The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-03-24

I
people do, and offended those who had
sense enoughte veil theirs more close
~.
aBen. was constantly his companion
and SO we fell apart; not that cared
less for him, but that felt that he did
not care so much for me. Soon also
I found that Grace and Rose were in
measure parted from me. I often
found them absent from home, driving
or rowing, or at some place of amuse-
meDt with Ben. and his cousin.
There was some talk at our place
about Ben. Prudent old clerks shook
their heads, and said that he drank too
much. Others asked whether it were
true that Miss Grace Claussen had en-
gagged heaself to him. / used to reply
that was not Miss Claussen's confes-
sor, but the question wounded me as
the stab of knife might. l now be-
lieve that she had given Ben. her love
and though did not wonder at it,
for / knew how superior Ben. was in
appearance and manner to myself, ]
had fancied once she liked me best.
AT last resolved to ask him the ques-
ton, and if it were true that he had
won her heart, to do my best to forget
her, or at least to endeavor to hide my
heart from her forever. @
"I never shall forget the moment. /
had met him on his way toward her
house. He was dressed for some
evening entertainment and had a boz
quet in his hand, and supposed he
intended to present it to her.
Is" As ] talked to him he looked down
upon it with his black lashes sweeping
his crimson cheek, and the dimples
coming and going at the corner of his
mouth. At last said:
Ben, they say you are to marry
Grace. Is it true ?'
He looked at me then in startled
sort of way. $50 I5577=
"Jack," he cried ayou-you wouldn't
mind much if it were So"
Is it SO, then ?'' asked.
hope So" he said. "She hasn't
said no."
"God bless you both," I said and
I meant that from my soul.
You are the best fellow that ever
lived" said Ben. -.4
/ "But was not. I could not be
heartily glad that my dearest friend
had won the sweetest girl in the world
1 away from me. could only promise
| myself that would never let either of
them know how l suffered. shook
hands with Ben, and went away"
!. / thought then that l must die
soon, but Ihad not learned how much
a man can live through. The months
passed on drearily enough, but was
no more likely to die than had been.
worked hard, and was spoken of as a
steady young man who would do well,
by the old clerks of the store. Oh
Ben. they began to speak doubtfully.
He spent too much money, and had
been led into wild ways by his English
tcousin, they said. But the talk could
scarcely have reached the ears of old
Mr.. Claussen, or if it had, he gave NO
credit to it, for when the first snow lay
on the ground heard that Grace and
Benjamin were to be married in tort
night. thought that should feel no
worse for the news; but l did. The
whole room, desks and packages and
clerks and all, began to swim before
me. I heard noise like the roaring
of the sea, and knew that if l did not
get away should have tainted away
when he heard that Grace Claussen
| had Tilted him. got to my feet and
walked out of the room pretty steadily
went straight up to the loft where
packages were stored, and there sat
down on one, and knew no more
about it.
That was at five o'clock. An hour
after came to myself, and found that
I was alone in the building. Every
one had gone for the night, and the
doors were locked, and I might have
made what noise chose without be.
ing heard outside. 1t was not pleasant
but after all, no harm was done. ]
could make myself comfortable for the
night in Mr.. Claussen's Office, where
beside the great safe and the preten.
tious desk, all pigeon-holes and draw.
ers, stood great armchair and very
cosy sofa.
"Thither I went, and ON the sofa
threw myself down, and soon slep
soundly. 1 drempt of Grace, as had
every night for long time. l dremp
that she came to me in tears an6
kissed me. The touch of her lips IL
, my dreams seemed to awaken me.
startled to a sitting posture, and lis
tened. 5
There was sound below-a little
grating sound, stealthy, yet sharp. Ii
: moment more heard a door oper
and shut, and step on the stairs. TIL,
l. truth flashed upon me-burglars hat
entered the building. had no. wea
| pom with me. I did not know how
2 many were approaching, and l hat
. never boasted of any peculiar strength
OF prowess. I certainly would no
, have admitted myself to be a coward
but l had no thirst for an unequa
8 combat. 1 determined to conceal my
self until had discovered with whom
s l had to deal, and drew back into tn,
t shadow of projecting window, witt
: my eyes fixed on the door.
}, " At this, in a moment more figur
e entered-tall, broad-shouldered, erec
8 gantlemanly. So much the moonligh
8 told me, as it fell through the window
q nonoc Tho finuro l.nl,;,,rr &, -. ;I:o ,