The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-12-05
A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTAND-
ING.

ttA.,rA
-Tezple Bar.
A SLIGHT MISUNDERSTAND-
ING.
Three years ago was never contented
unless in the presence Of a young lady
near whose home were my bachelor lodg-
ings. We lived in the southern suburbs
Of London. Nv name is Fred Latimer
Here is Edith How / dotted on that
name, II used TO be Edith Mannering
but her surname has been changed for 4
long time. ! cannot remember what il
now is. The intelligent reader will al
once infer that she did not become Mrs
Latimer.
Before the time Of which am about 20
write, used 10 spend part ofeyery day
at Hill Villa, where she lived with her
rich widowed mothec and little brothers
Those boys constituted n multitude
that I could never nua Der or remember,
in spite OF Edith's pride in them all
Often after spending hours not to men
ton what was more precious TO me) in
endesvoring to win their favors, l have
failed to recognize in the street, one OF
many Of them, and so have gained, after
all my precious perseverance, nothing but
fher scorn.
began to be careful to call only during
school hours, when they were off the
premises. Tam afraid that Mrs Manner
ing discovered that Stunned her dar-
. lings she tried TO make her daughter be
lieve it, too, and 20 brought about cold
ness, on Edith's part, between US.
How my heart sickened at the thought
that she was becoming careless Of my de-
votion What prayers and expostuiatiops
poured out, and influenced by her
proud mother. how coldly she disregard
ed them, l saw my visits become less
and less welcome, and was forced to suf-
fer longer aud longer terms of banish-
ment.
returned from town 10 my lodgings
very late one night lfor despair was be-
ginning to drive me into bad habits and
struck light in my sitting-room. There
was letter for me on the table. Try to
imag ne the restorative effect it had upon
me when / assured myself that it was in
Ediths handwriting:
q A. e.. =
lost. atm in such agonyI hardly know
what TO 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 Charlie never reached
the school, and he did not come home.
{ We are helpless women, and whom can
| ask but you to help Us He always
hates to be absent, and would never stay
away il he were free and alive. Will YOU
not find him for Us at once?
You know what you say about proving
your devotion, dc. Do il now, if you
really want to visit US here as you used
/ to do We ecan hear no tiding yet. Come
early in the morning # you have any
love for EDIrH MAxxERINc.
Here was blessed a opportunity. 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 l could
visit her as J used to do"
actually danced with joy as l read
again the sweet words She had written.
Which of that tribe Of little brothers re-
joiced in the name Of Charlie? l could
not recollect. However, what did il mat
ter2 They were much alike, | reflected,
not much to choose between them.
was to call at Hill Villa in the morning.
and could be with Edith. She would
give me a description Of the lost boy to
help me in my search.
The only fear felt was that Charlie, or
news Of Charlie, must reach Hill Villa
before l could go there. Edith and Mrs.
Mannering were 50 wrapped up in the
little child that they failed to see how
easy matter it was to ascertain what
had happened him on his way to school.
was very uneasy as l thought of the
probability thst already he had been
strained to the bosom of his rejoicing
family, perhaps hours ago. must GER
tainly call as early as possible. 1t would
not be very long till dawn, so l would
not 20 to bed that night; l waited i'm
patiently for eight O'Clock to come.
At last l started; had decided that
would not be too early. Edith should
not fail to find me obedient to her sum
mons, and awaiting her when she came
down in the morning. As | walked to
hes home how ardently l prayed that
had not been forestalied in my task Of
restoring the boy TO his sister. The
house looked deserted and uninviting at
that early hour. and ii was some time be-
fore a servant answered ring.
ais Charlie found ?" inquired as l en-
tered the hall, eager to end my suspense.
No, sir"
No news of him YETI"
No, sir"
was shown into cold room, where I
paced up and down; stopping every now
and then to listen for Edith'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 sweetiy-
Did you think l could? have not
been TO bed since had your letter. l
said reproaehfully.
We have had no tidings of Charlie, =
she continued.
/. is len for me to bring him to you" +"
I cried, 8 let me begin my quest at once
Mr.. Latimer,' she said, tears shining