The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-11-16
MAUD ST. LIsLE.

1t was a quiet place, the little village
of Mayton, nestled down between two
largo hills, with its white cottages and
neatly grayellcd walks. The most pre-
tcntious house there was Judge Gray's
that large stone mansion, with the
vclvety lawn i'll front, dotted with ever
greens, and stretching down to the purl-
ing brook that wound its course so near
the stately dwelling.
The house was, at the time our story
opens, filled with guests. Harry Gray
was home from college, and his beau
tiful cousin. Maud St Lisle-who had
the past winter been the reigning met
merry laugh rang through the broad
halls, ard her light step was heard trip
ping over the verandah.
Judge Gray was a pleasant social
man, free from all affectation or osten-
tation. True merit was worth more to
bin shan mere worldly possessions, and
when Percy Halford first came to May
ton and opened his little law-office,
Judge Gray had extended to him
more than cordial invitation to visit his
house socially.
But Percy Halford was proud, poor,
and gifted. He had his way to make in
the world, and he could not afford to
indulge in the pleasures of society un-
til he had earned for himself position
among men. and he had politely, but
decidedly, refused all invitations to
mingle i'll the society of the village.
When Maud St. Lisle first came to
Mayton, she returned from a visit with
ber cousin one day, and made many en-
Quiries concerning Percy Halford,
remarked to her uncle:
"A finer looking man | never saw.
He has the head and forehead Of
statesman. Do, uncle, invite him to
call''
Eyes" replied Judge Gray, che is
gifted man, and one destined to make
his mark; but there is no use in asking
him to call He is such recuse that
he will accept no invitations. l have
urged him, again and again, without
avail. However, I'll make another at
tempt"
And so he did. Again he invited
Percy HalfOrd TO partake OF the hospl-
talitics Of his house.
For weeks Percy had seen the bright
intellectual face of Maud St. Lisle as
she drove or rode through the village,
and he could not help admiring the
well-turned faultless figure, the we'll
poised head. and the taste-the eXqui-
Site taste-she always displayed in
dress; and more than once he felt in
clincd to break his resolution and ac
cept the invitation so cordially extend
| ed him bv Judge Gray to call.
For what man could, day after day,
meet such lovely woman as Maud st.
| LislG, and not desire to make her ac-
| quaintancc?
It was pleasant afternoon in June,
| Percy had turned the key in his office
| door, and sauntcred off toward the
| green old woods for stroll. He was
leisurely returning towards the village
when lady and gentleman on horse
back rode swiftly past him. Twas
| Maud St. Lislc and her cousin Harry.
He gazed admiringly upon the grace
fully-poised figure of Maud, until a
| turn in the road hid her from view, and
then he murmured:
Beautiful, indeed, but no doubt as
vain and heartlcSs as fair-the pride
and pet Of fashions halls, the idol OF
brainless foppish men, the envy of gay
butterlly-women of the world. No, no,
Percy Halford, do not allow yourself tC
be caught in such net.
just then the SUMS rays fell upon
something in the road which glistened
with u thousand rays. He stopped and
picked from the dust a small dclicately'
wrought diamond ring, a simple band
of gold, with q solitary gem in the set,
ting. As he gazed upon the costly
baublc he said to himself:
at must belong to Miss Lisle, as she
is the only one in Mayton who wears
such costly gems"
He turned it over carefully and saw
engraved upon the inside, ITO Maud
from Clare" which confirmed his sup
position as to the ownership.
Il will send it over" he said, as he
continued his homeward walk, anc
unused thoughtfully as he walked.
After Percy Halford finished his sup
per, he repaired to his room, and a
usual, donned his dressing-gown anc
slippers, preparatory to spending th
evening with his books.
In vain he endeavored to confine hi
attention to the task before him, in vail
he endeayored to think of somethin!
besides the bright eyes and graceful
form of Maud St. Lisle.
At length he threw his book from
him. impatiently exclaiming:
Il verify believe l am bewitched, AM
by ballroom belle, too; but l vii
soon dispel this delusion. will return
the ring this evening myself y
To think with Percy Halford was t.
act; and carefully making his toilet. h
was soon ushered into Judge Gray