Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-03-20
MISTAKEN.

MISTAKEN.
MIR. Mopsle1gh was an aspiring man.
His motto was Upward and onward"
And, to certain extent, he had lived
up to it; for, beginning life with no
greater capital than a ragged coat, a
shoe-block and box of backing, he
had succeeded in amassing fortune
of something over hundred thousand
dollars. He had never married, be-
cause he had been too busy In his
younger days. and now that his means
would admit of such a luxury, his
hopes and aspirations were all CEN
tered In his only nephew, fine young
fellow, just one-and-twenty years OF
age.
You're all I have in the world
DICK, said he. And you shall be my
heir, If you only marry to please me-
But Mammon and Cupid are almost
Invariably ranged in opposition to one
another In this world-and in full view
OF the unparalleled idiocy of such
proceeding, Dick Avenel fell in love
with a pretty girl who hadn't penny
70 bless herself with, and one day he
sought his Uncle Mopsleigh.
Uncle" said Dick, I'm in love"
The deuce you are" said the old
gentleman
With the sweetest girl in the
world" avered Dick.
And who, pray, may she be?" de-
manded Mr.. Mopsleigh
Her name is Clara Cleveland She's
nursery governess in Mrs. Van Vorst's
family"
Then" said Uncle Mopsleigh.
you'd better get out of love with her
as quick as you can. want no beg
carly governesses in my family! Be-
sides. I've alreSSvsicked out wife
Tor you!"
"Eh!" said Dick.
Miss Clementina Etherege, the heir
ess! Just come to visit her aunt, Mrs.
Major Doddington. Worth quarter
OF million i'll her own right! And
they tell me she is as pretty as a pink,
That's the sort OF wife for you, nv
boy"
Il beg your pardon, SIR" said Mr..
AVenel, with dignity Were she as
rich as Croesus, and beautiful as We
aus, she would be perfectly Indifferent
to mel"
Don't be an asst" said Mr.. Mops-
;ph
so-ome with me at once, and call on
VI Major Doddington. See for your
SUI,
course l will do as you please
this said Dick, mentally steel
A nself for a stiff combat. And.
an Idly more determined than ever
will is hat and accompanied the old
her can.
Major Doddington lived in a
pretty Ma1Eard-roofed villa just out of
town. There was 2. fountain in front
OF the veranda, and perspective view
of blue-silk furnished drawing-rooms
through the open French easements.
Mrs. Major Doddington is not at
home" said the little maid in white
apron and pink-ribboned cap. who
came to the door. Would the gentle
men walk in and see Miss Etherege ?''
But. Mr.. Mopsleigh declined this He
didn't quite like to face the heiress
without the advantage Of Mrs. bod.
dington's presence. He handed out his
card, on which he hurriedly penciled
beneath his own name, that of his
nephew, and said that he would "ca1l
again.
But as they passed the corner of the
house, themselves hidden by a NINA.
of rP rh
had an excellent view Of one of the
blue silk rooms, where a slender, pref
ty young lady, also in blue, sat WRITING
at desk-a young lady with long eve
iashes, an oval face and rose twist
ed in the coils of her blue-black
hair.
That's she, sir!" said Mr.. Mons.
leigh, grasplng his nephew's arm, and
gesticulating toward the unconscious
note writer with the forefnger OF his
disengaged hand. That's the heir
ess! Look at her! Isn't she beau.
typ"
She is, indeed, sir" said Dick, who
stood transixed in the middle of the
rhododendrons. But are you sure"
"Of course I'm sure" brusquely in
terruDted Mr.. Mopsleigh. Who else
can it be? Dick, look here! You shall
marry that girl"
Il will, sir" averred Dick, with
equal sincerity
Mr.. Mopsleigh's face Frightened CD.
you're a trump, Dick" said hey II
Knew you'd come back to your seaase
after little. Marry her, Dick, and III
settle my whole fortune on you"
"All right. SIR said Dick.
Hardly had the footsteps OF the de-
parting guests died away on the lawn
:han another young lady came in from
an adjoining room, and bent her
pretty head over the fair letter-wri-
ter.
~ Are you almost through. Clara?"
Quite through now, dear"
8 Well, then. Clara, look here."
land Missss q. rege--the real Miss
lEilEMH9a.