The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-06-01

| plain to me; but Guy is clean beWltcn-
ed about her. She must be the same
person for the description he gave tai
lies exactly. Let's see: graceful form
milk and roses complexion, blue eyes
and lovely golden curls-only she wears
golden braids, now that Guy isn't here.
| / expect the curls made her look
younger; but in spite of beauty l can
always see beneath the surface, and this
very charming Bernice hasn't lost her
heart; and yet my misguided son thinks
she loves him."
The next day Mr.. Welton renewed
this chance acquaintance by calling on
some pretext ut the cottage.
.sShe is kind To her invalid mother il
she is an accomplished coquette." he
mused. rs he wendcd his way home
ward. ''She is the Brrnice N1nlrnSe,
sure enough, for her mother called her
that; and l wonder who Burnie is,
whom the old lady was wishing for?'
Now that Mr.. Welton had begun the
siege he kept it up in real earnest; and
by and by he was an almost daily visi-
tor at the cottage.
I'm half tempted to fall in love with
her myself" he thought; ''but it is too
bad for Guy, he seemed SO much in
earnest; yet it is better for him to have
his eyes opened before it is too late"
"What an agreeable person Mr.. Estey
is! And he reminds me SO much of Guy"
said Bernice, in contemplating her ad-
mirer
Nearly month had elapsed before
Mr.. Welton had matured the plans he
had laid to prove the unworthiness of
Guys affianced.
''rll write her a proposal of marriage,
and her answer shall be the convincing
proof will take to Guy. All, women
are tickle creaturesn' he sighed, as he
sealed a note to Bernice.
1t was with some impatience that he
awaited her answer; but he had not
very long to wait, for soon it came in
dainty pale blue envelope, which he
hastily opened and read
DEAR Mr.. EsTEY;- THE avowal contained
in your note surprises while it pleases me, and
If you love the undersigned as truly as you
profess, she viii De only too happy to accept
"Yours wholly, BERNICE MELRosE.
''P. 8. have an explanation to make which
fdr siIeeTeiy R trust will not change your regard
"Well, we'll! What shall l do now?
If Guy were not my only child | would
knowing rs / do the treachery of Ber-
nice, would give as much rs Guy to
feel that she is honest. But I am cer-
tain she is older than Guy, and should
make more suitable husband for her.
But won't marry any one who would
deceive my boy; so Bernice, you have
lost both Of u.s."
Mr.. Welton wrote to Guy, saying he
would leave for home next day, and
that he was sorry for him; he would ex-
plain when he got home. He must call
and tell Bernice who he was, and then
she would understand why he went
away.
Very beautiful was Bernice Melrose
when she received Mr., Welton that eve
ming, and she didn't look like deceit
full person in her white dress and violet
ribbons. And who was the lovely girl
with her, who was the exact counter
part of herself, only so much younger
a child almost in years?
While Mr.. Welton was conjecturing
as to the identity of the beautiful Great
ure with golden curls, Bernice said
sweetly,-
''Mr. Estey, allow me to present to
you my daughter. Burnie, this is Mr..
Estey, about whom have spoken to
you"
.Your daughterp Really. I didn't
know you had child; but allow me to
contratulate you" And Mr.. Welton
gazed in admiration at the dainty girl
before him.
IL am Mrs. Bernice Melrose, and this
is Miss Bernice Melrose. When YOU
called me Miss Melrose, l thought it
would be amusing to have you think l
was "a young lady instead of a widow;
but had dreamed of what know now
should have undeceived you before"
''Nothing you would do would dis
please me; and as l have deceived you,
we are quits. l am Guy Welton's faith
er, and when l gave you the wrong card
that day thought would enjoy a lit
tie masquerade while getting acquaiat-
ed with Guys friends"
at must have been diamond cut
diamond affair, them" said Burnie, who
until now had been a mute listener.
"And you are the very dear friend of
my SON? If you are willing to have me
for a father, Bernie, l am more than
pleased to have such a lovely girl for
my daughter?'
Anu uOW uluSt CA my 4BlIcF
to Guy" soliloquized Mr.. Welton ON
his way to his boarding house that eve-
ming. "What simpleton l was to
doubt my Bernice; but love and suspic-
ion 60 hand in hand.
There was a sort of worried air about
Guy next day when his father greeted
him.
"Well, 1 suppose it is settled to your
satisfaction. Is she what you eNpected?"
asked Guy, impatiently.
"Ahem! No, not precisely. You sea.
Guy, you see-or rather the plain facts
of the case are, she is IL great deal more
than expected, and l am engaged to
her mother, and it all came about in this
way. / struck chance acquaintance
with Bernice Melrose-your Bernie, l
thought her-and kept up a lively fiirta-
ton until we got engaged; then she pre-
sented to me the sweetest girl in Chris
tendon RS her daughter, Bernice Mel
rose. And now, Guy, the house is
yours-that is, if you will take me for
..Fm astonished! But to fall in love
with persons named Bernice Melrose
seems to be family failing, so we had
better shake hands on the subject"
''Say family blessing, rather" inter-
posed Mr.. Welton.
Farther gone than l amn comment
ed Guy, sagely, while Il hearty hand
shake ended the vexing subject-name-
ly, Bernice Melrose.
cr1riouS avant has taken nlarp in the