The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-03-22
A TERRIBLE MISTAKE.


certainly say was OF heliOtrOpe color
| There could be no doubt about II at
all. was In luck's way. Chance had
thrown Miss Marian Wilson and my
self together at the very earliest op-
portunlty; and, despite my awful
trembling and vivid bushes, ! re-
solved TO make the best OF my time
on that short journey TO Filey.
As for the lady, naturally, she was
quite at ease. She did not know me,
or that | was her fathers next-door
nclghbor, so TO speak. She looked out
of the window little; read, or pre-
tended TO read, novelette,; and more
than once, caught a quiet, quick
glance OF keen scrutiny directed over
my way. No doubt she was wondering
and specuating as to who her fellow
traveller was!
wanted to make good impression
on Miss Wilson at the beginning. Be
ing at loss how 10 start the conver-
satiOn. IL struck me at last, like
brilliant fash, that the lovely weather
might afford n topic. SO / suggested
that we were having very fine sum-
mer, and that this day in particular
was most delightful. She graciously
answered that II was so. My stars!
you should have heard her voice; how
low and sweet IL was! l became more
and more intoxicated as those blue
eyes beamed down upon me.
We talked Of many things In that
short ride which was rapidly coming
10 its end and ] felt / ought TO say
who | was, and propose AT once, while
undlSturbed-fO already ! was hope
lessy in love with Miss Marian. And
she. | thought, could not be altogether
Indifferent to myself Her convcrsa-
tion, her laughter, her bright flow OF
spirits, all seemed to me-though in
experienced in these things, except
from boOks-to prove that the impress
sion she had formed of me in that
short time was distinctly good AS |
knew that the house Mr.. Wilson had
rcntted was some short distance out
OF the little town, along the coast,
thought that, after all, the best plan
would be to walk on with her toward
would be nice, quiet walk, and |
should doubtless have more time and
opportunity, for the train was already
nearing Filey.
carried out my plan admirably.
Getting out with her at Filcy, | asked
If | might accompany her toward her
destination, which she had casually
stated was "Bricknelds s'-just as | had
| long ago known!-as | was going that
way; and. to my inward delight, for |
had scarcely expected IL, she consent
| ed.
said nothing till we had got well
out of the town-nOthing of pro
posal | mean. Then | began gradu-
ally to speak of love at first sight
"thc pleasure of accidental meetings.
lives flowing placidly together for
ever" and dozen such things ms |
recollcCtcd from my poetic readings.
She listened eagerly, and evidently not
| without much pleasure.
| cannot tell all that | said 20 her
at this distance of time; but | am sure
no young lady was ever more devoted
or freely loved and woocd that sum.
mer than she was on Filcy strand.
As yet she had made no reply. and
we were approaching very near to
"Brick6elds." Round the next jutting
rock and we should be almost at the
path leading TO the gardens. | must
have her answer before we rounded
| that rock. while we were yet alone, un-
seen and unheard She spoke not yet
and. as Il final appeal, on our reaching
| the rock, | took her hands which she
did not withdraw. in mine and, falling
on one knee, in the regular attitude OF
the knights of old. profrered my hand
and my heart, for evcrmore!
81 will make you happy forever, my
love. My life and duty are yours
eternally! DO say the word; do say
yes and make me the happiest fellow
alive. Miss Wilson"
She gave sharp cry, which
brought me TO my feet. Brute that |
am, thought |. have squeezed her
hand too hard As jumped up on the
sand. saw n young lady, with an
amused smile on her face, coming
round the rock. Ii was clear she had
heard. If not seen, all that had passed
But. what struck me most. was her
likeness to this girl had proposed TO
| felt i'm such n queer way that
piuched my leg To see IL | was dream
ing! No. IL was all widc.Cwakc life
And then | heard my charmer's voice
in quiet tones, saying, with some dig
nifty:
You arc mistaken, sir! l am no
Miss Wilson but her cousin. This Is
Miss Wilson coming toward us
looked around again, utterly dazed
Yes. saw II was-my heart told mn
SO! There was great similarity il
the hair and eyes. and somewhat II
height and figure; but l ought To hav
known that the charmer's feature
were not like Miss Wilson's.
II was. | saw at once, huge mis-
take of mine from beginning TO END
| was. as | said Just now. quite dazet
as red as n turkey cock. and ccrtainl
at on utter loss what to do. | wishe
the sea would come NJ and sweep IN
away!
What did do. you ask? I turne
, and fed as fast as could. while sui
dued laughter behind me told me IN
, secret was out have not see
|, Marian Wilson since. though IL is nea
ly year ago. My bashfulness an
I. shame won't let me- In plain Englis
| daren't!
But my aunt. who scolded me we
: FOR my hnnrlinr nssurps me that no