The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-07-19
HEART TO HEART.

ALBANIA 4~ AAnn4s
Drawing the soft fur of her wral
closer about her, Alice Howard pause
on the doorstep while she watts kis
from the tips of her gloved fingers to tn,
old gentleman who is standing watching
her with such q pleased proud expires
sion.
Goodbye, papa dear. 1 do wish 20,
wero going. But don't worry about me
Mrs. Grayson is the best of chaperons
and she will see that your little cir
comes back safely. Goodbye" :"
Another moment and the carriage
door has closed, and Alice is being whirl
ed to the festive scene of which she viii
be the bright particular star.
It Is not because she is rich that oul
heroine Is the favorite that she is, mol
yet because she is beautiful, although
the most indifferent observer would pro
nounee her that, with the queenly grace
of her bearing, and her face with its
brilliant sapphire-blue Dyes, and her Skin
as purely fair and downy as the velvety
petals of 9 white rosebud.
But it is something besides that at.
tracts everyone to Alice Howard, fol
goodness and amiability are stamped up.
On each exquisite feature, proc1aimine
unmistakably the existance of noble
character beneath that fair exterior.
She looks more than usually lovely to.
night, and there is one whose dark eyes
light up with peculiar glow as they
rest admiringly upon her.
1t is two years since Douglas Rhodes
and Alice first met, and their friendship
since then has pursued an even, unevent-
full course, until of late q change has
come.
Alice sees that upon no other do Doug
lass handsome eyes rest with such q
gentle tenderness of expression, and
Chat when he speaks the softest, richest
tones of his voice are for her alone.
Why 1t is 80 Is riddle not hard to read.
That Douglas loves her she feels and
hopes, for she knows that within her
own heart the tendrils of her warm
young affection have long since twined
themselves about his image.
The hours glide rapidly and delight
fully by upon pleasure s radiant pinions,
amid sweet sounds and sweeter scents
"My darling! my queen!' the young
man thinks rapturously, ''this night
must not pass over my head without my
telling her how deeply, fervently love
her. l can .wait no longer"
But Mrs. Grayson proves to be the
most rigid of chaperOns, and no oppor-
tunity occurs long enough for Douglas
to utter the words that trcmble upon his
lips.
.'Have you enjoyed yourselfP" he
asks, as he stands with his hand on the
carriage door.
Alice draws deep breath. 1T has
been lovely!' she exclaims.
''May come tomorrow morning tt
see how you are feeling after your fati.
guef" he asks.
.'Do look fatigued nowP'' she says,
raising her lustrous brillisnt eyes laugh
ingly to his.
II cannot truthfully say that you do, y
he replies with an answering smile
s'But all the same, with your permission
1 will call in the morning"
The next day the Howard mansion il
the scene of two momentous interviews
one in the library with the master O.
house, and another in the tapestry hung
drawing-room.
AhCIO 10 q SlObS DoW Rb OlAS
end of the apartment, and there, witt
no other listeners than the lilies, thai
lift their snowy heads from the jardi,s
ieres, and the maiden by his side a:
stately fair as they, Douglas tells hi
story and receives his answer.
A month slips away, and it is s
changed Alice we see to-day, with tht
carnation gone from checks and lips, ant
great tears in the sapphire-blue eyes.
''Be brave, my own; it will not be fol
long"
'iBut. Douglas, / cannot be brave! i
has come 80 unexpectedly, and you art
going 80 far, SO very, very far away
What if something should happen to par
US from each other?"
Douglas draws her closer to him ant
kisses her tear-Wet face.
What could happen, my darlingl
What could ever come between US save
death alone? Surely you know, Alice
that nothing could have induced me tt
go SO far from you were it not that
felt that it would be tempting Provi
dence to reject such an advantageous
opening. A year will not be long pass
ing, and then, my dear, can return will
the wings of love 10 your side"
So they part, and Douglas goes to th'
distant country whittier bright prospect
of certain fortune have allured him
The year glides slowly along to Alice
whose happiest hours are those bright
ened by reading Douglass frequent let
ters. But suddenly they cease to come
and months intervene, and still she hear
naught of the lover who, by this time
was to have been once more with her
Then the maiden's heart sinks within
her tender breast as she remembers hi
emphatic words:
Nothing can come between US saw
death alone"
Twelve months more of anxious wait
ing fail to bring any news, and then on
day servant brings to Alice II card up
on which is engraved an old foreign
name.
AS she enters the drawing-room an
her caller rises, Alice thinks that move
before have her eyes rested upon beaut.
30 dazzling.
.I am from Russia" the stranger ex
plains in correct English, though with
decided foreign accent, sand am winter
ing here in England with some friends
On hearing your name recognised
as one have often heard upon the lip
of my betrothed, Mr.. Rhodes. When
left home he asked me, if by chance
should meet you, if would give this t
you from him."
Here she hands a sealed envelope t
Alice, who has been listening, scarcel
crediting her own powers of hearing
Who is she, this darkly handsome strang
orp And vuhok Hnao ho ,a,oor, hu anQa Il