Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-11-19
RESULT OF A MISTAKE.

Lena Hazleton 81, in the dinly lighted
church. where she sang leading soprano,
II The third row from the organ.
he organist. with 60 book before him,
was playing the most beautiful music
she had ever heard.
I Can this be Jacky- she asked herself
he seems TO he pouring out ais very
soul
she sank back into her seat. drinking
In the inspiring tones. wondering In an
indIstinct way II he had ever PLAYED as
well. and why she bad never been af.
tectcd 50 before
when the last thrilling notes had died
away. she slowly approached him and
said, softly.
You have surpassed yourself TONIGHT
Jack have been listening spellbound.
Instead Of turning AROUND and greeting
her IN his usual frank way. he started in
surprise, then hesitated. and finally said:
am glad you like my music and his
myers strayed ON over the KEYS
Lena marveled at his manner, and.
after moments silence said:
wonder the others are not here. II
Is surely time
Al this lie turned slowly around. say
ing:
do not be frightened. Your commit.
ment was intended for some one else.
though my name Is Jack"
Lena flushed and stammered:
u beg your pardon''
Then. at the thought Of having been
haH an hour IN an almost unlighted
Ia 81 t-f.a 4
courage and demanded:
But why are you hereg'
| lie smiled indulgently and answered
! "Decause am very fond Of playing on
/ church organs. and. having Mr. James
/ consent, saw 10 reason for not crafty
ms my wish to try this magnificent in
4 strument. | am sorry to have neon
/ yenienced you"
4 Not at all. said she bravely. But
/ don see why the others are not here"
III you refer to the choir Mr. James
told me that it docs not rehearse until to-
morrow evening
Why. how odd!' said Lena. 1--WE al
/ ways meet on Thursday evening"
Bat this ia only Wednesday evening"
said the unknown, with winning smile.
Only Wednesday evening"" she re-
pcated, hardly believing her ears. Are
you ccrtain?'
Yes, quite" he replied
Yes, Lena" interpoeed Mr.. James,
who had approached unobservcd. Il
assure you it ID Wednesday. All, Nor
I ton, there you arc. Miss llazleton, this
IL Mr.. Morton. And. by the way, Lena,
Mrs. James has some company and sent
me for you"
81 should ike TO 60, but fear auntie
will worry"
No. | have seen her. and explained
/ She told me you were here"
Then shall lie delighted"
Morton, viii you not come, too?' he
asked.
Thank you. but fear should in.
trudc."
Not at all. know my wife will be
1 delighted"
Jack hcsitated minute; hut at that
moment his eyes met Lena 8, and not only
was his decision nad,, but he knew thai
the current of his whole life had been
changed
During tho evening Lena sang, and
Jack Eorton played the accompaniment
He played 90 woll that the was seized
with desire to distinguish herself.
When she had sung few lines her
friends were surprised; and Jack. who
had heard much reed singing. was cs-
toniGhcd ct the purity and sweetness Of
her tones.
AZ she finished. her face glowing with
cnthu, iasm, they ell pleaded for another
song. and GlanciAy to Jack. she read the
same request IL his C-Cs. and complied.
Later in the evening she was sitting
near ,lr. James.
How DO you Ike Mr.. Morton?" he
asked.
Very we'll" she replied: with q triAe
Ecrc feeling than WAS necessary. He
il 10 escort rne home. Have you known
him long
He il q business acquaintance Of
mine from Chicago. Eve ract him so
often that | consider him true friend. :"
At II O'Clock Lena and Jack were
walking homeward. her dainty hand
resting ConiGinGly on his arm.
Before parting he had permission to
call, and Is his stag was to he short and
her next evening WAS devoted to the re-
hcarsGl it was arranged that he should
escort her home.
At breakfast her aunt asked:
Lena. low did you enjoy yourself
last nightg'
Very we'll. Guntie."
Lil NJ JltitS bIlilf, YOU lptutg
mo. tIr Morton came with mef"
At this the elder lady laid down her
fork. and looking directly at Lena asked;
And who may Mir. Morton be.'
"A gentleman from Chicago who was
there" answered Lena, ignoring the
romantic meeting in the dimly lit church
"A gentleman from Chicago repeated
her aunt. with an ominous tap Of her
foot. - hat il rather indefinite.
"NCs; but he's nice. auntie."
: "Of course" said her aunt. Curly,
golden hair, brown eyes and a wonder
ful mustache."
Indeed he hasn't. His hair is dark,
and couldn't say what color his eyes
arc"
Yet even rs she spoke the words there
came before her mental vision pair of
ardent brown eyes looking down into
hers.
That evening the choir seemed unusu-
ely stupid. The rehearsal DR." sged
along.
V hen Lena and Jack started home, as
the evening WAS crisp and starry. they
did not hurry, and on their way their
mutual acquaintance ripened sufficiently
for him to ask and gain the privilege Of
writing to her.
At home Lena's aunt was in the par
lor. evidently waiting to form an un-
biased opinion Of her aiece's new Gd-
mirer.
JACK, being as clever IS he was hand
some, devoted himself 70 that good lady
to such an extent that she had little time
20 c:iticisc. and after convcrsing while
even lost Ler desire to do so.
Business called JACK away the follow
- } t,f 20, |
his first letter, which, ike himself at their
parting, seemed to mean much that it
Gidn't say.
She replied, and the frequency OF their
letters increased as the days went by a5
did then length and interest
Her aunt saw plainly how matters
were going but. wise woman. Kept her
own counsel
One day Lena received letter from
Jack. the most important and sweetest
part of which was the last. for IN that he
wrote, in words which thrilled her
through and through. Of his great love
for her. and begged her if she returned
his love. to wear the little ring he had
sent. tor his sake The ring. whose gem
was as pure as the love of which 1t was .
symbul came almost Immediately after
the letter. but not before Lena had an
swcred 1t.
As she slipped the beautiful thing on
her finger, her lovers wish that he HIM,
self could have performed the delightful
ceremony. was echoed through her every
fiber.
Thinking long over her new found
/ happiness, she suddenly remembered bel
aunt