The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-08-03
A SLIGHT MISTAKE.
New England Farmer.l
BY ELLA S. BIRDsELL.

New England Farmer
The afternoon accommodation train was
already in as young DR.. Vane refined his
spirited ponies up to the depot platform of
Miltonville, a thriving little city, and, SPRING
ing lightly from the carriage, gave the lines
to boy standing near and went forward to
meet very pretty and stylishly dressed
young lady who had alighted from one of
the coaches.
The greeting between the two was most
cordial, and few minutes later they were
in the carriage and being whirled rapidly
away toward the.insane asylum, four miles
distant, where the dobtor held government
appointment as practicing physician.
And now, cousin mine," said the gentle
4. man, may / ask to what we,are indebted for
the unexpected pleasure which this visit af-
fords us? Your telegram was so vague that
we could make nothing out of it. Its sud-
denness upset Belle completely; in fact she
has worried herself into one Of her old head
aches trying to conjecture what could have
caused such sudden change in your plans"
"Well, Hec," answered pretty May AL
colt, with blush, when wrote Belle last
did intend to spend the entire summer at
home, but-but-well, l suppose may as
well make clean breast of it and tell you
that I've run away"
run awayi What can you mean?"
''Tll tell you just how 1t was" said May,
with a little pout, as she noticed her cousins
amused look, ''and you can laugh If you
want to-"
Indeed I'll not laugh if it's anything that
wees you; you may be sure of that" was
the reply.
WELL" continued Miss Alcott, lone after
noon last week was sitting in the bay win.
dow Of the parlor, with the curtain down,
reading, and fell asleep there. was awak-
ened by voices in the room, and was about
to discover myself to the parties lest should
be guilty of eavesdropping, when 1 heard
my own name mentioned, and in way to
make my cheeks burn with shame and anger
To make long story short, the parties talk
ing were my guardian, Mr.. Casting. and old
Mrs. Creighton. 1t seemed that he had Dor
rowed money from the old lady which she had
come to collect, and which he was unable to
pay,
She then informed him that her son, who
had been abroad for three years, or since
home in few days, and agreed that If my
guardian would marry me 10 the young hope
full and give him the control of my property,
she would consider the debt cancelled"
And did the cd scoundrel agree to this? ?"
asked the doctor.
"Yes. He seemed to hesitate at first, but
finally promised. He felt sure. he said, that
1 would consent, but if didn't he.might try
what authority would do. he'd manage it,
she might depend on it,"
The gentleman gave expression to all the
indignation which the case seemed to de-
mand, and May concluded her explanation
by saying:
II nearly cried my eyes out for while,
and the day.before yesterday, ,when;my guar
dian was called away on business, / conclu-s
ded to take French leave, sent the telegram
and here i am, and here shall stay until
the heir of Creighton has made his visit and
gone; the impudent puppyw
slow SO? Is he party to the nefarious
plot?"
81 don't know, but I.suppose of course he
is"
Perhaps not. But what did you.say was
the name of this Adonis?"
Il don't know. and Pm sure don't care.
don't want to hear any more about. him, so
change the subject, please"
VERY well. Then I'll tell you that you're
Just in time for our annual ball at the asy-
lum. Pm afraid that Belle is not going to
be able to go, but you can anyway"
At first May was Mortified at the idea, but
finally consented on being informed that
none of the inmates who ever showed the
least signs of violence were allowed to 90 to
these festivities" NtF
There is nothidg in the world to be afraid
Of" said DR.. Vane. IF any of the patients
approach you and want to enter into CONVEX
sation, as soon as you find out what their de-
fusion may be, agree with them, but never
argue. For instance, there's poor fellow
here who believes himself to be General
jackson. By according to him the respect
full attention to which, as such an illustrious
parsonage he believes himself entitled, we
are able to manage him with the greatest of
ease; but should very much dislike to un-
dertake to convince him that he has mistaken
his identity. Poor fellowl He's what 1
suppose you young ladies would call hand
some, too; noble brow, wavy brown hair,
and all that sort of thing"
ugh! IL makes me feel ugly to think of
going" said Miss Alcott, as she made her
toilet that evening; but there was novelty
about the affair which was irresistible, and
eight o'clock found her in readiness to ac-
company her cousin, Hector vane; his wife,
Belle, not feeling sufficiently recovered to
go.
DRESS quite plainly if you don't want to
be the object Of too much attention." the
doctor had said, and accordingly May had
donned simple white gown, which was.
nevertheless, very pretty and becoming
Her only ornaments were cluster of rose
buds nestled in the lace at her throat. and
another at her belt, while the rich masses of
golden brown hair were coiled in the SIM
pleft manner possible and held in place by a
liver arrow.
The ball room was already well filled when
they entered, May keeping tight hold of her
cousins arm. The scene was by no means
the pandemonium which she had half ex-
pected, but, ON the other hand, save for the
grotesque and varied costumes, presented
nothing SO very strange or unusual
Remember my instructions: don't seem
surprised at anything, and you are quite as
safe as at home" said the doctor in low
tone, but 1t was half an hour before May
could be persuaded to leave his side, or even
TO release her hold Of his arm. They had
scarcely entered the room when they were
approached by a little woman In rusty black,
who claimed an introduction to Miss Alcott,
and proceeded at once TO tell her story.
She had been immensely wealthy in her
own right; her husband and his family, after
trying every other means to get possession
OF her property, had finally hit upon the
plan OF having her shut up here, and giving
Out word that she was dead. She was very
deslrous Of sending note to the governor,
whicn would insure her release. She had
the letter with her. Would the young lady
kindly deliver it for her?
Looking helplessly at the doctor. who
answered for her in the affirmative, Miss AL
colt took the paper, which was an unintel-
ligible scrawl, and carefully placed 1t in her