Smyrna times., 1892-02-03
MISS RANDALLS MISTAKE.
BY ROSE c BENNETT.

sky the sweet breath of the pines
floating up from the forest near, ming
led with the odOr ola thousand bios
sons it was a lovely scene.
l think | was perfectly lappy that
morning as strol'ed down the
shining beach. was young and hope
ful-lite looked fair to me that summer
day, and better than all else, Lloyd
Cameron loved me.
| was a poor Overworked govtrness,
and had come to this fair seaside re-
sort to look after Mrs. Gray's three
olive branches. was only Nellie
Lee, little nobody. Yet Lloyd Cam
eron, handsome and decidedly eligible,
had asked me to be his wife. But
cared little for his wealth and position,
and would have answered yes just as
quickly had he been poor and obscure,
tor loved him, and believed in his
affection for me. And we were be.
trOthed, although the engagement was
to remain a secret until Mrs. Gray
should signify their intention Of return
ing to her city home.
! was thinking OF it all this morning,
as strolled along the white beach,
for once free from the trubesome en-
actions of the school room, and with a
half hour at my disposal. Pacing
slowly to and frO-a slight, slim figure
in a gray cashmere dress and big sun
hat, with a wreath of scarlet pOppies-
| was reviewing my own situation.
had no one to consult, for was utterly
alone in the world, and dependent
upon my own exertions. had neither
grace nor beauty; why, then had
Lloyd Cameron loved me? ! thought
of my salow face framed by waves OF
dark hair, and lit up by pair of big
Owlish eyes, and concentrated by tout
ensemble with the beautiful ladies who
had hocked to this fashionable seaside
resort and it seemed all too good to
be true.
Buried in meditation, did not hear
the foot step coming down the beach
until voice accOsted me.
Miss Lee, if you please Mrs. GRAY
wants to see you at the hotel"
Only one of the servants. Ah, well,
what was l but a hireling also d?
Though Nellie Lee had seen better DAYS.
All the same, l must obey my mistress,
so / hasteued to seek Mrs. Gray in her
luxurious apartment-a stylish blonde,
beauty in a handsome negligee OF
white lawn and Vaenciennes lace. As
| entered she lifted her sleepy blue
eyes and nodded curtly.
II have a few words to say to YOU
Miss Lee" she began, in her cold, cut
ting voice, which somehow always had
power to make my heart beat faster
with dread of something unpleasant
to come. Il wished to observe" she
went on, that I-ah-do not approve
of your behavior yOnr conduct with
MIR. Cameron is reprehensible ~
MADAM ~
81 do not like it-that is enough
quite - she went on ViciOusly, heI
face growing crimson with anger. at
is getting to be the talk of the place
You are seen with him at all hours
and it,
"Madam-Mrs. Gray!" burst forth
unable to longer restrain my indigna
ton. ~ will not submit to this out
rage !"
Very well. Here is your quarter,
salary; you are discharged, Miss Lee!'
And as turned to leave the room
she added, cruelty:
Perhaps you are not aware thR
Mr.. Cameron is engaged 10 Miss Bell,
Arnold, of Boston, and that she will
arrive here tO-day?"
1t was a fearful blow, but l bore it
somehow / rushed upstairs to my
own room, too excited to think.
would pack my few belongings anC
| get away at once. Some other employ
ment would be open to me; surely
God would not fOrsake me utterly
Just as | reached the head of tn,
stairs | saw Lloyd Cameron comm,
down the long vestibule; / would
have turned back, but he caught IN,
hand and detained me a moment.
Nellie" he whispered, softly, com
down to the beach. will you? l wan
to talk to you"
81 will go" l said to myself. ut i
best | will tell him all and set hin
free. What, indeed, is the bond be
tween us, since he is betrothed to an
other wOman?"
Ten minutes later was Sc lted upoI
I a SudnOW AONh u BOu the DtdCu, buI
Lloyd Cameron was at my side. How
handsome he looked in the brigh
morning sunshine, my dark-e e,
handsome lover Sitting there, l toll
him all that had transpired he lis
tened with flashing eyes.
1T is false, Nellie" he cried, pas
sionately, "All false! And, to prov
that l do love you, little one, l ask yO
to be my wife, nOw-at once Their
is a church not far from this plac,
Come, Nellie, let us go there. N
preparations are necessary be m
wife aud give me the right to shiel
you and protest you from all life
storms. 49,.
He urged and pleaded, aud of cOurs
the result is easily guessed. Tbs
afternoon we went to the little ivy
covered church a half mile distan
and the words were spoken whic
made me the wife of Lloyd Cameron
l was perfectly happy, and all tn
clouds had disappeared from the sk!
Returning to the hotel, went up I
my own chamber to pack my trunk
for Lloyd would take me away in
few hours. Working away hurriedl
at my packing, my heart light as
feather with happiness, suddenl
heard the tones of a shrill, sharp vOiC
in the room adjoining mine.
/ knew that voice, it belonged
Miss Randall, dear friend and OOni
dante of Mrs. Gray-an elderly lad
with vinegar visage, and a dispositio
which correspOnded. A veteran go
sip, she never lost an opportunity f
information in regard to her neigI
boris affairs, and rarely failed to d
mischief.
"Why my dear Belle" she erie
shrilly, when did you arrive So gls
to see you Time you come, too,
think, If the truth was known Il
you dear, it does not pay to leave
handsome and fascinating lover amor
such bevy Of pretty girls as are gatl
I cred here don't wish to alarm "
, Belle, but Mr.. Cameron has bee
: amusing himself with a young perst
. entirely below his statiOn-a nurs
1 maid--Or-or - something = with Il
} absurdly aristoeratic name of Lee !"
''Yes ?" There was fine scorn
the sweet voice which answered d