The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-05-23

room.
Edith burst into tears.
How silly ami she said, to let
the chatter Of those gossips affect me |!
1 might, at least, have told him it was
not pity that made me kind TO him.
She fingered little in the parlor, in
the faint hope of seeing him again /;
but he did not return, and in the morn
ing she heard that he had gone away
very early.
ITO avoid mel she thought.
She was fortunate enough to secure
few music pupils, and set cheerfully
to work. But she could not forget
Cliffe AtheriOu.
'It was cruel to part from him so,
she thought. Why did 1 not go after
him that evening, and ask him to be
friends, at least2'
Have you heard about Mr.. Ather-
ton p one of the ladies asked her, near
ly six months after Cliffs departure.
1t was the first time she had heard
his name mentioned in all that period,
She started little, and flushed guilt
ly as she shook her head.
sThey say, pursued the gossip, that
he has been away to Paris, or some.
where, to very great surgeon, in the
hope of having that crooked limb of
his straightforward
tAhp she said, in low voice, too
agitated to utter more.
sBut it was of no use. He is worse
cripple than ever-can't even go on
crutches, now
'Oh! moaned Edith, tears suddenly
binding her.
But she turned away her face that
the other might not see.
And that is not ALL her informant
went on. He has lost all his money,
or the most of it, and is back here as
poor as the rest of u.s.
Here? p almost shrieked Edith.
why yes! Didn't you know it?'
He's in the parlor yonder, stretched
on the lounge in the bay window, just
as he used to be, only a great deal
more helpless. He had to be carried
in. and will have to be carried OUT
Edith was shaking in every limb.
Her sweet face was white. She could
not keep her lips still as she turned
and went into the parlor.
Cliff lay there in the bay window as
she had been told. The delicate, hand.
some face was paler than ever, but his
white face flushed at sight of her.
Edith = he cried, extending his hand
and looking at her with sad, wistfuI
eyes.
Fortunately, no one else was in the
room. But Edith, at sight of that
dear, handsome, worn face, was no
longer mistress enough of herself TO
know whether they were alone or nor.
She was crying as she bent over him,
and, before she knew it, she had
kissed him.
My dear, my DEAR she whispered,
If you knew how l regretted parting
with you so! loved you all the time,
but l was afraid people would say ]
wanted you for your money. Now
you have lost it, they can't say that
ut any rate.
Lost it!' he murmured, looking at
her as it he could not possibly credit
his senses. Am 1 dreaming, Edith,
or did you kiss me just now2'
She hung her head, amid deep blush.
es of confusion.
Il did not know 1 kissed you. did
not mean to do that.
He caught the sweet face to his lips,
There were tears in his eyes, too.
Il don't deserve such happiness he
said. 'Who told you 1 had lost my
money!
Mrs. Wordy told me SO just now.'
He smiled.
What else did she tell you?'
THAT you had been to Paris, and
tried surgical operation for your
poor limb, and it has failed.
He laughed aloud.
Mrs. Wordy is not posted. The
surgical operation did not fail. 1 can
not take a step yet, and am not allow
ed to try. But if it works all right, 1
shall walk as we'll as anyone in six
weeks. 1t is all nonsense about the
money, too. l wonder where she got
the idea
you have not lost it?'
mo, indeed That is not all, Edith.
My name is not Cliff Atherton, but
Frank Deane p she cried, a sudden
light bursting in upon her.
yes. 1 felt so mean to take the
money away from you-a woman, and
you would not let me give you half of
it. So came here to try and per-
suade you, and Immediately fell head
over heels in love with you. Then you
refused me, and l thought did not
care whether the surgical operation
or not. When it did come
I could not help coming back, in hope
that you might learn TO love me after
ALL
tAnd l loved you all the time,' she
'Only l was silly about
what the gossips said,'
THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED |
STATES.