The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-05-03
ALL A MISTAKE.

A life in which nothing happens"
Such has been mine, at least until my.
twentieth year, when my aunt died,
leaving me the handsome house in
which I am now living. There was
much other property, and no inconsid-
cradle amount of money, besides 4 pref
fy little farm twenty miles out Of the
and what was still better, Il perfectly
free one and I enjoyed my liberty the
first few weeks with all the abandon
of all uncaged bird. But as winter came
ON I grew a little lonely. I had been
to my farm, and 1 found it Il WEAKNESS.
Not even the pride OF. possession could
reconcile me to it's solitude and monot-
ony. I had tried a watering place,
and the patronage Of some and the
servility of others had so wounded and
disguised me that early in September
u came back to my home in the city.
1T had become plain to me, moreover,
that some sort of chaperon was neces
&ary, for though I knew I was able
to- take care of myself, society did not
seem to think so; and had been con-
t1nually irritated by the constant pro-
poSalS Of friends to look out for me
a suitable person.
But if I was to have an incumbrance
i was determined to select it myself
and after some considera ton I wrote
do my old teacher asking her to accept
the position. This scheme had it's ad
vantages and it's drawbacks, as every
scheme has, the advantages being that
hi hNp 1y(ph 101 DIV
clever housekeeper, and quite manage
able; the disadvantages being that she
had daughter whom I must also take,
and whose position it would be diff
cult to define.
Mrs. Whitney proved invaluable. My
house and housekeeping under her man.
agement were models of comfortable
elegance; but Rose was something of 4
trial. She was only sixteen, and she
was insufferably vain of her pink and
white prettiness, and her youthful
bloom. I tried, however, to be kind
and just to her, for clothed her hand
somely, and took her with me wherever
L went I was careful, too to avoid
anything which might make her feel
her position as a DEPENDENT; and for
these things I think l deserve some
credit, for the servitude of one woman
to another is generally a very bitter
one.
One evening my lawyer called to
transact some business with me. He re-
manned to dinner and proposed after it
to take us to hear some famous singer.
There seemed to be no. reason for a
refusal, for the night was fine and the
moon full; besides, I had no other en-
gagement so the offer was accepted.
A. no yyi6n STAIR
way at Steinway hall, a gentleman ac-
cidentally trod on my dress. He stop
ped moment to apologize. My friend
recognized him and introduced us. l
had heard of Frank Ellers before, and
had read many of his contributions to
various magazines, so I felt no little
pleased and excited at the rencOntre.
His chair happened to be next mine,
and our acquaintance made such prog
ress that I made no objection to his
proposal to walk home in the clear,
frosty night. So Rose and Lawyer Den,
ton. and I and Frank Ellers made a
very merry party, and I went to bed
that night with strangely happy feel
ing in my heart.
Next morning he made a formal call
and indeed-though I don't know quite
how it happened-before long, he was
always calling on some pleasant pre-
text or another. How swiftly and hap
PLY the winter passed! Every night
we were together At first we went
out much, but gradually we fell into
the habit of spending the evenings II
the quiet, comfortable splendor OF my
own drawing room.
And so spring came again, and the1
another event happened Mrs. Whit
ney, who had been ailing for LONE
weeks, grew much worse, and the doc
tor ordered her change of air. SO
resolved to send her for few we2k'
to my farm; and Frank, with his usua
kirdpess, saw everything prepared TO
her comfort and then took her ant
Rcsc out there. This was the frs
break in a charmed length of day
which had been all perfect happiness
Every enc knows how one chang
brings on another, and therefore wa
more sad than astonished when Fran]
made an engagement which demanded
much Of his time, and put stop to GU
pleasant evening easements. Still
fingered in the city, staying at HON
every night for fear of missing chlnc
visit from him; and, rs time went or
growing half resentful of his long at
sence, and more than doubtful as t
!
beginning Of May I was unusually lone
1y and weary, for Frank had uisaI
pointed me every night, and I coul
settle to no work, Tor yet make an
plans for the summer All the Ion
warm days, and far into the dusk
evenings, sat doing nothing, thinlSin.
thinking, thinking the same SOFT sd
fancies born of love, and such "silke
folded idleness."
Saturday morning reused myse
suddenly.
Il will go out to the farm" I sal,
land if Mrs. Whitney is able, we wi
return on Monday, and then go som
where, anywhere out of New Yor]
If Frank loves me, he will come
seek me; if not, then the sooner
awake to the truth the better"
After breakfast I still held myse
to this resolution ana ~ arrived
Woodside farm in time TO. dinner
Mrs. Whitney and Miss Rose We