Year: 1869




acter."


1t contained no signature, but there was
no mistaking from whom 1t had come.


l gazed at it in a staIe Of petrifaction,
and slowly re-read it That something
had occurred to degrade me in the young
ladv's esteem was quite evident.


But did not feel guilty of any particu-
lar crime, and under sense of injury |
began to feel indignant.


believe, however, that curiosity was
Just then a stronger feeling than rage in
my bosom.


| tried to imagine what could have eff
fected the wonderful revolution in nay
Mary's feelings towards me. Could it he
that she had learned of my conduct the
night before?


L soon dismissed that thought I had
not been intoxicated, nor did | feel that |
had done anything To deserve TO lose the
title of gentleman This last was what
CALLED ne most in the note, by the-by.


Then Of a sudden the idea was force
upon me that l had probably mis- directed
the notes, and sent to Miss Stubs the
one intended for my friend Johnson, de-
clining to attend his ball The second
note which l had received still lay upon
my desk unopened, and, with r vague idea
that it might contain some solution Of the
mystery, tore it open.


/ will also present it word for word,
merely, emitting the date: ~


"You're brick, old boy, you are And
can't you hoist out the big words when
you want to? No, guess not. If didn't
know you l wouldn't know how to take
your letter But me and Stokes had p
good laugh over it. say, though, we're
badly put out that you can't come to our
shake up, for it'll be gay, you bet. Your
little company amt a going to keep up
longer than twelve, and we won't be more
than fairly agoing then. So you come
anyhow, after seeing your gal home. Now
don't tail, for we'll look for you"


1t was, as l expected, reply to my
other note. | believe it impressed but one
fact upon me; and that was that the writer
had received my note 6ecliring to attend,
consequently tie two letters hal not been
misdirected.


started for supper both disheartened
and puzzled could not understand why
Mary Stubbs should resort to such a man
ner of discarding me, if such were her in
tention. That l had not given her any
cause for the strong language she had been
guilty of was now assured.


| tried to muster up indignation against
her. But while fully acknowledging that
| had every cause for anger, fear | made
a rather forlorn attempt towards it. was
too fond of the girl for any other feeling
than a blue" one.


L think that my supper must have given
me courage, for after finishing it, and dress
ing, came to the conclusion that | would
call upon my charmer, and demand an ex-
planation.


did so. The door was Shut in my
face


| went home and wrote note, in which
| challenged her to show cause for her
conduct-asserted that had done moth
ing to deserve such treatment, and insin-
uated that she must be aboring under
some strange mistake in regard to me.
believe was somewhat inclined to pathos
at the close.


The epistle came back to me unopened !


Then | think | did manage To muster
up little anger, and, with blue inter
walls, / existed so "a not to attract remark
for few weeks ! kept myself pretty
closely housed, however, for | do not
scruple to acknowledge that the blow was
a severe one on me.


| suppose a month or more had gone by
when, one evening, just before was about
to leave for home, Tom Johnson dropped
into the office to see me. He will be re-
membered as the young man to whom the
second note had been sent.


Mr.. Johnson ratified on for awhile about
his party, and how much fun had missed
by not attending. Then he changed the
subject q trifle by talking of my note TO
him, which ne said had just written to
puzzle him. | explained that had writ
ten it under difficulties, and with no in
tention of a joke.


We'll" was the reply, off you were a
little set up that explains it. But you
just read it yourself, and see if it don't
sound little queer.


And suiting the action to the word, he
produced my note, little bethumbed,
from his pocket, and passed it to me.


Imagine my astonishment and con-
sternation when these lines met my gaze


INA CHERE.-Words can lily depict
the ecstatic emotions which filled me upon
the reception of your delightful note of
invitation. For the party itself | care
nothing the pleasure TO me is to know
that you think of me-that can again be
near you.


And now old hummer, you'll have TO
do your foot shaking without me. Sorry,
but piece of calico has got me booked
for little private affair, which | must
attend. Go in, old boy, and enjoy your
self; shall certainly grieve myself thin
that / can't be with you"


| saw at glarce what had occurred.
The first paragraph above quoted occupied
the first page of the note intended for
Miss Mary. My friend, who had been
drying the notes for me, had evidently, in
spirit of mischief, substituted the one
for the other, so that had completed the
note to her on the sheet intended for Tom
Johnson, and gice UersQ


When | reflected on the free and easy
style in which l had begun the note to
that individual was horror stricken.


/ could no longer wonder at her indig-
nation towards me, or deem it causeless.


1t may probably have struck the reader
all through this narration that my man
ner has not been that of heart broken
lover. do not feel particularly depressed
at this writing, and for several reasons.


/ have no doubt at all that the girl still
loves me. / know that l am unchanged


We are now separated by an unfOrtu-
nate-some call it laughable error.
think this can be cleared up. l am al
work now to do so.


have written full explanation of the
matter. This | could not mail to her, fol
she will not open letter from me.
soon bethought me of another plan.


| called on her bosom friend. Annie
Hirst, last night She was cool" To me
but she did not quite go TO the length o
shutting the door in my face.


took no notice of her manner; / pro
ceeded to business at once | made full