Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-03-07

not De able to return before or y
O'Clock; the friend she has gone to see
is very ill-in fact, dying land Aunt
Lizzie will probably stay until all is
over"
"Aunt Lizzle?' 1 thought; "has she
discarded the name of Rose?"
i remembered, however, that her inl-
-tials were r. e. w.
The dinner was charming; my appe-
lite was good. l never had dyspepsia
IN my life, and ate the luxurious food,
SO daintily prepared, with an enjoy
ment that must have been quite anus
ing to my companion.
About an hour after we had sat down,
| while we were lelsurely par.aking Of
our dessert and discussing the rights
OF women, the butler handed note to
my vis-a-vis. After asking me to ex-
cuse him he opened and read.
The look of surprise and consterna-
ton In his face was simply appalling.
Has anything happened to your
auntT ! timidly inquired, feeling I'M
comfortable under the scritinizing gaze
of his dark-gray eyes.
mo, no-that is, nothing of import
ance-but do not think she Will be
back tonight. But. Miss Rose-your
name is Miss Rose, is it not?"
put down the orange l was peeling
and looked the amazement felt.
My name is Miss Rose Terry" 1 re-
piled, with as much dignity as could
assume.
Yes-certalnly-I beg your pardon
but, Miss Rose-AIiss Terry, l mean
you will make yourself comfortable
for the night-untll my aunt returns, l
should say"
HIS confusion seemed very strange,
after his late self-possesslon, but at
tributing 1t all to the contents Of the
note-afas, did not then dream of the
Information 1t conyeyed:-I endeavored
to make the best of 1t, 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 principal
subjects of conversation during the
few hours passed with Mrs. Whar-
toms nephew, and SO pleasant and
agreeable did he prove that began to
like him very much, and quite forgot
my embarrassment at remaining 80
long alone with stranger.
AT breakfast next morning we chat
ted away like old friends, but when the
meal was over my companion asked me
to walk into the library for few mo-
| ments.
l complied with his request, made
rather grayely, feeling sensation pass
| through me that something was going
| to happen.
please be seated, Miss Terry" he
began. 81 regret that I am obliged to
explain a very strange mistake-and l
beg your pardon for keeping you In ig-
norance through last evening, but, be-
lieve me, did so only because wished
you to have a pleasant and comfortable
rest after your long journey.
could say nothing to this prepare
tory speech, for my heart was throb-
blng at such furious rate dared not
trust my voice.
"My aunt" he continued, expected
a lady friend, named Miss Annie Rose,
to arrive yesterday, and being called
from home unexpectedly, she commits
stoned me to be her escort from the
railroad station to the house. She spoke
| of Miss Roses travelling dress being
brown, and hence my mistake in ac-
costing you. The note received last
| ovan3nu opprtcod mo nf INV or,o,, a..
In 1t Aunt Lizzie informed me that Miss
Rose, learning of the Illness of Mrs,
Talmage, had arrived by an earlier
train and gone directly to the house of
Mrs. Talmage, SO that she might see
her friend once more while alive. II
you will accept my apologies for caus-
| Ing you this Inconvenience and delay in
your plans will be truly grateful for
your forbearance and will do all In my
power to rectify my mistake as speedily
as possible"
| What could say? He was SO sin
cerely sorry could not find fault with
him. With hot cheeks explained my
part In the misunderstanding.
MY friend is Mrs. Rose Wharton.
She lives on Charles street. If you
| will"
II will deliver you safely into her
hands, Miss Terry" he Interrupted,
"and will Immediately order the car
riage. But first must thank you for
your goodness In SO readily granting
pardon for my lnadvertence.'
| When we arrived at Mrs. Rose Whar-
| toms door he turned to me, and, taking
my hand, said:
Miss Terry, you have shown me
great mercy. VIII you add to your
fayors one more kindness, and grant
me permission to call this evening and
renew the acquaintance which, although
commenced under such untoward cir
cumstances, has yet afforded me much
happiness?"
| The look which accompanied these
words was SO beseeching that my heart
yielded and murmured an almost in
audible YES" which favor he &C.
knowledged by slight pressure of my
hand.
Mrs. Wharton and I had hearty
laugh over my adventure, and when
he called that evening she was COM
pletely charmed with both his manner
and appearance.
The acquaintance, commenced SO
strangely, progressed rapidly, and be-
fore my visit was half over had good
reason to hug my old brown merino
with grateful heart for being the un-
conscious means Of bringing me SO
much happiness.
i afterward had the pleasure of see
Ing Miss Annie Roses brown suit. Need
say 1t was as far superior to mine as
a brand new three-dollar-a-yard mate
rial could be to a seventy-ive-cent
merlno which was in its second season
Never mind" said my lover, as l
pointed out the difference. you shall
have as many ruffles and founces as
you like hereafter, but this brown dress
Is simply perfect, for it contains Rose
|