The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-05-23
Edith Leyster's Fortune.

ooh, yes, my face is my fortune
Didn't you know that? The day
grandpa made his will he called me
into his room and gave me my choice
Ito marry the man he had selected
for my husband, or see the fortune he
had always meant for me go to an
other.
Il don't like the man you want me
to marry, gran'pa.' I said, 'and SO by
your leave I'll stay single, and you
may do what you like with your
money
'Its your last chance, mind that,
miss he answered, Either you
promise to do what want you to do
now, or you will be left with no other
fortune than your own pretty face. l
mean it.
'All right said I and that is how
my face is my fortune-all the fortune
shall ever have
And all the fortune you ever need
ed, too,' muttered Cliffe Atherton, as
he stole admirlng glances at the bright,
picturesque face, with its rich color
ing, Its soft, dark, lustrous eyes. 'Odd'
he said, that your grandfather never
altered his will after that. He was so
fond of you that he must have meant
to-
Probably. But as he meyer did,
here am with no other fortune than
the aforesaid pretty face, which i'm
agine will not bring me much of an
income.'
sYou must hate that cousin to whom
the money is left-the money which
ought TO have been yours
sOh, no; it was not his fault. And
my grandfather had right TO do as he
liked with his own. Besides, Frank
Deane wrote and wanted me to take
half the money; but 1 would not, of
course. He must be an uncommonly
nice follow. They say he is goodness
itself to his mother and sisters. They
were very poor until this money came
you know
Were they2 Well. 1 am glad for
them, and sorry for you. Then, l
have a sort of fellow feeling for this
Frank Deane, because he is a poor. de.
formed semblance of humanity like
myself
Edith Leyster turned and looked ut
him reproachiully.
you do wrong to speak of your
self in that manner, Mr.. Atherton
Few have snch gifts, either of good
looks or intellect ss yourself.
The young man glanced gloomily at
the velvet covered crutches that stood
within reach, and then al the twisted
limb extended upon a cushion before
him.
'You are very kind, Miss Leyster ;
but which do you call this-a gift Of
good looks or intellect?
ANY one to whom you are dear
would love you the more for it, she
answered, quickly. Frank Deane has
a misfortune similar to yours, know /;
and now that he has got some money,
he is going to have a very expensive
surgical operation performed, which
it is expected will make him as sound
q man as any. He wrote me all about
it and was 80 glad. Would you like
to see his letter? Perhaps the same
surgeon could help you.'
Perhaps; 1 doubt it, though: I
shall haye to hObble all my life through
on crutches. No one will love me
better for Them
Edith smiled q little sadly to her.
self. She thought she knew some one
who loved him a great deal more ten
derly for his crutches.
But Cliffe Atherton was rich, and
she had no fortune but her face. II
he were to guess that she loved him
he might imagine that she valued him
for his money. Only that day she had
heard one of the boarders say to an
other
Edith Leyster thinks she will catch
that poor lame young Atherton. But
he sees through her fast enough. aud
if he ever does marry her it will be
because he fancies no woman would
have him except for his money, and
she is rather pretty creature
So Edith, whose ears burned with
that speech yet, answered, lightly, that
he was very unkind to all his friends
to say that,
Friendsv he answered, bitterly.
You know it is not the love of friends
care for. Listen 10 me, Edith as
the girl was turning away, with a
very pale face. Il am fool, 1 dare
say. You have been very kind to me,
but it was only because you pitied me,
perhaps. Still, your goodness has
me to speak. love you
and if you will be my wife, 1 will try
to not let you regret marrying poor
lame creature like me-
He tried to take her hand, but
Edith shrank from him, trembling
violently.
1t is impossible she stammered.
6 Oh, don't ask mel
He mistook the shrinking in her face
for dislike.
wiffnot ask you again-do not
fear,' he said, in q cold, panied voice,
He reached for his crutches and