The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-03-03

and you don't suppose, do you, I'll shut
my eyes and mouth when | see you al
lowing yourself to be married for your
money, and nothing but your money!
Just another minute. Let me say my
say and swear it is my first and last
on the subject; but strip yourself OF your
| fortune, your fine house, your horses,
your servants and Miss Bertram would
give you the go-by. Try ito prove
my truth"
Mark had listened with visible eff
fort. :.
"After this decline any interference
or advice on the subject of my marriage.
Have cigar. old fellow! l can con-
scientiously recommend thcm-import-
ed them myself"
And Clayton, having had his say was
forever after silent, while Mark Chal-
loner. in his perfect love and trust, went
his way, serene and content, every day
thanking Heaven for its mercies.
Until one bright, early Autumn day,
when he found himself away at the
West End about lunch time, and
stepped into the academy, when. after a
cursory glance at the pictures, he went
into the dining-room, where, minute
or so after he had given his order. and
w iillC IlC wa lOohluS udl1-Suilou
around him, he suddenly made the de-
licious discovery that, all unconscious
of his vicinity, Laura Bertram was oc-
cupying table not two yards from
him, in company with = lady friend-a
bright, vivacious young lady, who sat
facing him, with Laura's pretty back
hair and sloping shoulders were pre-
sented to his admiring gaze.
Another minute, and he would have
acted upon his first impulse and joined
them; but Fate had arranged it all for
him, and instead of obeying the i'm
pulse, he heard himself spoken of in
Laura's own sweet voice, in a way that
huShed him into strange, motiOnleSS
silence.
'.Of course you wouldn't have Mr..
Chailoner-Rita, you needn't tell me
that. Neither would /, if he hadn't
money"
'.But-so has Charlie Denzil money,
and you know he is disconsolate because
you broke your engagement with him
on Mr.. Challoner's account"
'.My middle-aged adorer has more
than Charlie, anyhow" Laura asserted,
lightly. ..He is horrid, and there's no
use assembling the fact. He's old as
Methuselah. and grim as a church-owl,
and whenever he kisses me, wish it
was Charlie. Oh, l do, Rita, and you
needn't look shockcdr'
Rita laughed.
'You are an awful girl, Laura. Oh,
you were going to show me his photo
carry it next your loving heart
''Oh, of cOurser' Laura said, sneer-
ingly, as she produced picture of him
he had given her few weeks before,
over which she had gone into such
pretty ecstacies that he had felt thou
sand fold repaid. There! it does seem
ridiculous to think | should marry such
a queer looking object, doesn't il? And
Charlie is so handsome! See here-the
contrast
And, to Rita's honest astonishment,
Laura produced Il locket-picture of
handsome Charlie Denzil.
Laura, you are incorrigible! Let's
have n good look ut your adorable.
Great heaven" and she leaned her face
close to Laura's> ''the original of that
photograph ism three feet away. Right
behind you, look"
With "a little exclamation, Laura
looked, her face paling TO ashes, as Mr..
Challoner bowed, and stepped forward,
and dropped his head near enough to
prevent any one but they two from hear
ing his few words.
Il am very fortunate in having made
this charming discovery in time, and to
wish you good-day. Goodbye! and
better success with Mr.. Denzil than you
have accomplished with me-
Wcll-Laura went home and cried
herself sick, and almost the first piece
of gossip brought her was that Charlie
Denzil and Rita Burton were engaged;
and, somehow, her spirits were broken,
and her beauty faded, and she grew
dull and ill-tempered, and ceased to be
a favorite, and, in all probability will
die an old maid.
While Mark Challoner-
Well, it made life very bitter thing
for him for many long day. But he
was not the man to sit down and let HIM
self become the toy of destiny. He
fought down his great grief as best he
could, and the time came when he met
and married lady, ripper and in every
way more worthy of him; one who APP
preciated him for his many sterling
qualities and loved him for his tender
kindness and true heart. His home is
a happy one, and surrounded by his
wife and lovely children, he thanks
Heaven for the accident that first OPEN
ed his eyes to the truth, and prevented
his marriage to that worst of all beings
"a female fortune hunter.