The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-03-20

anu Ie,. .A"a.u ,vrrol. was the mar
a medium, clarvoyant? Had he IL
spirit heard my conversation with Geor'
gle?
"My dress?" I gasped
"Yes, your dress. My aunt informed
me that your travelling suit was brown"
"Oh" I family calculated, inwardly
thinking how very strange in mamma to
write to Mrs. Wharton concerning the
dress and feeling considerably vexed
about t--so much 50 that the gentleman,
judging from my flushed cheeks that the
subject was unpleasant, pursued it no
further to my great relief.
Presently the carriage stopped before a
large and handsome dwelling, and al
though l knew that Mrs. Wharton was
in possession Of very comfortable in.
come l was not prepared for the elegance
l encountered.
My poor brown merino looked sadly
out Of place beside the rich crimson fur
niture and splendid mirrors, and had not
Mrs. Wharton's nephew made strenuous
efforts for my entertainment I should
have subsidized into that most forlorn and
dreary feeling inconsistencies.
! "My aunt begged that we should dine
I 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 o'clock The
! friend she has gone to see is very ill-in
fact dying-and Aunt Lizzie will proba
bly, stay until all is oyer"
"Aunt LizzicY' l thought. elias she
| discarded the name of Rose?'
l remembered. however, that her mi
| tials were X. Il. W.
The dinner was charming. My appetite
was good. | never had dyspepsia in my
life, and I ate the luxuriant food, so
daintiIy prepared with an enjoyment that
| must have been quite amusing TO my
companion.
About an hour after we had sat down,
! while we were csurcly partaking of our
dessert and discussing the rights of wo-
men, the butler handed note to my Wis
avis. After asking me to excuse him he
opened and read.
The look of surprise and CONSERVATION
in his face was simply appalling.
HAS anything happened to your
nuntw timidly inquired, feeling uncom-
Portable under the scrutinizing gaze of
his dark gray eyes.
"No. no-that is, nothing of Importance
but do not think she will be back to-
night But. Miss Rose-your name is
Miss Rose, is it not?'
l put down the orange l was pcelng
and looked the amazement l felt.
"My name is Miss Rose Terry" I re-
piled, with as much dignity as could as
sumo.
"Yes-certainly-I beg your pardon
but Miss Kcse-Miss Terry, l mean-you
will make yourself comfortable for the
night--until my aunt returns, should
say"
His confusion seemed very strange aft
cr his late self possession, but attributing
it all to the contents of the note-alas,
did not then dream of the information it
contained!-I cndeavorcd 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 principal
subjects Of conversation during the few
hours l passed with Mrs. Wharton's
nephew and so pleasant and agreeable
did he prove that l began to like him
very much and quite forgot my embar-
rassmcnt at remaining so long alone with
q stranger.
AT breakfast next morning we chattcd
away like old friends, but when the meal
was over my companion asked me to
walk into the library for Il few moments.
l complied with the request, made rath-
err gravcly, feeling n sensation pass
through me that something was going to
happen.
please be seated, Miss Terry" he be-
gan. 81 regret that am obliged to ex-
plain very strange mistake, and l beg
your pardon for keeping you in ignorance
through last evening; but, believe me,
did so only because wished you to have
pleasant and comfortable rest after
your long journey"
could say nothing to this preparatory |
speech, for my heart was throbbing 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 commissioned me r
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 accosting you. The note
received last evening apprised me Of my |
error, for in 1t Aunt Lizzie informed Inc
that Miss Rose, learning of the illness of
Mrs. Talmagc, had arrived by an earlier
train and gone directly to the house OF
Mrs. Talmage 80 that she might see her
friend once more while alive. If you will
accept my apologies for causing you this
Inconvenience and delay in your plans,
will be truly grateful for your forbear
ance and will do all in my power to recti
fy my mistake as speedily as possible"
What could say? He was SO sincere.
ly 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
Il will deliver you safely into he
hands. Miss Terry" he interrupted, "and
will Immediately order the carriage. Blu,
first must thank you for your goodness
In 80 readily granting pardon for my in
advertence."
When we arrived at Mrs. Rose Whnr
toms door, he turned to me, and, taking +
my hand, said:
"AIiss Terry, you have shown me great ,
mercy. Will you add to your favors one
more kindness and grant me permission {
to call this evening and renew the ac
Quaintance which. although commenced
under such untoward circumstances, has
yet afforded me much happiness
The look which accompanied these
words was so besceching that my heart
yielded and ! murmured an almost in.