The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-06-28
A
Natural
Mistake
By Margaret Taylor.
ss.52sSg1 9z%YSg IgSSO

down to the silver wedding h
bought the ring. He found Eliza
beth's mother on the porch, flushe,
and heated, withal happy with prep
arations for her own wedding" Sh
was immensely glad to see hin
Waved him to chair, famed herseI
with her apron and Intercepted.
so you're here-at last. It's tw
years isn't it, since you've bee
homer"
Howard admitted that 1t wa
Mother and father, you know" h
explained, had John-and they'v
been up to the city-to see me. But,
he laughed roguishly, 81 couldn
keep away from your wedding.
just had to come down for that"
you must have known-boy-"
trifing moisture clouded Elizabeth
mothers vision as she rose, "whf
I've always wanted. If I'd pickle
out the tray myself, couldn't hav
done better. And solid" words faile,
her.
Howard turned back, TREMENDOUSLY
ooh, that's all right" he said, kind
ly. 81 knew you'd like it. Mother
selected it. And 1 could afford it
now" with conscious pride about
the raise in salary that had made it
possible for him to seek Elizabeth
now.
Then he said goodbye and went
down the road. He knew where he
would find Elizabeth. They had met
too often under the old chestnut tree
for him not to know. Dense foliage
screened the meeting place. And as
he came near he heard voices. He
stopped, listened. One Of them was
Elizabeth's. The other-it was John
his brother. Dear fellow. He had
not been up to the house, yet. Went
straight to Elizabeth's from the train.
A little crease of disappointment
crossed his brow. He would rather
have seen her alone. He advanced
cautiously. Through an aperture he
saw without being seen. His brother
held the hand, unresisting, of Eliza
beth-his Elizabeth-and, as he
paused, petrifed, he heard him say,
when we are married"
It was enough. He turned and fed
incontinently. So-this was what he
had come down for. This was what
he had waited and schemed and
planned for Yes-and worked and
succeeded for!
Setting his lips grimly he went
home, saw the folks and made ready
for the evenings festivities. And by
evening he had scourged himself into
proper state of remuneration
Wherein he gave Elizabeth to John.
because he loved them both. Forget
ting in his supreme self-sacrifice
that it was mostly because he must
1t was bitter. 1t hurt. He was go
ing back in the morning and, for
their wedding, he wouldn't come
down. 1t was too much to ask OF
ones self.
He would go away. Leave them to
their happiness. Outwardly he was
the same, to them, both And, late
in the evening, he found himself
paired off with Elizabeth. Found
himself telling her all about how he
had made good in the city. And
heard her asking him, trifie visit
fully, land you'll live up there-al-
ways-and get married, and-be
happy"
His heart turned over, with great
pain. But with an effort, he replied,
in her own bantering vein, ooh, I
suppose So" carelessly. tits the
way of life. And-you!" he couldn't
look at her, just then. The pretty
diamond he had brought for her,
was burning a hole in his pocket just
over his heart. you will stay down
here-and be married too"
Elizabeth gave him funny little
look. And-just at that instant
somebody touched his arm. "How-
ard, old man" It was Brother John.
And there was a girl with him. A
girl he had never seen.
Let me present my fanceeJ Madge
Webster" John was saying. The dia-
mond~burned way through then and
set ais heart to dancing madly. He
managed to be courteous till they
went. Then he looked at Elizabeth
one deep, long look.
What" he demanded, "did the
scene I witnessed this afternoon
mean% and he told her. Elizabeth
laughed, a delicious, ripping laugh
he had thought never to hear again.
Then she answered.
John was telling me Of his en-
gagement," she informed, "and, as
we have always been so intimate.
he was holding my hand-quite
thoughtlessly," she added. Then the