Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1903-07-17
A Happy Mistake.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


back, her curly brown head. little on
one side, as though it were considering
weighty subject, what would you
do, do you think, II you were to re-
ceive two offers by the same post, and
you didn't like one any better than
the other-the people who sent them,
| mean?"
Il cannot-if you refer to proposals
of marriage cannot at all imagine
such a contingency" replied Miss W.
nor stiff1y, STOPPING over her knitting
to pick up dropped stitch.
Surely, Lettice," continued Miss w.
nor, you do not intend to tell me that
you know of any person of our ac-
quaintance who has compromised her.
self so far?"
well, no, / can't say l do" an
>swered Miss Lettice-which was very
true, in one way, for she certainly did
not mean to tell her aunt anything of
the kind.
Then l think, my dear Lettice, that
you might occupy yourself more pro-
ftably than in making these idle sup
positions" said Miss VynOr.
Eyes, auntie, you're right, as usual.
I'll see if l can't find something bet
ter to do" and Lettuce gladly seized the
opportunity of escape from a conversa-
ton that had seemed in danger of be-
coming too personal.
She ran lightly upstairs to her own
room and, after carefully closing the
door, drew from her pocket two enyel-
opes and settled herself in a chair to
read their contents, not for the first
time
VERY odd they should both have
written, and chosen exactly the same
time" she said to herself softly.
For quite a long time Lettuce sat
with the letters before her, considering,
for she was in serious difficulty.
/ like Humphrey Forde best, do
believe, but he's so grave and 80 quiet,
and somehow-it's too ridiculous-but
sometimes he seems almost afraid of
me! His voice quite trembled once or
twice when he spoke to me the other
day. A man can't be up to much If he's
Hayward; he is dear boy, so bright
and full of fun, and ready to enter into
everything; we are sure to get on we'll
together. And yet-I'm half sorry
She gave a quick little sigh; then
rose, drew together her writing mater
ials, and began to write. Only brief
message on each dainty sheet; it was
all she could muster courage for. On
one she wrote: Come this evening at
T." and addressed the envelope to w.
Haywood, Esq, and on the other, in
hasty, uncertain characters: Forgive
me- oh, do please forgive me, but
cannot
AS footsteps mounted the stairs to-
ward her room she thrust both notes
in the envelopes and hid them hastily.
The next moment her aunt raped at
the door and entered.
II cannot say that / approve" re-
marked Miss Vynor, in her precise
way, .'of the habit that young people
of the present Gay seem to have formed
of spending so much time in their own
apartments In my own young days a
bedroom was bedroom, and was not
intended to be used as sitting room
also; and it appears to me that the
habit is conducive to a great waste of
time, for there seldom seems to be
any visible result from it. / came to
propose that we should walk this
morning. 1t is a pity to waste the best
part of the day indoors, and especially
is it wasted if spent in ones sleeping
apartment"
With the help of the walk and 9TH
er small occupations the hours some
how passed, but never before had a
day seemed SO long to Lettuce Vynor.
At length, however, the afternoon
drew to close and she found herself
alone, her aunt having an invitation to
spend the evening with an old friend.
Perhaps Lettuce had counted on this
when she dispatched her notes in the
morning, but now the time was draw
ing near when the favored lover might
be expected, she would have given a
great deal to be able to delay his visit.
Twenty times did she wish vainly that
she had sent different answer, even
if it had resulted in the loss of both
her friends. Will Haywood as a devot-
ed friend and admirer had been every
thing that was pleasant; but now it
came nearer the idea of Will Haywood
as prospective husband-oh, that was
different affair altogether For she
knew that that was what she had
meant her message TO imply, and he
would be quick so to understand it.
Then as last the doorbell rang. and
Lettuce heard footsteps crossing the
hall. The drawing room door opened
and shut again, but her heart was beat
ing so loudly that she did not hear the
name that had been announced, and
she advanced to meet her visitor with
out raising her eyes from the ground.
The next moment she felt herself
caught in strong pair of arms, and
kisses were being rained upon her
face
My sweetheart-my sweetheart"
mans voice whispered passionately
again and again, as If it would never
tire of that delightful repetition.
But what-what was this? The
room whirled round her eyes closed.
and for moment she could make no
effort to release herself For this man
who held her so masterfully, who was
showering his kisses on her face, and
whispering passionate endearments in
her ear. was net the Will Haywood
she had expected. but Humphrey
Forde! Humphrey the grave. the quiet,
whom she had imagined to he afraid Of
her! Why WA sac hare7 And Why.