The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-09
.HER -BLUNDER,,
BY W. x.

Carolyn Vernet was OF tndt oiuei VI
women to whom their admirers are
wont to apply such adjectives as re-
GAL" magnificent" imperial"
Many lovers sought to win her, and
many were disappointed when rumor
her engagement to young
Frank Reade.
To be sure, Frank was handsome as
prince, and brilliant as to wit and tai
ents; was poor, hadn't even "expecta-
TONS"
Early orphaned Of both his parents
he was educated for the law by rich
uncle, who made it understood that
said education was all he meant to give
Frank.
His presumptive heir was another
nephew, Franks cousin.
Well, these considerations had their
weight with Miss Vernet, and she had
hesitated before accepting the young
lawyer; but his attractions of mind
and person proved too much for her
worldly wisdom, and it was an engage
ment.
Only she stipulated that 1t should be
no more until Frank should have suf-
ficient income to support her in good
style.
OF course, Frank must needs 60 away
to seek his fortune. He went to Eu-
rope and for a month Carolyn was in
consolable.
However, this did not last long; and
at the end of month Carolyn had so
far recovered from her grief as to &C.
cept an invitation to Mrs. De Smiths
soiree.
At that soiree she met Albert Reade,
that unfortunate cousin Of Frank.
Mr.. Reade was rather good-looking
young man. She saw at once that he
was destined to become her adorer.
Besides, he was Franks cousin; rea-
son enough why she should like him.
Still, she did not speak to him OF
Frank; neither did Mr.. Reade allude to
his cousin. But Albert was ignorant OF
Miss Vernet's engagement to Frank.
He began. from their first meeting, to
devote himself to her; and Miss Ver-
net, not being blind, especially to such
attentions, did not mistake 1t, yet she
did not discourage him.
And when, occasionally, she heard
some comment from society" not fat
tering to her constancy, she said, in
dignantly:
"Of course, she must go about with
some one; and who would be more
proper escort than Franks cousin?"
So she continued to go about" with
Albert Reade, and society continued to
talk about them to its hearts content.
OF course, you see the sequel: Caro-
Ign loved Frank. Under the fascination
Of his presence she had yielded her
selfishness, but now that he was gone
worldliness had resumed its sway, and
ambition began to suggest that Albert
was better match than Frank.
Society" that astute and consider.
ate body, had long foreseen the event.
and was not in the least surprised
when Miss Vernet authorized the in
formation that she was soon to marry
Albert Reade; and society thought it
very sensible proceeding.
And Carolyn married Albert Reade'
They went to live with Uncle jenkins
who gave the bride set of diamonds
and did the handsome thing generally;
and somebody was good enough to
send to Frank, in Europe, a paper con-
tanning the marriage notice. What a
crushing blow to all his hopes that
notice was-he never told to any one
He did not return home, and society
was left to forget or remember him az
1t would.
1t chose to remember him, for Caro-.
Ign, riding on ferryboat, about two
years after her marriage, heard lady
and gentleman at her side conversing
as follows:
II suppose Maria told you about heI
friend, Frank Reade's good fortune?'
queried the lady.
mo; what about him? I understand
that he was rather unfortunate at one
time"
you mean about his engagement tc
that INSTRUMENT, was it'll suppose
Yes, he did take her Inconsistency very
badly, Maria says. They say she was
great beauty, and men are silly about
pretty face-begging your pardon, nor
anil"
Granted" laughed the gentleman
Proceed"
well, you know as soon as he wa!
safely out of the way she married {
rich man; some relation to Franz
Reade, I believe"
"Yes, have heard all about that"
"Well, now comes the sequel. Franz
went to Switzerland on some wild
goose chase, and while there saved thu
life of certain rich, benevolent, child
less gentleman. Well, the benevolent
old gentleman insisted on taking hi:
brave young preserver home to Eng
land with him; then he adopted him
and now he has capped the climax by
dying and leaving his immense for
tune, Internationally, to Frank Now
won't that be bitter pill to the faith
less beauty?"
Carolyn heard 10 more, but she hat
heard enough, and later the story hat
plenty of confirmation. 1t was bitter
pill to her. But the worst was not yet
In the course Of nature Uncle Jen
kins died and was buried, and his law
yer came to read the will to the he'll
presumptive. With serene satisfaction
Mr.. and Mrs. Reade listened to the fol
lowing:
II give and bequeath to my nephew
Albert Reade, all the property O.
which | die possessed, amounting
Here the lawyer paused to wipe hi:
spectacles.
Amounting to Ave thousand dollars
invested in" etc., etc.
That was all! Uncle jenkins appar
ent wealth had been all sham, ant
Carolyn had sold herself for five thou
sand dollars! She had lest not only {
true and loving heart, but what was o
more yalus-a prircely fortune!
DEEP PARK HOTEL,