The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-12-12

same time, thus killing two birds with
one stone.
One day he called, and Rosa came up
to inform me that he was asking for RE
She had been busting the piano, and
heard him. They had told him that ]
was unwell.
l resolved to turn the tables on them,
and went down.
"Good morning. Mr. Wsyne," said,
in my blandest manner, not pretending
to notice the angry looks of Aunt Du-
mont, and the frownine face OF Lucia.
Il wassserry to hear that you were
not well,' he said in his soft and pleas
ant voice.
Il was never better in my lfe," said.
Il don't see how you got the impression
that 1 was sick"
He evidently mstrusted how matters
stohd, and was wisely silent
l couldn't help stealing sly glances at
Lucia, occasionally, for he hardly spoke
to her after came in. l did not try to
keep hin away from her. He devoted
himself to NE Of his own free will I
wondered why. Could it be possible that
he cared for me? 1t would be very
sweet to be loved by some kind, true
heart. Since father died, love had pass
ed me by.
,By-and by he took his departure, and
knew by Aunt Dumont's bristling plume 5
that she was on the war path.
''I am shocked at your bolduess and
effyontery," she began. 'Mr. Wayne has
the same as declared his intention OF
marrying your cousin, Eand you intrude
yourself upon him, and force him to pay
his attentions wholly to you, knowing
that he must neglect Lucia in doing so''
perhaps she wants him herself" said
Lucia scornfully. 81 Shouldn't won.
der"
"1s that ssthe reason why you force
yourself upon his nctice?" demanded
Aunt Dumont. care you really trying
to win him from his allegiance to Lu-
cia ?"i
81 am not trying to win him from his
allegiance to Lucia" l answered with
curling lips. eff he sees fit to talk with
me, it is because he wants to. / have
never tried to catch him for husband y
and | looked at Lucia. She colored, but
tried TO hide her bushes which were OF
such rare occurrence that she ought to
have been proud of them, under a
sneer.
The next day Aunt Dumont and Lu.
cia went out shopping. They had not
been gone long when Bront Wayne
came. l went down to the par!or He
greeted me with a smile, and pleasant
good morning.
Il am sorry, but Lucis ard Aunt Du-
mont are out" j said.
81 am not sorry" he said. 81 knew
they were out. That wns why | call
ed" =.
What else could I think, but that he
called to see me? Indeed his manner
toward me gave no room to doubt. He
was 80 kind, so gentle, so tender. that /
began to love him, # bad not loved
him before.
We sang together, simple, old fashion.
ed songs, but none the worse for that
Before lie rose to go the clock struck
five.
/ have spent very pleasant after
noon," he said. II hope to see you Of
ten in the future"
In the hall he met Auut Dumont and
Lucia
GLOW long has Mr.. Wayne been here ?
asked Aunt Dumoat, coming directly
into the parlor.
1.-TWO or three hours answered 1.
"He asked for us, Of course ?"
"He did not. He said he knew you
were not at home"
81 suppose you thought he came to
see you?" said Lucia with a scornful
laugh.
81 inter from what he said that he
did," I answered quietly.
"Bertha Crawford, l am ashamed OF
you," said Aurt Damont 81 am posi-
lively certain, from what have seen, that
you are trying to win Mr.. Wayne away
from Lucia You are acting base, un-
grateful part. You do not care how
much you wound Lucia's feelings, pro,
vided you carry your. point, shall take
| it upon myself to open Mr.. Wayne's
eyes to the facts Of the case, and show
! him how he has been deceived. He
probably thinks you very artless young
lady, and hasn't an idea how you are
scheming to win him away from the
heart he hiss won.'
"Stop!" / cried, with passion.
Let me speak," said Brent Wayne 5
voice at the door. Excuse me, ladies
but forgot my cane-and coming back
after it, chanced to overhear your con-
versation. Allow me to state, madam,
that my feelings regarding your daughter
are unchanged If have won her heart,
I am truly sorry. 1 have never tried to
And let me say thai l have come here to
see your niece, because [ love her. And
l ask her, nov, to be my wife"
He turned toward me, holding out his
hands. His face was sfull OF love and
tenderness and pity.
Darling, let NE help to make your
life something worth living for" he said.
Trust me, and love me 2"
l put my hands in his, trusting in as
true love as ever filed noble, manly
heart.
Aunt Dumont AMI Lucia were struck
with CONSERVATION. Down went their
air-castles in cloud of smoke. | en-
joyed tlyeir dismay, because it was 80
sudden and complete.
meet them sometimes, but not often.
They have not got into the chest socie-
ty" yet l fear they never will. Lucia
fears she will live and die in single bles-
sedness, and is snXiously looking for
some one to take pity on her.
And l? l am happy and what wo
man could ask more? Aftef all, my
triumph was the triumph of love.
A family of boys in Tennessee, who
are all provided with guns and get their
living by hunting, recently used UP their
percussion caps and couldn't get more.
But they were out Of meat and some
thing must be done SO they tried match
1 u