The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-08-09

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"Do you know, Joe, through chatting
with you lost that letter. II was one
that Miss Prengill gave me to post tor
her. l hope it was not anything import
aht, for l never found courage to confess
to her my carelessness.
"Joe looked grave, saying:
"That was not right, lass that was
not like my own brave girl; yet do you
know dear, am to blame for that, for l
picked your pocket of the letter, think
ing it was for some other sweetheart OF
yours, and then the gaffer met me and l
was hurried off to my new job, and l
expect that I threw the letter aside in
the pocket of my old dirty coat, and SO
forgot all about it from that time to this
but you must help me to rectify the
fault, love, by going at once to the young
lady and telling her truly all the circum-
stances, while 60 home and try to find
the letter.
Susie did not like the office, but she
allowed her lovers sterner sense of hon
or to compel her to do his will.
When she had told Maggie and i'm.
plored her forgiveness, she was fright.
ened at her work, for, after a severe
fainting fit, Maggie talked so wildly
about the injury they had done her, that
Susie ran to Joe for counsel, telling him
that from what she could CLEAN from
Maggie's wild talk the letter was to Sir
Jasper Dering, accepting with love and
gratitude his proposal for her hand. Joe,
on hearing this, turned the letter over
and over in his hands, deliberating long
in his mind how to restore to the lonely
girl the happiness of which they had de-
prived her
At last, with a bright look, be said :
"If this swell is half the man he ought
to be to deserve Miss Pengrll, he'll say,
Better late than never to her love, so,
l say, let US post this now"
"'Tis no good" cried Susie; she is at
the Cape OF Good Hope; heard the la
dies say So"
swell, then," said he, ~ say still,
post it; but first put on the cover: TO
be forwarded You may depend on it
that such an important persons letters
are not likely to miscarry."
Susie clapped both her plump hands,
then hugging Joe said joyfully:
"Of course, the very thing; you dear,
clever fellow, to think Of it. Rue and
post it at once, before Miss Pengrill
asks for it, or perhaps her pride will
step in between them now; / don't care
if she does say it's liberty, 80 long as
see her happy, God bless her."
OF Joe ran and returned quickly, tel
ling Susie the letter was beyond their
control.
She carried the news to poor sorrow
full Maggie, who sat in her lonely, cheer
less room crying like to break her heart
At first Maggie stormed at the girl for
daring to take such q matter into her
own hands, then, seeing how meekly Su-
sic looked, she relented OF her anger and
hoped all was for the best. Indeed, af-
terward she could not help feeling com
forted by the thought that there was yet
a chance of so bright future, and she
smiled her sweetest on Joe when she
met him a few days later.
Life was becoming almost unbearable
in her present position her employers
getting more exacting and unreasonable
every day, and never ceasing to sneer at
her as the "blighted being
Poor little Maggie! Only those alone
and 30 utterly friendless can picture the
hardness of her life.
But all was to be altered soon, for
grave faced man of middle age paused in
his brilliant career to regret his sweet
lost love who had, he thought, richly re-
proved his presumption in asking her to
blend her young life with q world
worn, weary man. He looked back on
the brief happiness Of their dear friend
ship, and thought he bad been mad to
risk the loss of it by asking great joy.
Then came the long-delayed letter
amid a hatch of official docunents-a
letter which scattered his hard earned
peace to the winds. As soon as he could
get away from his duties he sped back
to England, and the first night there be
determined to hear his fate. He felt that
he could not trust to letter again, so,
looking very noble and distinguished, he
hurried of to that handsome house in
the suberbs which made his little loves
prison-house.
Arrived there, he cursed his luck at
finding the place one blaze Of light and
music-the people were giving ball.
Sending in his card he was received with
great empressment by the hostess, who,
glad of such an addition to her guests,
hurried him into the ballroom where he
was pounced upon by score OF friends,
and compelled, while his heart hungered
for news of his darling, to lead his hand
some hostess through dance, during
which, being distrait, he had the misfor
tune to trample upon and tear her train
she then playtully ordered him to lead
her to the cloak-room, where an attend
ant waited who would repair the DAM
age.
Anxious to get away from the ball
room he readily complied and led her
into the dimly-lighted cloak.room. just
as they were on the threshold she said
gently tapping him with her fan:
"You will meet an old friend. Now,
for PHYS sake, don't again turn her head
by renewal Of last years fllrtation. OI
course she was very properly paid for
her presumption, as l have often told
her, and you did no more than any other
man would have done had q girl SO
ttro wn herself at his head. Not word.
Now, all say is, keep her in her place. "
Sir Jasper was silent, and the poor
girl behind the curtains prayed for any
means Of escape, for she thought that
his silence showed tba. her dream was
ended. Another moment and her i'm pc.
rious employer desired her to kneel
down and remedy the torn finery.
Maggie felt that for life's sake she
could not obey the order go proudly
given before the man she loved,s stood
erect and silent till the command was re.
peated more sharply. Then stern voice
answered for her, saying:
"Pardon me, madam, l believe ouI
long friendship warrants the request tha
you will relieve this lady from her duties