The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-09-03

cannot sleep until have unbosomet
myself. Besides I wish your aid, anC
there is no time to loose"
sank back into my seat heart sicl
aud in despair. And this the second
night of my stay!
lie glanced around. and then, low.
eri4g his voice still further, went on
".You know. my dear fellow, wheT
/ married your cousin Tilly there was
but one objection to me-my name
Her parents objected TO her weddin
man by the name of Marmaduke Sky.
lark. Very foolish of them you will
say, still it was the fact. Well, sir, nc
body knew anything worse of me
than that-but, sir, there was some
thing great deal worsel In short,
was flirt, a confirmed fiirt, an out.
rageous fiirt-and, sir, in marrying
'Filly Tilted Nelly. For Tilly Tilted
Mrs. Nelly Blossom, the very finest
woman in the world-after Tilly."
It is needless to say that 1 now felt
considerably relieved. After pause
he resumed:
81 made the deepest kind of love
TO NelIy-had vowed, too, on my
bended knee TO adore her foreyer-
had even written her a dozen of the
widest sort of love-letters. In the
face OF all this, without q word of ex-
planation, [ deliberately became the
husband of lilly l''
felt it my duty to be severe with
Marmaduke for this rakish conduct,
and so L said, sternly:
tThis is very sad businees-very
sad. You have doubtless blighted
that lovely woman's happiness for
live. Possibly in moment of fren-
zied despair she might even seek the
bourne whence no"
"PoohI Humbug! Not she. She
meditates a different course. In short
she is coming here to show the love-
letters 1 wrote to my wile."
"What of that 2" You deserve it
but what of that 2"
HWhat of that !" he echoed, amazed.
ESimply this: Tilly wouldn't live
with me another minute Firm as her
affection for me is, the sight of one of
those disgracefuI missives would pull
Verize it. l should be ruined Sky
lark.-N Nowymy dear friend my fate
is in your hand; you can save me-"
sII"
Undoubtedly you; and that is one
" SAO AOdcOuo VII was ~ duA4OuS
to have you visit me. / said to my
self that you were the man to save
me- | said so, a number of times, and
L say it again.
IrealIy don't see"
"Of course not, but | shall point
out the way. Moreover, l shall re-
ward you magnifcently afterward.-
Ny plan is this. During the week /
expect my sister Bella to pay me a
visit. Now, you and Bella must in
staDtly become the best of friends
and, in fact, don't care if you make
1p your minds to fall desperately in
oYe with each other, Then together
you must confront the widow, and
Dy hook or crook obtain my letters
rom herr
"Bnt what will lilly and you be
loing all this while 2"
lin New York, We start to-mor-
'ow. | have arranged everything
With Tilly, aud she suspects nothing.
By next week you and Bella will have
concerted plan of action. Mrs.
Blossom will appear the letters will
De recovered F; she will go away, and [
md my wife will return"
Sand my reward 2" asked.
.Bella's hand in marriage. She is
lot pretty, but rich and treasure-in
hort, a second edition of myself.
There" he said, shaking nv hand,
"that's liberality itself-and
low promise me"
This was rather a conceited speech
If Marmy's-But | promised. l men,
ally resolved that [ would try and
ret the letters from the widow at any
ate, but whether should accept the
'rofered reward afterward would
lepend on circumstances.
Well, next day, Marmaduke and
rilly went away, leaving me at the
ottage alone, with the exception of
he cook-and | do think / never was
70 dreadfully bored in all my life. ]
nadea a desperate attempt to sleep
way the time, but it failed, and for
he two orsthree following days I was
'bliged to cultivate patience. At
ength, one afternoon late, I deserted
lady on horseback at the gate-a
-ery handsome and dashing lady,
Marmy's sister at Iastl
ran down quickly, helped her to
light, threw her horses bride over
ny arm, and we walked up to the |
Iouse together. felt that had best |
'e as easy in my manner toward my |
as possible. We should |
'et on much better so.
have been waiting your arrival |
cry impatiently," | said.
"Indeedw she said, smiling and |
howing beautiful teeth.
fsY es, Marmy had prepared me to |
xpect you. lie left everything in my
ands until you should come"
"Isn't he here 2" she asked, sur
rised.
"No. Important business called
i'm TO New York. But [ added
ather shyly, "no doubt we can do
Without him. For my part, am not
bit sorry he is out of the way"
She seemed still more surprised and
lso considerably amused at this OBJ
ad determined not to be too bashful
7ith this young lady-because she
eally was something handsome, and
she had all the money Marmy had
redited her with-the reward he
poke of might not be wholly unac-
eptable, after all. In truth, since the
lst few minutes, l had altered my
Jews with regard to the prospective
eward entirely.
don't see how we can do with
ut him." she answered. ''It is GER
linly very odd treatment of me, for
e was perfectly aware that I was
oming."
$50 he was, undoubtedly, and he
I'D me to offer thousand apologies.
aid he, / place my sister in your
barge. When she comes, make her
/ home. Miss Skylark, l shall try
, carry out his wishes, You may
ely on me for that"
Ny patronizing manner must have
1t on me but indifferently well, for
lie young lady's laughter became un-
blushed, and grew
life irritated,
"Oh, I'beg your pardon, am sure"
he apologized, still smiling, Il am
cry foolish to laugh so, Grotesque
leas come into my mind sometimes,
ven in the course of the most serious
Well, depend on you
, make my stay agreeable, SIR"
| certainly put forth my best efforts
} that end. Bella Skvlark proved
~ -. 4 L 4