The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-05-17

had seen with his son at the theater. His
first impulse was to introduce himself
to her; but, on the second thought, he
seated himself in the corner diagonally
opposite, and determined to mark her
demeanor in public, and see how far Miss
Catharine was correct in her judgment
of Johns intended wife.
Perhaps the young lady felt somewhat
Aattered, mistaking Mr.. Kennedy's look
of pleased surprise when entering the
carriage, for one of admiration. Ger
tain it was, that her beautiful eyes were
bent on the handsome elder gentleman
opposite her far more than was consis-
tent with propriety; and equally certain
that he thought her gl4nce rather
coquettish. But whether or not, they
were continued until the attention of
the young lady was attracted by fine
looking young man who entered the car
riage at one of the stations; and having
seated himself without taking any ap-
parent notice of the young lady, she at
tracted his attention by slight cough.
She smiled covertly; she threw him side
long glances; she waved her snowy
handkerchief, after pressing it to her
lips. Meanwhile the young man looked
quietly, scornfully, fxedly at her. Then,
at the next station, he arose and left the
train.
What influence at this moment pos
sessed him-what motive actuated him,
Mr.. Kennedy himself could net have
told. 1t certainly was not wish to par
ticipate in the young woman's evident
enjoyment; neither was it designedly,
for the purpose of proving her further,
that the old gentleman gazed upon her,
and with short, dry cough, applied his
handkerchief to his face, pressed his
hands to his heart, winked inyitingly,
smiled blandly, coughed again, and then
appeared suddenly to have discovered
that he had reached his destination.
With a low bow, he left the carriage; /;
and when he had gained the platform,
his aged cheek dyed with shame; he
glanced backward, and saw the dainty
white handkerchief waving toward him.
Finding his son in the library on his
return, Mr.. Kennedy related the Incl
dents of the afternoon substantially as
we have done, but was careful to conceal
the fact that Floy Wheeler was con-
cerned in them. He merely described
her as a rather pretty, welldressed girl,
no doubt passing in society for lady.
"I pity the man she marries," said
the old gentleman, his countenance be-
traying more profound compassion than
men usually feel for the miseries of i'm
aginary husbands. "That girl will palm
herself off on some unsuspecting fellow,
who'll find out his mistake when it's too
later'
"I don't know about that" replied
John, running his fingers through his
hair with the air of a man personally
unconcerned in the subject. "I doubt
it, sir. These giddy masqueraders gen.
orally betray themselves at one time or
another. Men marry them with eyes
wide open. 1 don't pity them."
Mr.. Kennedy's hand shook as he lifted
the poker to stir the fire, and said,
"Those men throw themselves away.
John"
eyes. 1 don't see how they can do it.
1 wouldn't marry one of those firts, if L
loved her better than ever man loved
women"
"Nor l." said Mr.. Kennedy, with
sigh of relief. "By the way, John, is it
true that you are going to marryf"
eyes, sir, hope to marry Miss Flor
ence Wheeler. 1 have not yet offered
myself, my term of probation not being
ended. Iwant you to see her, father. l
would like you to know her. Can't 1
persuade you to go up there for an hour
this eveningp
eyes, John, Pl go. It's high time 1
became acquainted with my daughter
in-law to be-"
Arrived at Mr.. Wheeler's residence, a
omewhat pretentious house, the father
and son awaited with widely different
feelings the appearance of the young
lady. 1t was some time before she pre-
sented herself; and when she did so she
swept into the room, arrayed in her
sweetest smile and prettiest dress.
Coming from the dimly-lighted hall
into the full blaze'of the chandelier, Floy
could not clearly distinguish features;
and when John, in voice swelling with
pride, introduced her to his father, the
old gentleman said, "No, John, no! This
is the young woman with whom 1 firted
today This is not"
"Father! Floy, for heaven sakeP in
terrupted John, but stopped.
He needed but one glance at her
guilty face. He quietly took his fathers
arm and left the house.
Floy Wheeler is not yet engaged,
neither does she indulge in handkerchief
firtations. If John Kennedy could but
know how changed she is!
PROFESSOR YoUMANs says of General
Pleasonton and blue glass: "The man is
q pestilent ignoramus, He NAV be en-