The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-09-16
ALL FOR THE BEST.

ALL FOR THE BEST.
ssAnd is this to be the end of all my
bright dreams, Shelah? Have you only
led me on, making me believe you cared
for me, until you forced from me con-
fession of my love, that you might add
another to your long list of conquests
! knew you to be selfish and proud, but
I did not believe you capable of this.
But I will not censure you, if your con-
science does mott love you too well for
that. -
And the speakers eyes rested with
loving, pitying glance upon the dark,
handsome face by his side.
Shelah Fortescue did not meet this
look, but stood, with downcast eyes,
nervously pulling to pieces geranium
leaf she had just plucked.
In average faces tine power of express
sion is pretty evenly divided among the
leading features, but Shelah Fortescue's
eyes seemed to monopolize it. It would
have been hard to find a sweeter mouth
when the eyes were smiling; it would
have been difficult to match the delicate
outline of the face, or the exquisite CHS
cling of every feature. Nothing could
be more finished than the contour and
pose of the high-bred little head, or the
wealth OF raven hair by which it was
surmounted. But from all these the at
tention was withdrawn when the dark,
mysterious eyes flashed upon the spec
tator look In which all their express
sional power was concentrated. Eyes
like those might suggest that they would
express too much unless they were under
a remarkable control by their owner.
But this they were, for Shelah Fortescue
could, when she chose, express more IN
one glance from those dark, dreamy
eyes than most women would In half an
hours conversation. But now those
eyes were half concealed by the long jet
lashes, and you could only tell that she
heard the deep, impassioned words ad-
dressed to her by the impatient manner
In which she tossed away the leaf she
held In her haId-
"Shelan," he said, after waiting in
vain fora reply. "can you give me no
hcpe-no promise that may serve as q
goal in the race of life? Ah, darling,
You, with your cold, proud nature, cam
not Comprehend how deep and lasting Is
my love for you. know have little to
ask, but can you not promise me that
sometime IN the future. I care not how
far distant that time may be. If I should
bring name-one which men honor
to lay at your feet, you would then ac-
cept my love? I know my life has been
one of idleness and folly up to the pre5-
ent time, but it was because there was
nothing to stimulate me to follow the
higher and nobler walks of life, and /
simply followed where my idle inclina-
tions led But with such prize as your
love in view, there is nothing I would
not do OF dare.
Andas he ceased speaking, almost un-
consciously, he attempted to take her
hand. She drew back hastily, and for
he first time spoke, and her words came
In clear, measured tones. "rc say
that I am surprised would but inditfer-
emily express what feel at this mo-
ment, Elmer. When you first men,
toned this subject, I supposed you were
iessa-.v-but. since You have assumed
such tragic style, must either think
you are really in earnest or that you
have been cast for disappointed lovers
part-one of the fierce ones, you know
i'm some private theatricals. and that
you take this opportunity of rehearsing
your part. If am correct IN my latter
surmise, let me assure you that, II my
criticism Is worth anything, the piece
will be complete success as far as your
acting is concerned"
And she laughed low, musical laugh,
as she toyed with chased gold bracelet
upon her shapely wrist.
"Shelah, how can you speak so lightly
of subject which to me is the most Sc
rious of my life? Has not my untiring
devotion to you for months past been
automatic proof of my love ?"
eyes, Elmer, your attentions have
been somewhat pointed, and on several
occasions you have been uncommonly
sentimental for one of your matter-of-
fact disposition but did not suppose
for a moment that these little bursts o.
sentiment would culminate in anything
more serious than your making love tt
me In a general way; the same as yor
did to hundreds of others. Your love
making seemed to please you, and, as il
did not materially inconvenience me,
felt some compunction about deprivnle
you of the pleasure of occasionally be
ing sentimental"
But, Shelah, love you-madly, de
votedly. You surely will not wreck my
life by your coquetry; for you know
Shelah, you have given me every reason
to believe you cared for me-"
"Well, if it is any pleasure for you Il
think so, / have no serious objection
But I think enough has been said OF
this subject for us to understand eacl
other. Suppose we talk of somethin,
more interesting"
"But, Shelah, will you not"
"No, once for all I must forbid you
ever mentioning this subject ts n
again. {"
Gone word more, Shelah. r.
"You need not plead, III never alter;
IN go my way, for the dream is done,"
Shelah repeated the two lines of poe
in a calm, even voice, without
shade of pity for the proud man VIII
stood before her-who, for the first tim
in his lazy, indolent life, was humil
lated. He stood for few moments il
resolute, and then again essayed t
speak:
"Shelah, I had hoped"
But she interrupted him with an i'm
patient gesture:
Il see you will insist on talking o.
that disagreeable topic; so I will bi
you au revosr, and, with naughty IL
clination Of her head, she walked ava,
He stood looking after her until ST
disappeared among the trees, and
seemed to him that all the light an
happiness of his life had gone with he
Until this moment he had never know
what it was to suffer; until this h
}anguid creeds had held that no wiz
man feels strongly, and to glide throug