The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-12-15
THE TWO LOVERS.

f'n it were for your own good. Sylvia,
| or il 1 even thought the man really
loved you. 1 would never try to hold
you back from marrying him. But you
don't know him rs do. dear. II you
I! could hear and see him Of nn evening
| in the billiard-room at the Clarendon
half intoxicated aud swearing over his
| bad luck, you would soon lose this fool
ish fancy for him. And he talks of
women, too. in q shameful way. No
man worth the name would"
That is quite enough, Mr.. Max
WE'LL" exclaimed Sylvia Lee. who had
bcen listening to the young farmer lee
ture with ill-concealed impstience. "If
Philip Carr amuses himself in such
places, is he any worse than you? BY
your own account you frequent them
yourself"
''Only since this fellow came here to
bewitch you, SYLVIA" said George
Maxwell. IL have watched him, but it
was for Your sake"
Never mind. George. Icannot hear
another word" said the dark, bright
young beauty, looking nervously to-
ward a pretty bower of honeysuckles at
the lower end of the garden in which
they stood. 81 may as well tell you at
once that love him with all my heart,
and that have promised to marry him
on the day when my grandfather gives
his consent"
..Dr. Lee will never do that" began
George. He has always wished OH
to marry me, Sylvia. And I-oh, you
knosV how my whole heart has been
fixed upon you ever since VIC were lit
tie children playing about this dear old
farm together"
The girl flushed up and seemed to
hesitate. She had loved George Max
well. Nay. she loved him now. al
though she knew it not.
The leaves shook and rustled. a.
though there was not breath of wind
stirring among the trees.
Sylvia's eye caught the movement,
and her color grew deeper still.s
''lt cannot be. George - she said
sadly. II must go away-I must see
the world. And he can show it to
me-"
She drew her hand away and ran
back to the house before George Max
we'll could utter q word. After a few
moments he mounted his fast gray mare
and rode swiftly to the hillside farm
which was his own; and from her win
dow, screened by the curtains, Sylvia
watched him out of sight. For the last
time! She knew it well. George Max
well was proud. He would not kneel
to sue for q love that was denied. no
matter what he might suffer through its
loss. He would come no more.
For weeks Sylvia had said to herself
that their tacit engagement was broken.
Now that it was done, she sat down
ond looIod at GoArOosa yicturo On I'll; q
wall and cried as If her heart would
break.
From the garden. from the honey
suckle bower, came the clear. thrilling
notes of bird-a call that she had lis
tened to many time during the weeks
Just fed. Now she heard it with start
of fright. Her tears ceased.
.'rve kept him waiting SO long! Will
he be angry?" she thought; as. all in a
furry of agitation, she bathed her face
and arranged her hair, and tied the
crimson ribbons afresh that fastened
| the lace frills at her throat and wrists.
She stole down the front stairs softly.
The warm, perfumed twilight was drop
| ping down above the earth like q man.
tie Of darkness and secrecy.
Down to the arbor sped Sylvia, sure
that shewa safe from every eye. And
| in the arbor she was met by a tall
| distinguished looking man. who lifted
her email white hand to his lips
tssHow long you have been. my dear
esf,r he said reproachfully, drawing
herlt0 the seat that circied the arbOr.
81 began TO fear that you were going
to desert me and cling TO the young
farmer. after al"
...He has gone. / shall not see hin
/ "a Al = - L.
said Sylvia rather unsteadily.
II hope you don't regret him. dar
ling" said the silky voice. ITO live
with him on one Of these dreary. lonely
farmsi 1t would be an awful fate
| for one SO bright and fair. Wait til
you see the elegance. the luxury, the
| perfect comfort of q city home; ant
then say if you arc sorry for places like
these. You will say goodbye to pov
erty. dear, once you are my bride"
.Povertyp Why. l have never beer
poor" exclaimed Sylvia. ''Grandpap,
is the richest man in Clinton, and hi
has always given me everything that
! wished for"
II know-I know" said Philip Carr
glancing back rather contemptuously
ut the square, red brick house. ''rh'
farm is his, hear. But what is tina
to such homo rs offer your"
..'rhe farm is only small part o
grandpaps's wealth." said Sylvia, who
In spite Uf her infatuation, slightly re
sented this persistent underwriting o
her family and friends.
1t was not the first time that he ha(
talked in that way. Should she-shoul.
she tell him secret which would mak'
him approach her grandfather witt
more respect when he went to ask hi
consent to their marriage? 1t nigh
be we'll to do 50.
.But mans bank account tells tts
story of his property. love-" said Philil
carelessly. '.And your grandfather ha
mono at Clinton, so the people say. Blu
what does that matterP" he added
changing his tone. II marry you TO
love. not for money, my darling"
'.Phil. will tell you something, onl
) you must keep the secret faithfully,
said the foolish girl. 'Grandpapa. ha
Q horror of banks. He keeps his none
here at hOme."
] IA small amount. suppose. deaz
Wall thnt n not nary 6nnRuRonn