Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-02-23

| ihS ONCl od"s
l can only say, in general terms
that my progress IN her favor that nigh
was very satisfactory, and at one IL
morning we parted the best of friends
The next day it was decided to keeE
the delusion for a while longer, and
finally my absence was accounted for
by telling her that my illness thre atens
to be serious and ! had been SEN
home.
As time passed on | became more
and more romantic, and amongst
other projects determined to give her
to understand that | was little more
impecunious than Jobs poverty strick
en- turkey, and to win her, if possible,
for myself alone. | felt that my per-
sonal charms were equal to the task,
and | laid siege to her heart with a
zeal bordering on desperation. How j
sped will presently be seen.
One morning, as was sitting by her
side in the private parlor of the family,
Fred came in and handed her letter,
desiring her to give 1t her immediate
attention. With an apology she broke
the seal, and commenced to read. |
had arisen, and was pacing the floor
and watching her countenance with a
beating heart. | saw her color come
and 90. | heard her call Fred to sit
beside her, and | stopped and looked
out of the window. | heard her say:
What presumption
But, my dear Maud' Fred replied,
and then the conversation became in
distinct and | could only catch here
and there a word. But | could hear
enough to know that Fred vas urging,
and she was protesting. At last |
could hear no more, and finally Fred
called to me.
Montague, give us your advice.
Maud wishes it as well as l. We will
leave it to you to say what ought to be
done. Here she has letter from my
dear old college chum, rich, of good
family, handsome
"Confne yourself to facts, Fred" ;"
broke in Maud. 81 saw him once, and
he is as ugly as SIM"
"She knows all about his character
and antecedents-- she knows that he is
my best friend, and she calls his offer
of marriage, contained in this letter,
important, and says she will leave
it to you to say whether she should
answer this letter at all"
"Will you abide by my decision2"
said |, approaching.
Fred thereupon made an excuse and
abruptly left the room. l at once took
his place on the sofa and commenced
to plead my case against the imperti--
nent stranger. have waxed eloquent
many times since in tile course of my
legal and political career, but l have
always regarded my speech on that oc-
caslon as the "greatest effort of my
life" But before l knew my fate
Fred entered the room again. | felt
confident, however, and said:
"You promise then, do you--sol-
omnly promise to marry your brothers
friend, Mr.. B. If say that it is my
wish that you do so?"
| felt that | had her there. After
pause she looked up into my face and
said:
Il do solemnly promise to DO so if
it is your wish.
"Then marry him, Maud said | |
solemnly, almost theatrically, sand |
may you live long and be happy"
She fixed her eyes on me for an in
stant, as if doubling her ear, and then,
burying her face in her handkerchief, |
her whole frame shook with emotion.
| was for moment wild with re-
gret that had practiced such trick
upon her but she soon recovered her
composure and then all was explained
and forgiven.
My object was accomplished. She
loved me for myself With all my
poverty l had won her from a rich
rival who was backed by a pleading
brother. My cup Of joy was full
X X X
The foregoing stars are supposed to
represent an interval of time In this
case they cover period of three
months, during which time we were
married and were on our wedding
tour through Europe
ut is not right, dear, said my wife
to me one day, for married people to
have any secrets from each other, IS
it?"
"No, indeed" I replied earnestly.
"Well, !, then, l have dreadful con.
fession to make, dear"
"Go on, said l, as careless as pos
sible.
IL don't like to spoil so fine ro-
nance as ours, but as it is not right
TO keep secrets from each other,
must tell you that I was never de.
,eived as to your identity when you
wele first introduced.
"The devil you say!"
mo, dear; could not be mistaken.
had already learned to look upon
you as my future husband, and when
once saw you l could not possibly
orget your features so soon."