MISS HARDING'S MISTAKE Miss Rachel Harding kept on her way to Washington Park.

It was less than a mile from her brother's house, and though she walked slowly, she got there a quarter of an hour before the time.
She sat down on a seat near the center of the park, and began to look around her.

Poor Rachel! her heart beat quicker than it had done for thirty years, as she realized that she was about to meet one who wished to make her his wife.
"I hope he won't be late," she murmured to herself, and she felt of the blue ribbon to make sure that she had not forgotten it.
Meanwhile Jack reached the park, and from a distance surveyed with satisfaction the evident nervousness of his aunt.
"Ain't it rich ?" he whispered to himself.
Rachel looked anxiously for the gentleman with the red rose pinned to his coat.
She had to wait ten minutes.

At last he came, but as he neared her seat, Rachel felt like sinking into the earth with mortification when she recognized in the wearer a stalwart negro.

She hoped that it was a mere chance coincidence, but he approached her, and raising his hat respectfully, said: "Are you Miss Harding ?" "What if I am ?" she demanded, sharply.