The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-26

SAV hpuutSh ~ lu NtIu ulihuBSu lpI tue
better; he was more like herself. He
had "done society and kheS nil
about It, He could pay IN silly compli-
ments TO smirkins misses as the next
fellow, mud then lnngh in his sleeve to
think what fools he and 1.-THE npSl fel-
low" both were. He could oifera more
subtle flattety 10 women not too wise TO
be flattered land what woman, or man
either, is p but wise enough 10 wish 10
be esteemed for something more lasting
than eyanescent physical charms.
He seemed 10 have forgotten his
QuiSotio. notions about "reform," TN
less he expected to mako q reform in
politics. Margaret wondered il her re-
tusal had had anything to do with
dAmpihg the glowing enthusiasm he
had brought back from college,. Some
Of it must yet remain with him, for he
was q hard worker In his profession,
and old Squire Horton had once told
her that there was not 4 better lawyer
of his age in tht commonwealth.
Her rejection had not made him her
enemy anyway. She %ns glnd Of that
for when lle would consent to be serious
and not chnif her over her conquests,
and hail her rs Queen Margaret, he
WIS the most interesting man she knew.
He was well read, and had imperceph-
bly, led hef into the enjoyment Of high.
or literature than she had oncc cared
for, and helped to cultivate her taste in
mnny ways.
Hc seemed to value her opinions, too.
He told her once that when she grew
tired OF ruling puppets, shu might,
with her pen instead OF her fan for y
scopter, rule men and women.
She wondered II he meant It. She
was half disposed to try it, She was
tired enough Of ruling puppets, and
longed for newer and better worlds 10
conquer. She was twenty-five now,
and the Dead Sea fruits of six Seasons"
had turncd to ashes on her lips. 1twas
dry as dust, and she was weary OF II.
Suppose she lad married Ralph, she
thought, would 1t have been better? ?
She thought not. She certainly would
not have had such nm opportunity to
sound mere cOnyentionality to its shall
low depths, and would not have felt her
present aspirations for something high
er and more enduring.
Sitting thus, musing, sho did not
notice that tho object OF her thoughts
stood before her, until his shadow fell
upon her face.
She looked up startled, and for mos
ment flushed with confusion.
"Hail 10 the Queenl" was his saluta-
ton. "Was ever queen before who
made subjects but to turn them adrift?"
His tone and manner grated harshly
OH her present feelings, and she made
no answer.
"Haye you inscribed yournewyictory
on your banner" he asked?
"I do not understand you, SIR" she
answered haughtily.
"You don't, ayel We'll, that is funny.
Do you suppose 1 am not familiar enoug
with your archery to know when the
animal Inns been struck? Come now,
Miss Margaret, don't play:the innocent
with me. Imot young Carson going
down the hill, and one glance showed
what was the matter with him
Tho King Of France with forty thousand men
Went up the hill and 80 came down again.
"what, still SILENT Come, don't take
il to heart. 'Whylet the stricken deer
go weep, it will do him good and make
a man OF him. Don't mar your victory
by mourning over the wounded
"ATr. Wentworth, you shall not speak
in that manner to me, MS though were
one OF the professional coquettes, who
lead men on and then trample on their
affections for idle, wicked amusement;
1 had right TO expect better opinion
from you. II you have not enough re-
spect for mo to refrain from uttering
such thoughts, have at least enough
self.rcspect not o stay and listen to
them!" saying which Margaret swept
away with the mien OF an offended god
dess.
Ralph was struck dumb with aston
ishment. He had been chatting her for
years about her conquests, why should
She flare mp so nowP He watched her
as she went down the hill, and then
lighted n cigar and sat down on the
bench she had Just Quilted to think the
matter over.
"Angry because I think her 1irt,"
he growled TO himself. "Humphl II
she cuts all her friends who entertain
that opinion she will have slim reti-
nue. Has she Alright to expect better
Of me. The deuce she hasl Was Inot
her first victim2 But, then, l must say
she did not have to try any to secure
me, and so far as I've observed, she
hasn't lured any Of the otheriellows oil.
They fell in as naturally rs l did, and
most Of them seem to have got out in
better condition, for they've got mar
ried, while I've felt no further inclina-
ton that way since the first desire was
SO uncercmoniously nipped."
"Had q right to expect better opin-
ion from me-" he thought "Well,
that's SO, by George, SO she had. And
I'll tell her so. / can't afford to have
her angry. Who in thunder would l
have TO talk TO? l couldn't get along
without her. Suppose / must some
day, however, for she certainly won't
keep up this refusing business forever.
"Had right to expect a better opin-
ion from me. Well, she must care
enough about my good opinion to make
II a matter Of speculation, anyway, may
be after all
"But pShawl I'm done with that.
I've played the stricken deer once and
dnn,t lika lhe chnrnctarD
And impatiently flinging away his
cigar to emphasize the conclusion
Ralph went 10 find diversion for his
mind by occupying his hands in gather.
ing up the croluet implements before
II was dark. ShouldoriHg them he