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

l knew Margaret was engaged, but
told her that 1 loved her. f
Il don't know what you mean sirH
she said, with an expressive lift of the
eyebrows; but the liquid orbs beneath
avoided mine, and that encouraged
me to be saucy in my turn.
st is no consequence if you should,
of course, but didn't imagine that you
were going TO flirt with o fellow all
summer, and go off unsinged yourself?
'Why not?' she laughed. You
don't seem seriously damaged
But am; my heart is shriveled
crisp as wafer
Really? Well 1 don't know what
can be done about it,
Il am going to show you And so
on for half an hour. We spoke jest
ingly, both of us, but the laugh with
each other covered deeper feeling.
She was beautiful, my Margaret,
fond of homage, as what woman is
not and accustomed to receiving il.
1t was not her fault, after all, that l
loved her, but her glory, as an honest
mans love is always a true woman
though had called her flirt.
She was promised in marriage to
Ross BentIy before she ever saw me,
long enough. He had stopped horse
which had been running away with
her, and SO saved her life. When he
asked her to give him what he had
saved; what woman with gratitude,
and whole heart, would not have
said, 'Yes,' IS she did. Besides she
loved him, for aught l knew. had
seen him, and he was handsome
enough to win woman's love, if
beauty would do it.
A handsome couple, but somehow,
seeing the two together, they did not
seem to be fond OF each otherr and SO
I took courage. Certainly Margaret
never looked at Ross Bently, when l
was by as she had looked at me many
time that summer, as we two strolled
along the beach. ....s-. ..
Ross Bently once stayed a week,
and went back to town. He was
man of business, keenly evoted to
money making fonder of that, fan
cicd, than of the beautiful woman he
had won, and upon that imagining /
hung another hope. Margaret was an
heiress. If she had been dover less, l
fancy that Mr.. Bently would never
have woed her. But how to prove it.
Margaret and / did not relapse into
the old fashion of strolling about the
beach by moonlight after Ross Bently
had come and gone, and we stepped
looking and talking nonsense, watch
ing each other furtively. l felt conf
dent that Margaret was wondering if
had an y thing to do with these moods
of pensiveness that would come upon
my dark-eyed queen of late.
One day found her upon the bal
cony, with an open letter in her hand.
Il am very unfortunate girl she
said, glancing at the letter. Did you
know that Clard, Vernon & Co, bank
ers inNew ork, hadfailcd last week ?
Il had heard of it."
The bulk of my fortune was in
their hands at one time. l did not
know but it was still. My guardian
writes TO me that he removed it some
time ago.
came forward eagerly at that, cx-
tending my hand.
Permit me to congratulate you,
Miss Stone
Margaret laughed rather confusedly
as she put her little hand in mine. l
saw that she was surprised at my Gag
erneSs.
Miss Stone,' said 1, did you believe
me when l said that 1 loved you,
somewhere about month ago?'
Margaret colored vividly as she gave
me doubling look.
yes. What of it? Do you want to
take it back now?'
Not l. But, In consideration of
my great affection for you, want you
to do favor for me-
Name il, she said looking puzzled.
I'm going up to New York to-mor-
NOW. VIII you honor me by per-
mitting me to be the bearer of a letter
from yourself TO Mr.. Bently?'
That is an odd request
Il am aware of it. Will YOU write
to Mr.. Bently letter asking him to
inquire into this matter of the bank
failure, and let me know how serious
a business it really is
But don't care about knowing.
Il do
'Why not inquire for yourself.
then?'
HE has SO much better facilities fol