The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-08-09

and to inform her of the deception when
she had read it.
If she should have answered the
forged proposal in the inaflirmative!
The thought was too horrible to con-
template.
Perhaps the letter might be recovered
from the post-office.
But even as sire caught at this hope
with rapture, Lilis entered the room,
saying gleefully:
al was barely in time with my letter,
auntie."
s'Was your letter from Paul Raynorp
and did he propose? and did you accept
him?" enquired Zaida hurriedIy.
81 sec that Mr. Raynor has been con-
tiding in Fred and that Fred has shared
the confidence with his fiancee," laugh
ed Lilis. Eyes, to all your questions,
you impetuous Zedr
AS soon us Zaida swallowed a few
mouthfuls of dinner, she hurried to the
telegraph-oflice and sent a message to
Fred informing him of the present cris-
is, and begging him by fair means or
foul, to prevent Paul Raynor from read
ing Lilis's letter.
Gus young lawyer, like his friend Paul
Raynor, becoming tired of watching the
eVolutions of Il bluebottle in his Office
window and scribbling Zaida's name
over endless sheets of legal-cap, had
started on long country walk, SO the
telegram was laid on his desk by the Of
flee boy, where Fred found it on his re-
turn late in the afternoon.
''He's got the letter by this time,'' he
exclaimed in vexation. ''Confound it!
wish I'd had nothing to do with the
matter; but that witch of Zed can al
ways twist me around her little fin
GER. ..--.-.e as
He hastened to his friends lodging,
however, explained the matter, and
begged him 10 ''let the poor little girl
down as easily as he could"
"Why should let her down at all?''
enquired Paul coolly. 81 do love her,
and should have told her so last year
had it not been that was in no posi-
ton to marry. To-day, however, [ re-
ceived letter informing me that
grand-unclc. whose existence have al
most forgotten, had died and left me
considerable legacy. So my affairs wear
a new aspect, you see."
Fred joyfully telegraphed to Zaida:
sPaul got the letter, but it's all right. Keep
-0' FIRED"
And it would have been '.all right
if others besides Zaida had "kept whist"
if Molly, the ''bonny wee lass,' who
''helped with the housework, but who
would have bounced out of the house in
dudgeon if she had been called SER
want, had not innocently marred mat
tors at the suppertable.
$50 you did get fooled after ALL" she
Uttered, as she brought in n relay of
hot waffies.
mo, indeed!' laughed Lilis, to whom
she had addressed her remark.
"Oh, come now," demonstrated Mol
lie, 'syou needn't pretend that you
didn't. | was sitting on the side-porch,
sewing and Zaida's window was open,
so heard every word she and the Law
ton girls said.'
Zaida tried in vain to stop her tongue,
for Lilis insisted upon hearing all the
details of the conspiracy.
When Mollie had finished, Lilas was
pale to the lips. She threw one glance
at Zaida which, if glances could with
er, would have shriveled her to the SEM
blance of an Egyptian mummy, and
swept from the room.
Zaida flew at Mollie like an exasper-
ated hornet, and shook her till her hair
pins flew out and her teeth ratified.
You're the one that ought to be
shaken, Zaida," said Mrs. Lawtoh,
aghast, as she famed herself with a ia
BILE mat. ''You must 90 and make peace
with Lilis right away
Zaida would gladly have done so, but
Lilis had bolted her door and would ad-
init no one.
When she came down to breakfast,
she announced her intention of taking
the noon train for her home
Tears and entreaties could not dis
suade her from this resolution but Zaida
again had recourse to the telegraph
wires.
As the noon train from the West
thundered into the station, y gentleman
in linen duster sprang on the platform
and intercepted a closely-veiled girl in
a grey traveling-Illster, just as she was
about to enter II car.
'.Your' she cried, shrinking from
him with pitiful gesture of humilia-
ton.
Eyes me- he returned. hurrying her
into the deserted waiting-room and
gently removing her veil. ''Did you
suppose was going to wait idly and let
my bonny bird take flight? Lilis, as you
now know, l did rot write that letter,
but love you with all my heart, and I
ask you now to marry me. Tell me you
will,'' he pleaded, ''for my happiness
depends upon your answer
She lifted her eyes to his and searched
them, as if she would discover whether
truth lay at the bottom of those wells of
brown light.
She appeared satisfied with the results
of her scrutiny, and Paul Raynor bore
the fugitive in triumph to her distracted
aunt and cousin.
''You'll forgive us, won't you?
pleaded Flossie, Meg, and Zaida, kneel-
ing before her in a moist-eyed, penitent
row.
And how could she withhold her par
don from those three pretty fates, who
had, at least, hastened the weaving in
the web of her life of its golden central
pattern?
She Raised Them All.