The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-09-11
A Double
Mistake
By SARAH BAXTER

| IN q black uniform, white apron ana
dainty cap TO Miss Angela Rivers, whs
was standing before q mirror In her
dressing room.
'Tell him I'll be down directly"
| The visit was not unexpected. Miss
Rivers mother, a widow, had some
time before written her daughter that
she had decided to marry again; that
her flance was not by any means an old
man. but full Of life and spirits. He
would be useful TO them both. His
name was Roger PopenJoy. and he
was quite well of. The mother. who
was not given to long letters, deemed
this quite a sufficient explanation for
the present and closed by saying that
Mr.. Popenjoy would be In the city
where they lived and would can that
very day to make the daughters ac-
Quaintance.
When her toilet had been satisfac-
torily arranged Miss Rivers went down
| stairs to meet her future stepfather.
She was surprised to see man about
thirty years old and with all the airs
and graces Of man OF the world Her
mother was only forty, but Angela
never dreamed that she would marry
a man ten years younger than herself.
However. good breeding required that
she show neither surprise. disappoint-
ment nor any other emotion. She ad-
vanced. extending her hand graciously.
mamma wrote me that you would
call today"
"Indeed. expected to call soon. but
was not aware that there was any
especial appointment as to the date"
"Have you been I'm the city longr
~Oh. yes. live here"
Miss Rivers was surprised at this.
She supposed that her mother had met
her second fate in the city where she
was visiting The young Indy would
have liked to ask how long he had
lived In the city Of her home and why
she had not met him I'm society, but
this would have been to imply that he
was not Of the select social circle, the
social circle TO which the Riverses
belonged.
"Tve been living here only month";"
he said. II came here to 60 into bust
ness"
I'm 30 short time you could not
have made many acQuaintances.
shall have the pleasure Of introducing
you TO some Of my friends"
'Thank you very much"
"Of courBe. considering the relation
ship, we shall have a great deal OF
freedom In going about together. We
won't need chaperon."
"Not at ALL
''Only I wouldn't like mother TO be
Jealous" This was said archly and
with smile
I "rm more afraid OF father a. to
that"
"Fatherr'
Eyes, father" looking at her with
surprise.
"How old Is your father7"
How old is my father3 Haven't
you been told how old he isf Why.
he's nfty-nve."
II confess haven't heard anything
about him."
'"That's siDgular. should have
thought he would have told you sv-
srything."
II haven't ever seen him"
The young man looked at her with
opening eyes
what kind Of q match do you call
this. anywayr he asked presently.
Il think 1t a very good match. 50
long as mamma is pleased am"
"Oh, your mothers consent was nee
essary. or course II was. How stu
pid Of mer'
II should think II was"
J At this moment there was n ring nc
the doorbell. The maid answered the
summons and preceded a visitor into
the drawing room, at the same time
bearing q card on q salver. Miss Riv-
ers took II up and looked at IL won
deringiy. On II was the name "Mr.
Roger popenjoy." While she was still
staring at 1t an elderly gentleman en-.
tered.
Morning. father" remarked the Mr..
Popenjoy. who had been announced
earlier.
Morning, my boy. Happy to and
you here. Present me to-
"Your 6anceel How can that be nsc-
essaryT
Miss Rivers looked on and listened
with Amusement The last conner ad-
vanced toward her with outstretched
hand and said cheerily:
~Your mother wrote you, believe.
that I would call"
Miss Rivers looked from one to the
other Of the two gentlemen for some
moments before replying
mamma wrote me that her 6ancs.
Mr.. Popenjoy. would call, but she did
not say thnt there were two iances.
Can II be that mamma has forgotten
she is no longer of an age TO engage
herself 10 two men ~ the same timer
Dad" cried the younger man. didn't
you write me 10 call on your hancee.
Miss Riyersr'
'T asked you 10 rail on my 6ancee.
Mrs. Rivers"
81 seer exclaimed Angela TO tho
| elder Popenioy "You are 10 be my