Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-09-18
A Fortunate Mistake.

KIND on foot"
"She'd be stupid if she didn't, wheI
l we've done nothing but whisper for the
past week." said Pauline Jennings, will
dark frown on her face; "but as tC
giving her an invitation, l aoon't And
if any one else asks her III stay at home
that's ALL"
Il don't see why you dislike her so
much," said Eva Walton, gently.
"Oh, she's so shy and awkward, and
then she dresses so abominably! Did
70 you notice that dress she wore yesterday
1t was so faded l couldn't tell the origi-
nal color Her father must be as poor
as Jobs turkey. Now there's no use in
your trying to persuade me to ask her to
go, Eva, for my minds made up"
"Then ! sha'n't try to change it, of
course" said Eva; "but I'm afraid she'll
be dreadfully hurt"
at she is, you won't know it." said
Pauline, "fOr there's only one more day
of school, I'm glad to say"
The bell rang, and recess was over
Eva had no time to reply, but all the
rest of the afternoon she had feeling
of shame whenever her eyes happened
to rest on the STOPPING, awkward figure
of Patty Madden, the. only girl in the
advanced class who had not been ask
ed to join the surprise party to Flora
Graves. Eva did not know Patty very
well, and was not especially attracted to-
ward her; but being warm-hearted,
good tempered girl, she did not like the
idea of having Patty slighted and wound
ed unnecessarily. But of course it
would not do to give her an invitation in
the face of Pauline's opposition, for
Pauline had been the one to suggest the
party, and had worked hard over the ar
and talked of little else for week past,
and had baked more cake for the lunch
baskets than all the other girls put to-
gether. Flora Graves was her "mOst
particular" friend, and she was there
fore anxious that the party should be a
pronounced success.
She had not seen Flora tor several
weeks, for Mr.. Graves had recently
moved his family to fine farm about
four miles from town, and Flora had
concluded not to attend school the rest
of the term. 1t was not convenient for
her to have the carriage every morning,
and she considered the distance too
great for her to walk.
Patty, however, thought nothing Of
the three mile tramp morning and night,
for she had been born and brought up
in the country, and was accustomed to |
outdoor exercise. She was sometimes |
so fortunate as to get ride on a neigh |
boris wagon, and occasionally she made |
her appearance at school in her fathers |
OK cart; but as usual thing she came
on foot.
In spite of the shyness and reserve
which kept her school-mates at dis
tance, Patty was very fond of the COM
pany of young people of her own age,
and, as Eva had supposed, was well
aware that Pauline was arranging
grand surprise party to some one, and
was both wounded and mortified at be-
ing the only girl in the grammar class
not invited. But she was too proud to
show what she felt, and when school
was dismissed at four o'clock, and Paul
inc left the building without even alook
in her direction, she gave no sign of the
terrible heart sickness which made her
feel just then as if she had not friend
in the world.
"Good- by" she said to Eva, in a pleas
ant, even tone, as she walked away, her
school-bag on her arm; and Eva, watch
ing her out of sight down the quiet
country road, wondered why it was that
Pauline disliked her so much.
Knox's big express wagon went around
at six o'clock, gathering up all those
who were to attend the surprise party,
and by half-past six they were well on
their way
1t was beautiful June evening, the
road was good, and the young people
all in high spirits. The time passed so
rapidly that the wagon was turning in
at big white gate before any one real
lied that they were anywhere near their
destination.
'I've never been here BEFORE" said
Pauline.
"Nor II' "Nor II'' "Nor Il'' cried
half dozen other voices.
care you sure this is the place, driv-
err" asked Eva, appealing to the man
on the box.
"Well, amt just certain, miss" was
tha rap1v Dhut 7 rpckOn il iS ~
"Oh, of course this is the place." said
Pauline, confidently. 81 can tell by the
poplar trees. Flora wrote me that the
yard was full of them"
AS the wagon rolled up to the house
the front door was opened by tall, shy
looking boy of about seventeen years of |
age, who retreated in dismay as he saw
the merry crowd.
"Surprise!" "Surprisep cried the boys
and girls in chorus, and laughing and {
talking at the top of their voices, they
Jumped out of the wagon, and went
into the hall in body. {
Pauline was the first to reach the par
lor door, and as she entered it slight, I
figure rose hurriedly from a
sofa, dropped book, and advanced to {
meet her. 1t was Patty Madden.
Before Pauline could utter the cry of :
and chagrin that rose to her ,
lips, the parlor was full of her comrades, I
and Patty, half laughing and half cry l
ing, was saying how pleased she was at
the honor done her.
81 feel real mean," she said, frankly, {
for heard there was to be surprise {
party, and was dreadfully vexed because
| hadn't been invited. Inever dreamed
for moment that you were coming
here. l am real glad, though, and in /.
tend to make you have a first-rate time.
Ned can play the violin and Tom can play S,
the banjo, and Wen have dance in the !
barn"
The members of the surprise party {
exchanged stealthy glances, but no one $
said anything to undeceive Patty, who
rushed off with radiant face to find