The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-11-15
Selert Stum.
HOW BIRDIE ESCAPED.

You have good looks, you have
youth, you have address Come at once,
and l will introduce you to ayoung lady
whose fortune, with her hand, will repair
what you have wasted"
Rolfe Rathburne threw down his un.
cle's letter, lighted cigar and elevated
bis feet to the table. He knew very well,
he believed, whom his uncle referred to
"a ward of his, Miss Elinor Chauncy
who must by this time be of marriagea-
BILE age, he considered.
I'm not marrying man." muttered
young Rathburne; "but when I saw thai
girl, eight years ago. she promised to be
a beauty; and man might do worse
perhaps, than to take pretty wife with
plenty Of money"
He was dissipated-looking young
man OF e-and-twenty, with black
moustache and curling hair, which he
made the most of. He had fair pro.
portion of brains, but no morals to
speak of. He kept aaoat in good socie-
ty, however, having knowledge of good
breeding and rich uncle-the Honora-
ble Christopher Brudenel. The Honor
able Christopher Brudenel had written
him the above letter. He was partial TO
his nephew.
Soon the French Hotel where Rolfe
Rathburne boarded knew him no more.
He left these congenial quarters and be-
took himself to the fatigues of railway
journey.
1t had been some years since he had
been at Ashdon, his uncle's country
house. Eight years before, when he was
a rather vicious lad of eighteen, his un-
Gle in fit of passion had forbidden him
the house; but that was one of the many
hygones which Mr. Role Rathburne's
relatives were obliged to overlook.
Ashdon, with its white front pillars,
its green lawns dotted with fower-laden
stone urns, its fountains and whispering
ash trees-Ashdon looked familiar.
He had walked up from the station,
leaving his baggage to be sent for.
"Let me see," he soliloquized, viewing
the place from rise in the road. "rhe
girl was thirteen when saw her last--a
charming little brunette-and they called
her Birdie. She must be twenty now,
and fascinating enough, I'll be bound !!
Lonely here! Uncle keeps her secluded
fancy. Good idea! A beauty with a
fortune is rather dangerous property to
be lying around loose. Wonder what
her fancy is in men9 Girls always have
some notions of their own. AS she's
brunette l suppose ought to have big
blonde besrd to be killing"
He had reached the gates of Ashdon
oy this time when man with big
blonde beard suddenly approached him.
He had a packag7f letters-iu his hsnda
be had just arrived and was
in hurry.
"Were you going in ?" he asked.
YES" said Rsthburne.
The man, who was well-dressed and
Of fine appearance, selected letter from
the number in his hand.
81 have letter mere for Miss Chaun-
,y; will you he kind enough to deliver
t to ber personally p
Rathburne, in good humor, assented
,ivilly, and the mar passed on, walking
'apidly.
"He's not the postman; tradesman,
mused Rathburne.
The letter was simply addressed in
clear uniform chirography, Miss Chaun-
~, Ashdon." He put it in the breast
pocket of his coat, and turning the han
ile of the iron gates walked in.
Rolfe Ra,hburne had delivered that
etter with kindlipg eyes; BRIDES dark
eyes and rosebud mouth were more
than anything he had ever seen
before.
"Yes,' said the Honorable Christopher
"my ward is very pretty, and
so far she has lived very secluded life.
l have thought it best"
"Has she no other friend or guardian,
Uncle Chris p
Uncle Chris, forid and portly, changed
color.
"She is 40 orphan, quite alone, but
for-well, in fact, she has another guar
Mordaunt. The rascal
wanted to marry her-for her money,
you know"
"Of course. What did you do ?"
"Told him | had SEM her abroad, and
sent him posting off to search through
all the convent schools of France to find
her. Meanwhile | have sent for you;
want you to marry her-I give you this
last chance Remember, ! shall pay no
more of your spendthrift bills"
81 shall be very happy,Amy dear un-
c.e."
Meanwhile Birdie, though it was past
midnight, sat in her chamber, looking
out into the moon-lighted garden II
had been year since she had been out
side those garden walls. how tired she
had grown of its wearisome walks and
monotonous stiffness, only the bright
young thing knew. Her dimpled cheeks
looked pale in the moonlight, her chin
rested in her little hand.
but if ! could only see him once
more, l would come back and stay a
year contented. l would, indeed! He
loves me; he is tender, gentle, kind. l
only live, l think, when l am with him.
When am not, seem to be dying by
inches, day by day. Do people ever die
for love, when they are young and
healthy as am, l wonderI No, l think
not" sadly says pretty little Birdie.
And then she turned her mind intent
ly upon other things. Birdie could not
sleep that first night of Rolfe Rath-
burne's coming
He could not sleep very we'll himself,
when be first sought bis chamber. Here
was an unexampled piece Of good for
tune. Birdie was so beautiful and be,
witching. He would marry her, pay
those 'tormenting debts, set up city
house and enjoy life. He would like to
show Birdie to the men of his set-so
fresh, so pretty and charming Wouldn't
they grow green with envy2 He laughed
in the darkness with thinking of it.
Fresh and sweet as half-blown rose-
bud Birdie certainly was; but Mr. Rath-
burne, to his surprise, found her also a
little thorny.
No, she didn't care to walk in the
garden and she did dislike cigar-smoke,
and she wouldn't trouble him 10 carry
her naraSol or fan for her.