The Opelousas courier., 1897-10-23
"NTy dress?" I gasped.

flushed cheeks that the subject wa
unpleasant, pursued it no further, t
my great relief.
Presently the carriage stopped be
fore a large and handsome dwelling
and although I knew that Mrs. Whar
ton was in possession of very comfort
able income, l WAS not prepared TO
the elegance [ encountered.
Ny poor brown merino looked sadl,
ont Of place beside the rich crimso.
furniture and splendid mirrors, AM
had not Mrs. Wharton's nephew mad
strenuous efforts for my entertain
ment, I should have subsidized intt
that most forlorn and dreary feeling
-homes1ckness.
"My aunt begged that we SHOULD
dine at the usual hour" said thu
gentleman, aftenEhad Invested mysel
of my wraps,1''as she'pas afraid she
would not be able to re.vrn before
eight or nine O'clock; the tlNand she
has gone to see is very I'LL. far;
~dying-and Aunt Lizzie viii probably
stay until all is over"
"Aunt Lizzie?" I thought "has she
discarded the name Of Rose?"
I Remembered, however, that her
initials were Il. E. w.
The dinner was charming my appe-
tite was good. Inever had dyspepsia
in my life, and I ate the luxur;ant
food, SO daintiiy prepared, with an en-
joyment that must have been quite
amusing to my companion.
hour after we had sat down,
while we were ]eisurely partaking OF
our dessert, and discussing the rights
Of women, the butler handed O note
to my vis.a.vis. After asking me 10
excuse him, he opened and read it.
The look of surprise and consterna.
ton in his face Vas simply appalling.
elias anything happened to your
aunt?" I timidly inquired, feeling un-
comfortable under the scrutinlzing
gaze of his dark gray eyes.
"No, no-that IS, nothing of i'm
portance-but L do not think she will
be back tonight. But, Miss Rose
your name is Miss Rose, is it not?"
put down the orange I wa peel.
ing, and looked the amazement / felt.
my name is Miss Rcso Terry,"I
replied, with as much dignity as I
could assume.
"Yes--certainly-1b beg your pardon
Miss Rose-Miss Terry, / mean
you will make yourself comfortable
for the night-until nv aunt returns.
I should say"
His confusion seemed very strange,
after his late graceful self-possession;
but, attributing it all to the contents
OF the note-alas, I did not then
dream of the intormationit conveyed!
i endeavored to make the best of it. |
and told him not to be uneasy, as /
had no doubt but that Mrs. Wharton
would return early in the morning.
Books and music formed the princi.
pal subjects of conversation during
few hours 1 passed with Mrs.
nephew, and so pleasant
and agreeable did he prove that I be-
gan to like him very much, aDd quite
my embarrassment at remain
ng SO long alone with a stranger.
At breakfast, next morning, we
away quite like cid friends;
when the meal was over my com.
,anion asked me to walk into the
for a few moments.
l complied with his request, made
ather gravely, feeling a sensation pass
trough me that something was going
o happen.
''Please be seated, Miss Terry" he
'egan. 81 regret that I am obliged
0 explain a very strange mistake
nd l beg your pardon for keeping
in ignorance through last even
ng, but, believe me, I did so only be.
I wished you to have a pleasant
nd comfortable rest after your long
,urney."
could say nothing to this prepara-
Dry speech, for my heart was throb-
at such a furious rate I dared not
Est my voice.
"My aunt" he continued, "expect-
/ q lady friend, named Miss Annie
'ose, to arrive yesterday, and being {
allied from home unexpectedly, she !
commissioned me to be her escort from I
he railroad station to the house. She t
poke OF Miss Roses travelling dress c
cling brown, and hence my mistake
accosting you. the note received q
st evening apprised me OF my error, {
r in it Aunt Lizzie informed me
lat Miss Rose, learning the illness OF Z
rs. Talmage, had arrived by an C
lrlier train. and gone directly to the I
ouse OF Mrs. Ialmage, SO that she F
light see her friend once more while s
i've. If you will accept my apologies t
r causing you this Inconvenience G
I'd delay in your plans, I will be
uly grateful for your forbearance, s
ID will do all in my power to rectify I
= mistake as speedily as possible" Il
What could I say? He was so sim e
rely sorry, I could not find fault b
tn him. With hot cheeks, I ex- b
aimed my part in the misunderstood. n
''My friend is Mrs. Rose Wharton. C
. lives on Charles stree. If you G.
IL" n
Il shall deliver you safely into her q
nds, Miss Terry" he interrupted, Il
nd will Immediately order the car Ct
'ge. But first I must thank you for IL
ur goodness in SO readily granting IL
rdon for my inaavertence." al
When we arrived at Mrs. Rose Whar- j.
rs door he turned to me and, taking
hand, said:
Terry, you have shown me