Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-02-17

toned.
4 haven't said anything about you
engagement, for really didn't thinI
it would amount to much, John Clay
ton said, in his of-hand way.
Didn't think it would amount t
much! Mark repeated in a sort o
amazing mechanical way.
No, thought it wouldn't, and hop
ed the same j don't approve of 1t, by
any means, Mark That girl don't car,
straw for you
Mr. Challoner looked at him in as
tonlshment for a second, then a SLOW
red stain came into his face.
That sounds rather rough, old fel
low. Don't forget its a sacred subjec
TO me.
Stuff and nonsense! It's subjec
that cant't be too highly Illuminated
with all the common sense that can bt
brought to bear. | tell you, you art
in love until you are blind as bat, anc
l shall do my duty by you, Thai
pretty little girl don't care that fol
you, Mark; and hate to see you make
such an idiot of yourself
See here, Clayton and Mark Chal.
loner's low, cool voice was ominously
low and cool. despite its patience
"you must not expect | shall permit
any one to speak to me about my per.
sonal affairs. YOU
Clayton looked little defantly at
him.
Don't ge: obstreperous, Mark! I've
known you, boy and man, many years,
and you, don't suppose, do YOU, I'll
shut my eyes and mouth when | see
you allowing yourself to be married
for your money, and nothing but your
money Just another minute. Let
me say my say and Iswear it is my first
and last on the subject; but strip your
self of your fortune, your fine house,
your horses, your servants-sud Miss
Bertram would give you the go-by.
Try ito prove my truth.
Mark had listened with visible eff
fort.
After this | decline any interference
or advice on the subject of my mar
riage. Have cigar old fellow! can
consciennously recommend them
imported them myself.
And Clayton, having had his say
was forever after silent, while Mark
Challoner, in his perfect love and trust,
went his way serene and content
every day thanking Heaven for its
mercies.
Until one bright Autumn day, when
he found himself away at the West
End Adopt lunch time, and stebped into
the academy, when, after a cursory
glance at the pictures, he went into
the dining room, where, minute or
so after he had given his order, and
while he was looking half-curiously
around him, he suddenly made the de-
licious discovery that, all unconscious
of his vicinity, Laura Bertram was oc-
cupving a table not two yards from
him, in company with lady friend
a bright vivacious young lady, who
sat facing him, with Lauras pretty
black hair and sloping shoulders were
presented to his admiring gaze.
Another minute, and he would have
acted upon his first impulse and joined
them; but Fate had arranged it all for
him, and instead of obeyiug the i'm
pulse, he heard himself spoken Of in
Laura's sweet voice, in a way that
hushed him into strange, motionless
silence.
OF course you wouldn't have Mr..
Challoner-Rita, you needn't tell me
that Neither wauld !, if he hadn
money
'But-so has Charlie Denzil money,
and you know he is disconsolate be-
cause you broke your engagements
with him on Mr.. Challoner's account
My middle-aged adorer has more
than Charlie, anyhow. Laura asserted,
lightly. He is horrid, and there's no
use assembling the fact. He's old as
Mathuselah, and grim as church owl,
and whenever he kissed me, wished
it was Charlie. Oh, | do, Rita, and you
needn't look shockedn
Rita laughed
you are an awful girl, Laura.
Oh, you were going to show me his
photograph. Let's see it Of course,
you carry it next your loving healt.
'Oh of course!' Laura said, sneer,
ingly, as she produced picture of him
he had given her few weeks before,
over which she had gone into such
pretty ecstacies that he had felt thou
sand fold repaid. There! it does seem
radicious to think | should marry such
, queer looking object, doesn't it?
And Charlie is so handsome! See
lere-the contrast.
And, to Rita's honest astonishment,
Laura produced a locket-picture of
Charlie Denzi.
Laura, you are incorrigible! Let's
nave good look at your adorable.
Great heavens and she leaned her
ace close to Laura's, the original of
hat photograph isn't three feet away,
Right behind you, look.
With a little exclamation. Laura
ooked. her face paling to ashes, as Mr..
Jhalloner bowed, and stepped forword,
md dropped his head near enough to