Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-02-24
CUPID'S MISTAKE
BY JACK LAYTON.

The girl came, seated upon the back
OF a snOw-whlte horse. down through
an avenue OF stately trees. Her gold
on hair cleaned beneath the close-fit'
ting cap she wore, and her velvet hab
10 seemed Il part of the olden-time pic.
ture she made As Mariana reached
the stone wall which inclosed her Ia
Tiers estate she looked over its top
10 where the sea spanked in the sun
shine And as the clatter of hoofs
came to stop, a young man sprang
nimbly 10 the top Of the wall, and sat
there, gazing at Mariana, all eager-
eyed and smiling.
The young man wore khaki coat
nnd carried beneath his arm man
dolin. unSmiling and serious, the girl
regarded him; but as the breeze lifted
the heavy hair from the young mans
forehead and the engaging wistfglness
OF his cOuntenance still besoueht her,
Mariana came nearer and allowed
him To assist her from the horses back
TO seat beside himself on the wall.
"Oh. princess" the young man said,
enrneslnesS underlying his whimsical
tone, Il have waited long for thee.
Even a poor minstrel may weary in
patience"
Don't, Tommy" the girl cried
sharply. do not remind me of the
pretty game we have been playing.
1t must stop. Everything must stop.
| may not come here 10 meet YOU any
more. II was a reckless joy for Ia to
indulge In. But | was 50 lonely in
my fathers great empty house; Tom
my, YOU cannot know what il has
meant 10 be imprisoned there all ny
life-no companions Of my own age,
only studies for diversion. WHY. the
day | rOde down 10 the end Of this
path and found you here on the wall.
singing remember. Tommy and
picking soft. thrifty notes on your
mandolin, why-it was just Ike riding
straight into fairy story, Tommy t.
n beautiful new adventure. You bowed
and addressed me rs "PrinccsS." ant
when ! asked who You might he, you
replied But a poor minstrel, yom
highness at your service And vhcI
] came again and again To those hap
ny, merry meetings, You confessed
sadly. that ! was "IIighncss" to YOU
because Of my fathers wealth. AnC
YOU admitted that YOU were, in truth
sort of poor minstrel, with a len.
journey To success before you. and
not one earned penny 20 your name
We should have taken warning, boy
dear, 'hat orr delightful game OF
friendship could not last. This is. af.
ter all, a world of values and neccS.
stiles and even If l would give m
my heritage ana 90 away with YOU
Tommy. where and how could You
take me? / am talking fast. dear. be.
cause | wish 10 say what have to say
quickly. and then-goodby. For p
must be gOOdby forever I'll rcmem.
Der always those spring mornings, with
the scent of apple blossoms in tbs
air and YOU bending down over the
wall To talk to me. How | shall hate
apple blossoms Tommy. and the mem
DRY of your songs viii stay with me
10 make me long for YOU. You mustn't
hold my hands. dear need them tC
cover my face while | tell YOU tho
truth: | am "a be married Tommy
and that is why it is goodby. | an
10 marry an old man, selected Tor m,
by ny father before ! had seen youl
face; Kind man of prominence. ui
whom | ann all unworthy. Though
have never learned Your name, dear
nor in the secret joy OF my romance
have ] sought 10 learn it, still you
know the place my father holds in tn,
world of men and the proud place h,
would have me fiji. oh my dear" IN,
girls sweet voice broke utterly I'll
you we're not, indeed, Just strolllni
minstrel you have professed to be. al
the last 7 would have iefed them
Willingly ] would have gone with yOu
10 the humblcSt home. But see: yot
have eXacted no promise from NE
Tommy; You have not asked me {,
wait We bad better shy goodby now
/ shall be married. dear, before thes.
flowers have saded"
The young man looses the girl.
hands only 20 clasp her closely il
his arms.
Listen" 10 said fcrcely, "bcfor,
these flowers fade, YOU will be married
to meme. your strolling minstrel
Why. sooner than see you married tC
that old man. good as he il, I'd carr,
you in my arms straight over the car
den wall. We have met. dear heart
and loved, because il was to be. Cupid
aimed his arrows we'll And If IN.
first one went astray, well, that wa,
his mistake We win 20 to your fa
Their now. Mariana. and tell him all
The girl drew back trembling.
you do net know my father" sh,
whispered, "or MS anger whea frus
trated."
The young man laughed exultantly
as he lifted her down from the wall
THE old fellow whom your father
wished YOU 10 marry is my uncle
dear" he said. 1T was TO please hin
that | became continual student. Sc
that / might fulfil the wish of hi
hort Inv gurpppdfno him I'm roifffcc