Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-10-03
ASLIGuT MISUNDERSTANDING.

Three years ago I was never con-
tented unless in the presence of young
lady near whose home were my bache-
lpr lodgings. We lived IN the southern
suburbs OF London. My name is Ere
Latimer. Hers Is Edith. How | dotted
on that uamel 1t used to be Edith
Mannering, but her surname has been
changed for a long time. l cannot
remember what IL now is. The in
tellIgent reader VIII at once infer that
she did not become Mrs Latimer.
Before the time of which l am about
TO write, l useI To spend part of
every day at Hill Villa, where she
lived with her rich widowed mother
and little brothers. Those boys con-
stituted "A multitude that l could never
number or remember, in spite of
Edth's pride In them all.
Often after spending hours mot to
mention what was more precious 10
mel In endeavorIng TO win their favors,
/ have failed to recognize in the street,
or have otherwise slighted, one or
many Of them, and so have gained
after all my precious perseverance,
nothing but their scorn.
l began 10 be careful to call only
during school houIs, when they were
of the premises. L am afraid Mrs.
Manuering discovered that l summed
her darliugs; she tried to make her
daughter believe it too, and so brought
about a cOIdness, on Edith's part,
between US.
How my heart s.ckened at the
thought that she was becoming careless
OF my devotion? What prayers and
expostulations L poured out, and, in
fiuenCed by her proud mother, how
coldIy she dIsregarded theml l saw
my visits become less aud less welcome,
was forced TO suffer longer and longer
terms of blnishment.
] returned from town to my lodgings
very late one night flor despair was
beginning to drive me into bad habits }
and struck light in my sitting-rOOm.
There was letter for me on the table.
Try to imagine the restorative effect il
had upon me when l assured myself
that it was in f iith's handwriting:
''MY DEAR MR.. LATINER:-Charley y
is lost. l am in such agony l hardly
know what | write. If you find him
for us, | can never sufficiently thank
and bless you. He has been lost since
two O'Clock. He started to school then
with Tommy and Bobby and the others,
but they didn't keep together, and
Charley never reached the school, and
he did not come home. We are help
less women, and whom can l ask but
you to help us? He always hates to be
absent, and would never stay away il
he were free and alive. VIII you not
find HIM for us at once2
you know what you say about
proving your devotion. nc. Do 1t
now, If you really want to visit us
here as you used to do. We can hear
no tidlngs yet. Come early In the
morning, II you have any love for
EDITH MANNERING."
Here was a blessed opportunity I
could not doubt my ability to find the
lost boy. What an easy way to gain
what Edith offered-her thanks and
blessing" by proving my devotion, :"
and | could "vlsit her as l used to do. ="
| actually danced with Joy as l read
again the sweet words she had written
Which OF that tribe of little brothers
TeIOiced in the name OF Charleyp l
could not recOllect. However, what
did It matter? They were much alike.
l reflected, not much TO choose between
them. l was 10 call 1T Hill Villa IN
She would give me a description of the
lost boy To help me in my search
The only fear 1 felt was that Char
lev, OF news OF Charley, must reach
Hin Villa before | could go there.
Edith and Mrs. Mannering were so
wrapped up In the child, that they
failed 10 see how easy 4 matter it WAS
to ascertain what had happened TO him
on his way 10 school,
was very uneasy as l thought OF
the probability that already he had
been strained 10 the bosom of his re-
loicing family, perhaps hours ago. l
must certainly call as early rs possible.
IL would not De very long TIL dawn, so
would not go 10 bed that night; l
waited !mpatiently for eight O'Clock to
come.
At last / started; l had decided that
seven would not be too early + iith
should not fail TO ind me obedlent TO
her summons, and awaiting her when
she came down in the morning. As
walAed 10 her home how ardently
prayed that had rot been forestalled
In my task Of restoring the boy TO his
SISTER. The hou. c looked deserted and
uninvitlng at that early hour, and 1t
was some time before a servant an
sNered my ring.
us Charley found2" 1 inquired As 1
entered the hall, eager TO end my
suspense.
NO, sir.n
No news OF him yet?"
NO, sir" the servant replied again.
l was shown into a cold room, where
paced up and down; stopping every
now and then TO listen for Etith's
coming. At last the door opened and
she came in, looking so pale and grief
worn.
You have not delayed, she said,
smiling very swestly.
Did you think / couldp I have not
been to bed since had your letter."
7ald reproachfully.