The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-05-19
UUPID'S WRANGLES.

"Only lovers quarrelr' That
what the wise. old folks say, with some
thing between a smile and sneer
when they see two people who latel,
''trod on air, and dwelt with Elysium,
suddenly grow silent, and sad, and bit
ter, being evidently reduced to the very
confines of despair. "Pshawr' say tht
old ones and the cold ones. "Let then
alone. They'll get over that. It's only
a lovers quarrelr' Only! as if quar-
rel between two people who sincereI,
love, were not really IA dreadful matter
as if quarrel-a serious misunder
standing-had not full often wrecked
the happiness of two lives!
l thought such a misundersta ndine
had ruined mine. Ali, yes; it seemed
TO me that hope and happiness were
forever dead 10 me, and that the only
way to escape from pain and regret
would be to escape from its life and its
cares altogether. But how to do that
Death never comes when we call him.
''While there's life there's hope" and,
equally, while there's hope there's life,
and hope will survive, somehow, in the
heart of loving girl of twenty. long
after she believes she has buried it for
ever, and sung her requiem of sighs
and tears above its grave.
Our quarrel had come from such a
little. simple. foolish thing. Neither
George nor 1 had cared very much,
suppose, for the matter in itself; what
indeed, did / care for stupid ball
without my own true lover? Had he
only humored me a little. had he only
asked favor instead of demanding u
right, it would have been SO different,
but he was exacting and Jealous, and
l.,
and sorrow came of that.
/ had cared a great deal for the ball
while 1 supposed that George would be
my escort. My lover was richer and
better placed in the world than 1, but
they called me the belle of Cloisterbury,
and | had made great Preparations for
this, the first occasion on which we
should appear together in society since
our engagement had been made known.
/ thought would show myself at least
"a fair excuse for what some people
called Sir George Chester's folly. My
father, a country physician, was but
poor, and had worked hard with my
own hands to procure a costume worthy
of my own beauty (Of course knew 1
was handsome girD and of my low
er's position-altogether it was disap-
pointing, and might have tried the tenn
per of a less spoiled and more patient
girl than 1 was, to have George come
and tell me, the very morning of the
ball, that his mother had suddenly sum-
moned him to London, to look after
some business of an urgent nature,
which might detain him some weeks.
After all, didn't care much about
the ball, but 1 cared-oh, more than
words could have expressed, for parting
with my lover. And Thought he did
not seem to mind it much-he looked
moody and pale certainly, but he didn't
say much, whilst l, in my impetuous,
feminine way, could have cried and
rallied about it. wish had! But no,
my pride was up in arms. l wasn't
going to let him see how much 1 cared.
I stood and beat with my fingers on the
window-pane-silent, because the fast
coming tears were choking me; per-
haps, 10 a looker-on, / appeared sulky,
too.
Sir George stood just silent for
awhile; presently, however, he spoke
abruptly.
'1ts too bad that you should have to
miss the ball, Gracie," said he.
1 knew as well as possible that 1
shouldn't go-that nothing would have
induced me to go without him. 1t was
sheer perversity, born of my disap
pointment and Jealous pain, that made
me answer coldly:
IL don't know that 1 need miss the
ball. Captain Stanhope will be only
too glad to escort me-"
He flushed redly at that. Captain
Stanhope was his pet aversion.
''No other man can play escort to my
affianced wife," said he, haughtily. II
am sorry to disappoint you of your
pleasure though it is through no fault
of mine, but, since l am unable to ac-
company you, unless your father can
take my place, you will certainly have
to stay at home"
Is there anything SO unreasonable as
real love? l adored my sweetheart, l
expected him to have perfect conf
dence in my love and faith. and believe
me wholly his, and yet, Immediately
Tin my soreness of heart and temper) [
took Offense at the manner in which he
appropriated me, as it were. and die
tated on what terms | should go or
stay.
II shall 'have to stay at home" l
repeated, disagreeably, my rage against
his mother (who had sent him away i'm
the hope of separating us, l felt surely
venting itself upon him. 81 suppose L
shall not 'have to do anything but
what 1 choose. l am not your wife yet,
you see, and if Captain Stanhope-"
'.And if Captain Stanhope escorts you
to this ball. or any other place, you
never will be! Mind thatr' cried Sir
George, passionately. "Pve had more
to bear with than you know, and I'm
willing to put up with good deal for
your sake, but if
interrupted him-my pride and
temper were in the ascendant now;
forgot for the moment how dearly l
loved him-so dearly that would rath-
er have parted with my life than with
him. 1 thought only that he had
wounded my pride.
II am not willing that you should
put up with anything for my sake" !
said. 81 was not aware that any terri
BILE sacrifice on your part was involved
in our engagement, or l should never
u a