The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-03-21


preston with which he regarded me
showed me that l had been mistaken
when ! had thought his old fancy for me
had died, and saw at once that he had
not heard of my engagement. 1t was a
painful surprise to me, for had grown
to value his friendship; but felt must
not let the moment pass without telling
him of my betrothal.
81 took the rose, and looking up into
bis face, said:
Certainly will accept it, Mr.. Wynd
cote, as an assurance Of the friendship
you bear me, and also as an earnest of
the congratulations you will give me
when you hear of my approaching mas
rage
His face paled and he started violent
ly, and was just about TO speak when the
gate swung back, and around the great
rose bush which concealed the road from
our view by its blossom-freighted bran
ches, came Robert. His gsz, wandered
from Mr.. Wyndcote's pallor and agita-
tion to my flushing face, and then to the
rosebud which l still held in nv hand !;
then, without any words, but with look
such as ! had never seen in his face be-
fore, he left US and proceeded to the
house.
"Mr. Wyndcote held out his hand and
| could see that 1t trembled.
81 fear, Miss Doris, that I have
caused trouble between you and your
lover, but you can explain and make it
right. Will you shake hands with me
1t will be for the last time. / was fool
ish TO imagine that, rejected once, | still
might hope. But you are MT in fault;
have only my own blindness to blame
"As l walked to the house my heart
was very heavy, for the way in which
Arthur Wyndcote had borne himself had
increased fourfold my respect for him.
81 was not at all prepared for the stern
reproof which | found awaiting. me.
Conscious | had meant no wrong,f did
not stop TO think tha: to lockers on ac-
tions speak louder than words, appear
ances than deeds. Never bad l known
Robert to be so angry, and looking back
| can see that he had cause, for he had
known OF Mr.. Wvndcote's former pro-
posal to me, and that / had met him
again at nv annt's house. aud he keenly
felt the difference which existed betw en-
a poor mechanic and the owner Of a
large estate
"His distrust angered me and sealed
nv lips. A girls heart is full o! con-
tradictions, end though I knew the
strength of my love for him, msde up
my mind to punish him for his lack Of
faith in me. and 81 nswered him back
pettishly. instead of speaking in way
that would instantly have shown him his
mistake. Thus We parted
"My last words to him were much the
same as you said to Ernest:
81 am glad we have found out we
were mistaken in each other, Robert, be-
fore it would be too late.'
when next saw him-oh, little one, ,,
the rest is hard to tell
The very next day the train of which
nv lover was the driver came into colli-
sion with an express, and only owing to
his bravery and presence OF mind was
any one spared to relate the direiul s!o-
ry.
81 heard it from the mouth of friend
who was an eyewitness.
"As my lovers train rounded curve
he saw another one coming at fearful
rate Of speed.
20 Kicker than a fish Robert under
stood the situation, and saw the only
chance there was for escape.
"Escape for the rest, bat not for him !
He knew that he was doomed in ans
event; but there was possibility Of
saving the passengers.
"With rapid spring, and the exertion
of his whole strength, he uncoupled the
locomotive from the rest of the train.
Then came a wild thud; terrible crash
OF splintering iron; and the collidine
locomotives leaped high in the air. Or
course the rest of the train followed
but the momentum had been broken by
the detachment OF the engine, which re-
ceived the worst of the injury, while the
terror stricken passengers, though much
shaken up, and some Of them badly
bruised, escaped with their lives--5ut by
the sacrifice Of as brave and heroic a
soul as God ever made!
'sThey found him some yards away
crushed and bleeding; but still alive
still conscious.
"'Dorris! Dorrls!' was bis cry; and
thither they brought me. He could not
move 10 greet me; but he knew me. His
lips parted as l leaned over him and
pressed passionate kisses upon his brow.
"'Then you do love ne, and did not
mean your last words!' he whispered
brokenly.
"sMean them! Oh. Robert! God
knows l would give my life If they could
be unsaid! replied.
"He seemed satisfied, but only for a
moment Then be looked up and / un-
derstood the inquiry in his eyes; and
calmly as / could told him the mean
ing Of the scene he had witnessed be-
tween Arthur WYndcote and myself.
"With my kisses yet warm upon his
lips, he sank into unconsciousness.
"Jennie! oh, Jennie beware Of these
Misunderstanding between two who
love each other. My first was nv last :;
and the cold, cruel words with which l
parted from nv lover have left in nv
heart a,sting which l shall carry to my
grave"
The old lady paused; her story WAS
ended.
For moment there was silence; then
Jennie sprang from ber seat, and fling
ing her young arms around her aunt's
neck, she kissed again and again the
withered check.
Goodbye for little while, aunty
dear. l am going 10 my own room TO
write to Ernest; when l have finished !
will come back
The old lady was left alone, and as
she wiped away the tears which her r,-
trospect had brought to her eyes, q
tremulous smile hovered around her lips
for, although it had cost her an effort to
uplift the veil from the sad past which
for long years had been shrouded from
ali other eJ es but her own, she felt tha
it had not been in vain.
II -------A
A telegraph man went TO a concert
The violinist played very nicely, hold
ino hjp audipnca anpll hound until snd