The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-07-28
HIS SECOND LOVE.

HIS SEOOND LOVE.
In dimly-lighted nook of q magnifi.
cent conservatory, sheltered from all
prying eyes by the dense masses of TO-
liage that surrounded them, sat two
people. conversing in low and earnest
tones, so absorbed in themselves that
even the soft melodious strains of '.Des
Lie6en Langen Tag" which floated
towards them from the adjacent ball
room upon the still evening breeze,
failed to draw them from the retreat
which they had sought.
One, at least, paid no heed to the
sounds. Time was, and that not long
since, that Harold Courthope would
have thought the world held no greater
bliss for him than to hold Eva Cress-
ingham's slim waist encircled by his
arm while they conversed; but now he
had more serious thoughts, more ar
dent wishes concerning her, and it was
to plead for the fuliilment of those
wishes that he had drawn her away
from where she would fain have stayed,
dreading the explanation which she
foresaw was inevitable when Harold.
instead of leading her to her place,
when he offered his arm for the dance,
for which his name stood upon her
daintily- little programme, set
down there by his own hand with tho
exquisite gold pencil set with diamonds
he had himself presented to her as q
gage a. amour, walked out of the open
window, across the narrow strip of
moon-lit lawn. and sought this sheltered
retreat, where Eva knew she must at
last be forced to throw aside all con-
rL T.
ever the hopes that her conscience told
her all too plainly she had fostered.
She would have escaped if possible,
but it was not to be. Harold held her
too firmly for that, and without attract
ing notice-which she did not consider
desirable-she could hardly release her
hand from his arm, SO she made vir-
tue of necessity, and suffered him to
quaking. yet none the less resolved up
on her course.
1t must be, she decided. It had been
q very pleasant dream while it lasted,
but q dream that must have come to q
close some time or other, for though
she liked Harold very much, she never
could be his wife, that was certain
She was sorry for him. too, sorry that
she had encouraged his attentions and
given him room for hope; but it had
not been of set purpose-she had not
dreamed of such a result in the begin
ming, and she could only hope that
Harold would be sensible and not take
the blow too much to heart.
While he-ah! he thought. what would
life be to him without that fair presence
bv his sidei
Fair. indeed. and pleasant to look
upon, was Eva Cressingham. A slight
but rounded figure Of exquisite proper
tions, surmounted by face and head
most beautiful. Dark, but with the
rich, warm hue of the sunny South. not
that unhealthy sallowness OF skin which
characterizes the brunette of our north
ern latitudes. A mouth like rosebud,
which when the lips parted disclosed
teeth of pearly whiteness and perfect
regularity; eyes large and melting with
LIQUID tenderness; q wealth of cluster
ing hair, and-crowning charm of all!
that .'most excellent thing in won-
an" sweet, melodious voice.
Such was Eva Cressingham, and her
companion, in his fresh young man
hood, was well fitted by nature for her
mate. s..gsi1
But it was not to be. He had spoken
at last, and learned the truth. and there
was something of anger in his voice as
he made answer:
..Why, if this was to be the end of it
all, have you allowed me to nurse such
hopes as you must have perceived, to
exist, as have done this half-year past
--in a fools paradise of my own max
ingP' he said, bitterly.
81 didn't know-I didn't mean,"
she faltered. her eyes dropping beneath
his reproachfrl gaze.
s.Didn't know! Answer me truly, if
you can," he said, '.Do you rcally and
truly mean that you cannot be my
wife?''
Il really and truly mean 1 cannot be
your wife,"
And Harold Courthope frowned, and
looked vexed and, disappointed and
sad, and even. angry at the petite.
charming little lady. who had played
such terrible havoc with his heart from
almost the very first moment he had
seen her just six months ago.
He had been her most assiduous pre-
tendu, and had told her weeks before
this how he loved her and wanted her
for his wife. And the answer had been
the same-she loved him dearly. dear
ly, but she could not be his wife, be-
cause she had been engaged to Mr..
Bellingham for-oh, ages. it seemed to
her
..But you don't care for him, Eva,
you don't love him, do youP"
..No. don't. How could I, when
never even have seen himP"
..Never have seen himp Why, is it
possible? Never have seen your future
YOUR betrothed husband. l meanp"
She shook her pretty little head.
..No. But papa and he are old
friends. and he is very rich. and very
learned, and papa thinks there is no
one in the world like Mr.. Belling-
ham,"
~Your fathers old friend! Is that any
hotly exclaimed Harold.
"How can you marry him. and yet
love mef Do you love me. Eyap"
And there Was . wonderful thrill OF
naaaaNm IN hSa anwoe 0uan13On - ha