Amador ledger., 1904-04-08
Murna'S
Mistake
By Martha
McCullo o ch -WilliamS
Copyright, 1908, bp 7. @. Mcclure
Copyright, 1903. bp 7. @. Mcclure


to reach his uncle's house With the
words came handful of rose petals,
crumpled, damp and deliciously fra
grant. 1t had rained all day. clearing
just before sundown. The rain had
kept him prisoner at the inn, three
Briarlaw early in the morning instead
of thus upon the edge of dusk. The
rain had sent the creek all out of its
banks. Thus he was coming to his
journeys end afoot rather than behind
his prancing blacks. The footbridge
defied the flood. That for carriages
was swinging perilously in the rush
ing water. He could not rest until he
had seen his uncle. Something had to
be settled out of hand-something vi
tai to his whole future.
He looked about him. The dusking
greenery betrayed no human presence,
but the mocking voice went on: You're
a fine fellow! Upon my word if you
had kept me waiting five minutes Ion
ger 1 should have marched straight
back and said to my pastors and mas
ters, Please, sirs, I'm good now; quite
ready to marry Mr.. John Trevor
"Oh, say! Hold on. You-you must
be Miss e-Marna-of whom I've
heard, and I'm John Trevor" that gen
tleman interrupted, his face scarlet
The shrubbery at the right trembled
violently, then out Of 1t burst the very
irl hn rr-1,n
said, her eyes blazing: "And you have
come here to marry me! Well, I can
tell you now I had rather die than be
your wifer'
Lets shake hands," John said jo-
vially. at appears we're in exactly
the same boat 1 have got to see my
Uncle John and be off, because the
dearest girl in the world will be
whisked away to Europe. clean out of
reach, unless I can manage to marry
her all in a wink
''Oh, how jolly" Marina cried, giving
him both her hands. eff you'll only
run away can wait and have a church
wedding with bridesmaids and flower
girls and everything. 1t would be hor-
rible to miss them, but there seemed
nothing else to do, so Billy Martin and
1 have everything all ready. Come!
We won't wait for him any longer l
dare say he is water bound, but he
ought to have swum the creek. consid-
ering. Don't you think soF'
Undoubtedly. 1 am sure he don't
deserve you, letting such little thing
hinder him." Trevor said, still holding
her hands. "You mistook me for him,
SO we must look a little bit alike. But
1 disown the likeness. You would not
have had to wait for me, not if the
stars had fallen"
"Ahem! Suppose that other girl heard
you now2" Marina said wickedly, her
lids lowered, a naive smile lurking
about her lips. John pressed her hand
and drew it upon his arm, saying only
Keep close to me. The path is narrow,
and 1 mustn't let you get wet" But
Marina appeared TO feel sufficiently an
sWered. She smiled more winsomely
than ever at him and said as they came
out in the clear lawn, Cousin John
we are cousins, you know; your uncle
$ my stepfather as well as guardian
will you do something for my asking
and not misunderstood"
Certainly" Trevor said, smiling him
self. Marina was silent for three breaths,
then said hurriedly: Don't say any
thing about anything until morning
Poor Papa Trevor doesn't sleep we'll at
the best of times. He has been worry
ing all day about your delayed arrival,
and If you let him know the upsetting
of his most cherished plans he won't
get wink tonight and will be crosser
than two bears tomorrow"
docs he know about Billy Martini"
Trevor demanded. Marna looked at
him, amazed.
"Oh, dear, noP' she said. "If he had
known, why, shouldn't have been out
there waiting. Papa Trevor has a hab-
1t Of having his own way
'1t's family trait" Trevor inter
rupted, stealing an arm about Marna
and kissing her cheek. She brushed
away the caress as though it were some
slight annoying insect and went on:
HE couldn't have known, because, you
see, I did not really know myself until
yesterday, after your telegram came.
Then-well, it was any port in storm
with me. l don't really, truly care
about Billy, but do love my own way
as well as though my name were Ire
vor'-
81 see. But was Billy Hobson's
choice?" Trevor interrupted wickedly.
Marina frowned at him, saying: THE
ideal Now you are horrid. 1 have
dozen beaux, but it happened Billy
was the only one right on the spot.
And you'll admit there wasn't much
time for planning when Papa Trevor
shouted out to me: Marina, telephone
for the rector and the wedding cake
day after tomorrow. Is there any,
thing else needed? John gets here in
the morning, and you had better go
to packing your trunks. I mean he
shall take you abroad There you'll
have chance Of getting fairly ac-
quainted with each other.'"
HIN! That was a close CALL Did
you packf" Trevor asked, his eyes
twinkling. Marina tossed her head the
least bit as she answered: "Of course.
Packed everything, just as if I knew
] was going to die. Mamma would
have trouble enough over my going
without having that on her hands. Be.
sides there are such loads of pretty
things. Papa Trevor has been a real
fairy godfather ever since he took
notion to marry us off this way. 1