The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-02-11

luVestfSdtlOEs H. Inc truth Is, MISS
Stone, l am very much interested in
this failure, aud Mr.. Bently can find
out all about it for me. But don't
| like to ask him TO do SO much for a
complete Stranger
Margaret looked doubtful still, but
size wrote the letter, and took it to
the city next day. .s.au
Ross Bently grew slightly pale as
| he read.
suppose that you know that the
bulk OF Miss Stones fortune was in
the hands of Clark, Vernon & Co., l
carelessly observed.
Il was not aware of it, he said, los
ing another shade of color.
'Oh. well, it was, Can anything be
saved out of the crash, do you sup
pose" ...s..... .........-....
Not anything. am very sure he
stammered. And thinking he might
like to mediate upon the aspect of af-
fairs, took my departure, saying that
l would call before Iwent away again
to take any message he might like to
send. '-''-- ~
When called next day he gave me
a letter to Margaret, but he looked
anywhere but at me as took it.
caught glimpse of Margaret's
blue dress on tn piazza as we drove up
! to the hotel, and without waiting to
go to my room first, L fastened to
give her the letter. l' a.i --a tai
Then, much as I would liked to have
staid until she read it, L had no excuse
for SO doing, and therefore left
her. waited with some curiosity
for her appearance at dinner time, but
she did not come at all. ate nothing
myself, and spent the evening pacing
the piazza watching her window. But
not SO much as shadow of watched
for crossed my vision. tf,a
Remembering Bently's face as he
gave me that letter could have i'm
agined that he had written something
unpleasant f; but even was not pre-
Jared for the contents of the nissive
Margaret placed in my hands the fol-
lowing morning, coming suddenly
upon me where lounged on the
shore. .e. .5=Hr .a vFf-
Il suppose this is what you went to
town for?' she said with an angry
scorn under which 1 quailed, for ]
felt guilty as read winched again.
The scoundrel! A more dissraceful
epistle never persued. If Margaret
had loved him ever so dearly, this
certainly would have ended it. He
dissolved the engagement without SO
much as saying, 'by your leave lie
did, indeed, say something about
fastening to speak while there was
vet uncertainty as to now seriously
the failure mad involved other people.
But that was the merest gloss, and
only gave a cIueFto the seillshz reasons
for this extraordinary conduct.
l folded the letter and gaye it back
10 her without remark. la
'Well,' she asked, Have you really
nothing to sAy?'
Shall challenge him to mortal
combat with horsewhips p asked.
Tears of anger sparkled in her eyes.
.How could you humiliate me SO p
she said haughtily.
Il? Miss Stone!' ..a.-
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Gurney.'
'And beg yours, Miss Stone for
meddling. 1 suspected Bently, but
not anything so cold blooded. Shall
you break your heart about such a
selfish fellow?'
Indeed no! but 1 am very angry
at whom him OF me3'
sAt both of you.'
suppose l must have looked terri
bly, abashed and confounded; tried
to for she put little hand on my arm,
and then would have swiftly with
drawn it, but captured the frail thing
and held it.
Il suppose 1 ought to be very thank
full to you,' she said struggling little
and blushing in the most lovely man.
ner. -' it.> --t't
If you will permit me l will punish
him for you,' l said graYely. T... -7
She looked up inquiringIy. 'r.e
BY marrying YOU ri.ir l4#@- l-
sOhv al-
Don't you think it would p asked.
Perhaps
We were quite sure of it the first
time we chanced to meet Bently after
our marriage. His face was as. good
as a picture.