The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1893-02-28
nary MiIler's Mistake; Or a Bold Strike.

man. thirty or Whereabouts, with a
pair of flashing black eyes and a
military mustache.
One of his very first acts was to
present at the splendid stone house
upon the hill the letter oeintroduc-
ton he carried. 1t was cordial in
its character, and the writer was an
old and intimate friend of Mrs. Mil
Ter, a retired New York banker.
This, of course, gave him the entree
to the home of "the wealthiest girl
in Carroll county" as Mary Miller
was designated. Such good use had
he made of his opportunity that she
now, after a bare months of ac-
= ice, wore his ring of be-
The fact of the engagement was
suppressed, but the preparations for
the wedding went rapidly on. Mr..
Harrison's letter and Campbell's
own assurances had satisfied Mrs.
Miller as to the social and financial
standing of the groom elect.
And just as she was one day con-
graduating herselfo on the same, who
should walk in but Mr.. Benjamin
Harrison.
"Down your way, and couldn't
pass without dropping in to-day.
How dye do2" he explained as he
shook hands. "Charming day for
the end of April, isn't ii? Yes, I'll
stay to dinner. How is Mary?"
He was rosy, rubicund, white
haired old man, who rubbed his
hands continually while he was
talking.
About to tell him the great news,
Mrs. Miller suddenly checked her.
self. No, mol She would give both
her old friend and future son in law
a pleasant surprise.
She merely told him of her daugh-
ters engagement, positively refusing
to give the name of the happy man.
"Is it that fine young fellow 1 met
here last summer" he questioned.
"Jack Scovil? Oh, dear me, no!
Be patient. You shall met him.
But am surprised that you have
not guessed more accurately"
Had he quite forgotten his letter
of introduction?
Evidently he had not dreamed of
all to which it might have, and had,
led.
Mary, out riding with Campbell,
went straight to her room when
they returned. Her mother ex-
planned the situation with much
CHEEKY anticipation.
"But whore is Harvey"
ale went back to the hotel to
dress. He will be up to dinner"
And he was.
He came into the drawing room,
where the two ladies sat with Mr..
Harrison.
What a picture Mary made to be
sure-all bronze green velvet and
pale pink roses!
But his admiration of his betroth
ed was of brief duration. For he
had caught sight of Benjamin Har-
rison's bewildered face.
One step he could not move.
"Such old friends should need no
introduction" declared Mrs. Miller's
complacent voice. "Mr. Harrison,
Mr.. Campbell, whom we first had
the pleasure of meeting through
your earnest letter of introduction"
Campbell had grown very pale,
and retreated a step. Mr.. Harrison,
on the contrary, had become purple.
"My-my letter" he gasped, "of
-introduction-to him?"
And he fairly choked
aMary," murmured Mr.. Campbell,
tenderly, "stand by a fellow when
he's downl"
But Mary was leaning forward in
the fascination of terror to catch the
next words.
Eyes rejoined Mrs. Miller feebly,
feeling that her pleasant surprise"
was not wholly the success she had
imagined it would be-"don't you
know Mr. Campbell?"
"Nol" Numbered the banker II
don't knew Mr.. Campbell, but 1
know the man who used to run the
elevator in our building-Pat Mug
gins, and there he stands!'
But he didn't; for Mr. Campbell,
alias Muggins, had turned and fed,
and Dumala knew him no more.
And Mary2 Well, she had never
cared for him. She had been at
tracted and for while fascinated
that was all. She had had a rude
awakening, too, but the blessing of
the same surpassed its cruelty.