss Barbara had done all she
could to sell or rent tliethouse. but no
one wanted to live in that out. of.the.
way place. So as she had to make her
own living in some way, she went
away to teach; but her health had
failed and she had gone somewhere
else, the old man did not know where
He went to the town in which she
had taught, but there he could learn
nothing of her excepting that she had
gone away two years before, but where
they did not know. lie spent the re.
mainder of his leave in his fruitess
quest, and was obliged to join his ship
disconsolate.
The good ship c. lay at anchor in
the Mediterranean sea, and party Of
gay, gallant officers lounged and
smoked on deck. The bombardment
of AltXandria was going on, and thon
sands of foreigners sought safety wher.
ever they could, and about thirty had
taken refuge under the American FLAG
upon the G. and were cordially wei.
coined by the officers. Among them
were two ladies Unusual visitors upon
an-of-war), an old lady, who was
the very essence Of discomfort and i'll.
nature and her companion, upon whom
was vented all her wrath.
Gresham" said Lieutenant Walker,
''have you got glimpse Of the yelled
LADY yet?"
mo; I am not much interested in
her,"
We'll, you would be if you had
heard how that old Tartar was abusing
her this morning"
'By Jovel she is coming now"
The caution came none too soon, fol
she was already close by. AS she saw
them she hesitated, then approached
She inclined her head as they lifted
their hats 10 show their respect. F
Mark Gresham arose and stood
translxed as he watched her go by.
"Gresham seems rather struck. Why
don't you go and make her ac
QuaintanCe and tender our sincere
sympathies for her in her trying posi-
tioni"
81 will" said Mark, promptly, ant
moved of in the direction she haC
taken.
She was leaning against mast
looking detected AS he drew near h,
raised his cap.
Pardon me"
She had thrown back her veil, aut
as she turned around in startled wa,
he saw Barbara. few years older, bu
more beautiful than ever.
"Oh. Mark"
Barbara, felt that it was you.
have been seeking You for many weary
months, and now that have found my
dear girl shall never let her Slip away
from me again,
mark, can you ever forgive me
after the cruel way in which l treate,
your