Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1900-03-14
| he In spirit heard my conversation with

Eyes, your dress. Ny aunt informed
me that your travelling suit was
brown"
"0h" family calculated. inwardly
thinking how very strange in mamma
to write to Mrs. Wharton concerning
the dress, and feeling considerably
vexed about it-so much so that the
gentleman, judging from my flushed
cheeks that the subject was unpleas-
ant, pursued it no further, to my great
relief.
Presently the carriage stopped before
large and handsome dwelling, and
| although l know that Mrs. Wharton
was in possession of very comfortable
| Income, | was not prepared for the ele-
| gance | encountered.
| Ny poor brown merino looked sadly
| out Of place beside the rich crimson fur
niture and splendid mirrors, and had
not Mrs. Whartons nephews made
strenuous efforts for my entertainment,
| | should have subsidized into that most
forlorn and dreary feeling-homesick
ness.
my aunt begged that we should dine
at the usual hour" said the gentleman,
after | had Invested myself Of my
wraps, ''as she was afraid she would
not be able to return before 8 or 0
| O'clock; the friend she has gone to see
is very Hin fact, dying-and Aunt
Lizzie will probably stay until all Is
over"
Aunt Lizzie?' 1 thought; has she
| discarded the name of RoseT
remembered, however,, that her inl-
tials were Il. E. w.
| The dinner was charming; my appe-
tite was good. never had dyspepsia
In my life, and l 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 leisurely partaking of
our dessert and discussing the rights
of women, the butler handed a note to
my yis-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
aunt" l timidly inquired, feeling I'M
comfortable under the scritinizlng gaze
of his dark-gray eyes.
mo, no-that is, nothing of import
ance-but I do not think she will be
back tonight. But, Miss Rose-your
name Is Miss Rose, Is it not?"
put down the orange I was peeling
and looked the amazement felt.
"My name is Miss Rose Terry" re-
piled, with as much dignity as I could
assume.
"Yes-certainly-I beg your pardon
but, Miss Rose-Miss Terry, I mean
you will make yourself comfortable
for the nfght-until my aunt returns,
should say"
His confusion seemed very strange
after his late f-possession but at
tributing 1t ell to the contents Of the
note-alas, did not then dream of the
information 1t conveyed.-I endeavored
to make the best of 1t, and told him not
to be uneasy, as I 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 I 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 SO
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.
I compiled with his request, made
rather grayely, feeling a sensation pass
through me that something was going
to happen. !
please be seated, Miss Terry" he
began. IT regret that am obliged to
explain very strange mistake-and 7
beg your pardon for keeping you in ig-
norance through last evening, but, be-
lieve me, did so only because I wished
you to have pleasant and comfortable
rest after your long Journey.
I could say nothing to this prepare
tory speech, for my heart was throl
bing at such furious rate dared no
trust my voice.
MY aunt" he continued, expected
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 l received last
evening appraised me of my error for
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. Tnlmage, so that she might see
her friend once more while alive. If
you VIII accept my apologies for caus-
ing you this Inconvenience and delay in
your plans l will be truly grateful for
your forbearance and will do all In my
power to rectify my mistake as speedily
q q poSSihlo