The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-16
MISS RANDALL'S ERROR

MISS RANDALL'S ERROR
A broad expanse Of water, dotted here and
there with tiny, VIII le-sailed boats; over
head. a soft, pearl-tinted sky; the sweet
breath Of the pines floating mp from the
forest near, mingled with the odor Of a
thousand blossoms; it was lovely scene
think was perfectly happy that morn
ing as I strolled along down the shining
beach. I was young and hopeful - life
looked fair % me that summer day, and, bet
ter than al else, Lloyd Cameron loved NE.
was a poor, OyerW0Tked g0yerueSs, and
had come 10 this fair seaside retreat TO look
after Mrs Gray's three olive branches. 1
was only Nellie Lee, a little nobody. Yet
LLOYD Cameron, handsome, rich, ana de-
eidedly elg be, had asked me 10 be his
wife But | cared little for his vea tn ana
position, and would have answered yes Just
as quickly had he been poor and obscure,
for ! loved him and believed in his affection
for me. And We were bctrOtheJ, althOug
the engagement was to remain secret until
Mrs. Gray should signify her intention OF
returning to her city home.
] was thinking OF II all THIS talT morning,
as | str0lled along the white beach, Tor
once free from the troublesome enacuonS
OF the SChOOi-TOOm, and with a half hour al
my disposal Pacing slowly TO and fr0-a
slight, slim figure in gray cashmere dress
and a big suu-hat with wreath OF scarlet
pOpVieS-I was reviewing my own sltuauOn.
| had no one 30 consult, for l was utterly
alone in the world, and dependent upon my
own eXertiOns. I had neither grace nor
beauty; why, then. had Lloyd Cameron
loved ne? l thought OF my SallOW lace
framed Ia by waves Of dark hair, and lit up
by pair Of biz. OWlish eyes, and cOntrasJed
my tout ensemble with tbs beautiful, Ugh
bred ladies who bad fOcked 20 this fash
iOnable seaside resort and II seemed all
too good TO- be true,
Buried in meditation, I did not hear a
foOtstep coming down the beach until
voice accOsted me.
Il" Miss Lee, if you please. Mrs. Gray
wants 10 see You at the hotel"
Only one of the servants. All, well, what
was ] but a hireling also? Though Nellie
Lee had seen better days. All the same,
must obey my mistress, so l fastened 10
seek Mrs Gray In Der luxurious apartment
"A stylish blonde beauty IN handsome
negligee Of white lawn and NalenclenneS
lace. AS l entered she lifted her sleepy
blue eyes and nodded curtiy.
81 have few words to say 10 you, Miss
Lee" she began, in her cold, cutting voice,
which somehow always had power TO make
my heart beat faster with a dread of some
thing unpleasant to come. Il wished TO
observe" she went on, " that I-ah-dO not
approve Of your behavior; your conduct
with Mr. Cameron is repTeheusible."
Madam
lido not ike lt-that is enOugh-Qujte,"
she went on YiCiOuSlr, her lace growing
crimson with anger. 1T IS getting TO be
the talk of the place. You are seen with
him al all hours, and it
Madam-Nrs. Gray. i burst forth, I'M
able 10 longer restrain ny Indignation
will not submit TO this outrage"
Very we'll Here IS your quarters sal
sry: you are discharged, Miss Lee"
And as l turned to leave the room, she
added, cruelty
Perhaps you are not aware that Mr..
Cameron is engaged to Miss Belle Arnold
OF Boston, ana that she viii arrive here to
day ?"
Il was a fearful blow, but bore it some
how. ! rushed upstairs 10 my own room,
too excited TO think. ! would pack my few
belongings and get away az once. Some
other employment would be open TO me
surely God would not fOTSake me utterly.
just as I reached the head of the stairs I
saw Lloyd Cameron coming down the long
Yesjibule; | would have turned back, but he
caught my hand and detained me moment.
Nellie" he whispered, softly, come
down to the beach, will you? I want TO
talk to you"
Il will 60, said to myself at is best.
/ will tell him all and set him free. What
indeed, is the bond between Us, since be is
betTOthed to another woman"
Ten minutes later l was seated upon
great shadowy rock upon the beach, and
Lloyd Cameron was al my side. How hand
some lie looked in the bright morning sun
shine, my daTk-eyed, noble lover! Sitting
there, ! told him all that had trans iTed; he
listened with flashing eyes.
It's false, Nelliei" he cried pasSionately.
"All false, my darling! And to prove that
DO love yOu, little one, l ask you to be my
wife nova: once! ] can readily procure
III ooh n-H e. F~~.vr
this place. Come, Nellie, let us 60 there.
No preparations are necessary; be NY wife.
and give ME the right TO shield you and
protect you from all LIES storms"
He urged and pleaded, and Of course the
result is easily guessed That afternoon we
went to the little UNCOVERED church a half
mile distant and the words were spoken
which made me the wife OF Lloyd Cameron.
| was perfectly happy, and all the clouds
had disappeared from my sky.
Returning to the hotel, went up to my
own little chamber TO pack my trunk for
Lloyd would take me away il a few hours.
Working away hurr e1ly at my packing, my
heart light as a feather with hope and
happiness, l suddenly heard the tones Of
shrill, sharp voice IN the room adjoining
mine.
knew that voice; it belonged to Miss
Randall, dear friend ana confdante OF
Mrs. Gray-an elderly lady with q vinegar
Visage and disposition which correspond
ed. a veteran gossip, she never lost an OPP
pOTtuDlty for information ia regard to her
neighbOrs' affairs, and rarely failed TO DO
mischief.
"Why, my dear Belle" she cried shrilly,
when did you arrive? So glad to see you'll
Time you came, too, l think, IL the truth
was known! tell you, my dear, it does
not pay to leave a handsome aud fasCinat-
Ing lover among such beYy Of pretty girls
as are gathered herel l don't wish to
alarm you, Belle, but really, Mr.. Cameron
has been amusing himself with young per-
son entirely below his station-a nurse
maid-or-Or something-wIth the absurdly
aTiSt0CratiC name of Lee!'
'YesP" There was a fine scorn In the
sweet voice which answered the old gossip.
Indeed Miss Randall l assure you"
but 1t is something serious" persisted
the old woman. and it ought to be stopped
The girl is low, common person, Of course,
and / say it is a shameW
Miss Randall"
How my heart thrilled at the sound of
that voice. II was Lloyd Cameron's, and
through the open door Of Mrs Gray's little
paTlor he had heard the entire conversation,
Miss Randall" he continued, sternly, Il
beg your pardon for this intrusion; but
perhaps you are not aware that you are in
sulting my Wlfe!"
Great heayensW
l heard Miss Randall gasp tie words, and
then threw open the door Of my own room
JUST % o6iie AIuOiQs tail, handsome Dru-
nette, daried forward aud caught me in her
arms.
Dear, dearl 1t is little Nellie Leelp she
cried. My dear child, you've forgotten
me, no doubt, but used to be Belle Van
Zandt when you lived in Boston, and we
were sChoolmstes. 1 married Dick Arnold
year agO-dear old boy-he will be here
to-day"
knew her then-my old schoolmate and
former friend in days Of plenty and pros
perity.
You see, sweetheart" said Lloyd, put
ting his arm around me right there in the
II L. L. III 4 L