The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1904-04-29
ANQ I'm as
A MISTAKE
BY Martha
McCulloch-W William
Copuriaht, 1905, bn T C. Mcclure
Copyright, 1908, bu TIC. Mcclure

to reach his uncle's house. With the
words came a handful of rose petals,
crumpled, damp and deliciously fra
grant. 1t had rained all day. clearing
just before shutdown. The rain had
kept him prisoner at the inn, three
miles away. He had meant to reach
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 understanding vi
tai to his whole future.
He looked about him. The dusking
greenery betrayed no human presence,
but the hooking voice went on: you're
a fine fellow! Upon my word If you
had kept me waiting five minutes Ion
ger l should have marched straight
back and said to my pastors and mas
L
ready to marry Mr.. John Trevor
"Oh, say! Hold on. You-you must
be Miss Lee-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 it burst the very
prettiest girl he had ever seen, who
said, her eyes blazing: "And you have
come here to marry me! Well, 1 can
tell you now 1 had rather die than be
your wifev'
Lets shake hands," John said TO-
vially. ut 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 q wink
ooh, how jollyv' Marina cried, giving
him both her hands. eff you'll only
run away l can wait and have 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
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 so?'
Undoubtedly. l 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
disown the likeness. You would not
have had to wait for me, not if the
stars had fallen"
"Ahcm! Suppose that other girl heard
you now?" Marina said wickedly, her
lids lowered, a naive smile lurking
about her lips. John pressed her hand
and drew il 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
Is 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,
aud 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. Marina looked ut
him, amazed.
ooh, dear, no." she said. "If he had |
known, why, shouldn't have been out |
there waiting. Papa Trevor has a hab- |
It of having his own way
Its family trait" Trevor inter- |
rupted, stealing an arm about Marina |
and kissing her check. She brushed |
away the caress as though it were some |
slight annoying insect and went on:
He couldn't have known, because, you I,
see, l did not really know myself until |
after your telegram came.
rhen-well, 1t was any port in q storm /
with me. 1 don't really, truly care
about Billy, but do love my own way
rs well as though my name were Ire
vor"-
II see. But was Billy Hobsons
,hoice?" Trevor interrupted wickedly.
Marina frowned at him, saying: "The
dea! Now you are horrid. / have
1 dozen beaux, but it happened Billy,i
was the only one right on the spot
And you'll admit there wasn't much
Tine for planning when Papa Trevor
shouted out to me: Marina, telephone
'or the rector and the wedding cake
lay after tomorrow. Is there any
hing else needed? John gets here in
he morning, and you had better go
% packing your trunks. i mean he
shall take you abroad. There you'll
nave a chance Of getting fairly ac-
luainted with each other'"
HIN! That was q close call. Did
Tou packT Trevor asked. his eyes
Marina tossed her head the
east bit as she answered.: "Of course.
Packed everything, just as if / knew
was going to die. Mamma would
lave trouble enough over my going
without having that ON her hands. Be
lff1ps there ara aflch loado NJ v,rotfu