The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-10-28

| WIN o woman, but can't get 1t, they
all throw themselves at my head the
first thing"
"Why 1t was partly through scrap
of poetry in a bouquet, that I found
my sweet MYRTLE" Bert said, and he
told the story, and produced the slip
of pink paper which he had always
| carried.
A dim light was breaking in upon
Hathaway's mind. He had preserved
the note also. They compared the
two and found that the paper and
handwriting were identical. II got
my bouquet at Marsh's stationery
stove in Cedar street," Bert said.
"Marsh's? Yes, that is where she got
mine, remember now, said Hatha-
way.
"And I've been blaming her all along
for what was owing to freak of that
lady love of yours" he went on dis.
Mrs. Clifford, but that episode set me
back, and I have since treated her in
such cool, Indifferent way, to let hel
see that was not to be urged forward
that don't know as can ever regain
my lost ground"
81 am sorry if Myrtle has inadvert-
emily caused you trouble" Bert said.
half smiling over the matter, "but ]
think an explanation OIL your part
will set it all right if she ever cared
for yOu."
Bert left, and Hathaway went down
to supper, feeling u good deal annoyed
| over his mistake. He was unusually
! silent during the meal, snubbed Miss
| Raymond when she attempted to be
| talkativc, which was very rude of
| course. Mrs Clifford was more charm
ing than ever, anu was talking in high
| spirits with the gentleman seated next
her.
Instead of making a clean breast of
| it at once, Hathaway made all attempt
to renew his friendliness to her with
out explanation, but found the lady
SO unapproachable that he could make
no headway, So, in desperation he
asked for a private interview with her
which she granted, thinking "I won-
der what has come over his mighti-
ness. If he thinks am going to over
look his cool, Insulting manner lately
towards me, he is mistaken f.fF
81 want to ask your pardon for an
injustice have done you," he said
humbly, and told her the story, called
himself fool, and told her he loved
her and asked her to marry him. Mrs.
Clifford was surprised at first, then
amused, at the curious cOntretenps
and its effect upon Mr.. Hathaway.
'.Your thoughts did me great injus-
ticc," trying TO rally her dignity, 81
never take the lead in love matters,
though am designing widow, will
think over your declaration of love
and give you your answer when have
made up my mind," and with this
scant encouragement poor Hathaway
was obliged to be satisfied, and went
to his room wishing that Bert's lady
love had been in Zululand when she
copied that poetry. Mrs. Clifford in
her room laughed softly to herself
over the affair. ''Such q deliciously
absurd mistake she said. "He's come
to the point humbly enough through
its means however, and l know he'll
make good husband, but must pay
him back for the way he has treated
me before the others, and then rll be
propitiOus anu smile upon him to his
hearts content"
For fortnight she kept Hathaway
OH the verge OF despair. At the end
OF that time she accepted an invitation
to ride with him, next appeared with
handsome ring on her foretinger, and
the nOusenOlu SOON knew tlleNn rs en-
gagged lovers. Miss Raymond grew
fairly green with jealously, and said
spiteful Things about widows which
made Mrs. Clifford Smile when they
were repeated to her. s.s
A year afterWard Bert introduced
his wife to Mr.. and Mrs. Hathaway
and the four indulged i'll a laughing
Renaissance over the past. Il am
sure l never dreamed what important
results were to flow from that little
fancy Of mine," Myrtle said laughing.
'.Yes, it secured you q husband, and
nearly lost me u wife," said MIR. Hath
away. .'There was u fortnight of my
life that felt anything but friendly
toward you, young lady,"
''Yes, all his spite against me was
concentrated on you," laughed Mrs.
Hathaway.
Every thing is all satisfactory now,"
said Bert in a relieved tone, ''and the
sequel is brighter for the misunder-
standing. As for u.s. looking at Myr-
tie, the course Of our love ran as
smoothly as gentle flowing river"
(Which show it isn't true love-"
said Mrs. Hathaway, teasingly."