Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-02-17
That's why l kiss you!
sSelect Story.
A BROKEN IDOL.
BY q. N.

Mark Challoner had lived to be forty
three years old before he saw woman
he cared enough for to ask her to be
his wife; but this time had come for
him at last, as it comes to all men once
in their existence, the only thing fol
which lie seemed worth living for
and it dated from the minute he had
first seen Laura Bertram's witching
face.
1t happened so accidentally-Mark
Challoner, a grave business man, head
of prosperous city firm, had many a
time felt almost terrified to think how
nearly he had come to not happening
at all. He had been late for his
train--something that did not occur
once year, so regular and methodical
we're his habits--and dainty young
girl, with big, velvety- brown eyes, and
carnation pink cheeks, and mouth
like twin strawberries for lusciousness
of tint and temptingness Of beauty, was
late too, and the twomet, fate ordered,
on the platform at Ludgate Hill, three
seconds after the train had left.
That is exasperating, to say the
least he said. as he turned, with a
half-vexed smile, towards his fellow
miserable.
Then, when he saw the radiant, cx-
quisite face, in all its girlish bloom and
beauty, there went feeling over and
through, and about him that was
strangely unlike anything he ever be.
fore had experienced in his forty three
years.
She made her broad forehead pucker
into charming little frown as she
turned from the receding train to his
plain, honest face--just such face as
awomen would instinctively trust out
of thousand faces anywhere.
4 am very much disappointed. l
wouldn't have missed it for anything;
my friends will meet the train and
wonder what has become of me-
She turned back, disccnsolate)y,
towards the ladies waiting room.
If you will allow me to be of ser
vice, he said, gravely with that delic-
iously strange sensation thrilling all
over HIM, 4 will telegraph for you;
and as also have to walt for the next
train, | shall be most happy to see you
safe to your friends.
Thanks, very much, please do tele,
graph for me to Mr.. Lancaster, at the
Willows, Buckeye, and explain. am
his niece.
Mr.. Challoner is a valued friend of
mine. | am quite sure he would trust
you with me, and he smiled. My
name is Mark Challoner, my home is
just the other side Of Bromley
That was their very informal intro
duction: and four hours later, Mrs
Lancaster repeated 1t, tremendously,
in her drawing room at the Willows.
And then
Well, it had nearly all happened in
the winter, nearly alb of which season
Laura had spent with her uncle and
aunt, and the consequence was that
Mark Challoner had asked the girl to
marry him, and she had not said him
nay
In all the wide world there was not
happier, prouder man than Mark
Challoner.
4 will be so good--so good to her,
he was thinking rapturously, She
shall have everything in the world she
wants---there shall not be a wish un-
gratifed that l can hear her express
or imagine she thinks. My bright
bonny, little darling, who has flooded
my grave, quiet life with such blessed |
sunshine! My little Laura! 1 wonder
how it ever came to pass that she could |
care for mel?
1t certainly did seem somewhat
strange, when a purely disinterested
party took it into consideration.
Laura Bertram, young-twenty or
more years younger IMAM ne; she was
radiantly beautiful, gay and girlish,
while her betrothed was grave, quiet,
almost retiring in his disposition, and,
possessing very few claims to being
considered good looking man.
But he was so thoroughly good
He was as gentle as woman, yet
every bit manly and resolute III what
ever he did or said and. with a might
and force that sometimes amazed
himself, he loved the girl that promised
to be his wife, and who had let him
clasp her to his heart, and received his
ardent kisses on her smiling mouth.
Yes, he was happy-undeniably, per-
fectly happy; and into that rapturous
peace, that brooded like blessing over