The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-08-16
TOO SURE OF HIM.

III was an exquisite l1GIie piece oI Ot-
joutcrie, of small size and most perfect
oval form, with just that rare dainty
tint of pink that one so seldom sees and
always admires in coral.
Across it, on one side, were narrow
bands of yellow gold; on the reverse
side, an elegantly-w wrought monogram
of beautiful design-''W. W.'-of tiny
diamonds.
Harry Arlington looked tenderly at
the locket as it lay on his palm, his
grand earnest face wearing an express
sion of unwonted passion as he exam
ined the initial letters of the girl who
was dearest of all the fair women on
earth to him-the fair gentle girl whose
lovely face and winning ways had
touched his heart SO accurately, and
gave him to feel the strength of his own
manhood, that he had surely come to
believe, in thirty-five years of cold in
difference TO woman s charms, was new
| er to respond TO loves demands.
'.Winnie! Winniet'-
He repeated the sweet name caress-
ingly, eagerly, and then replaced the
gift he intended for her in its blue silk
en- nest.
If | were not such a cowardr' he
thought, as ne walked down the shady,
quiet avenue, as he waited with digni-
fed patience i'll the cool parlor of the
mansion where this girl lived.
Above stairs he heard the occasional
fall of light feet; then a rustling of soft
feathery drapery; then a heraldry of
wood violets, and then his heart gave
great bounds as Winnie came into his
presence-a royalty magnificent girl,
who carried her nineteen years of maid
enhood as a duchess wears her straw
berry leaves--a girl with clear, pale
white complexion, whose ivory pure
ness w:ts only relieved by warm scarlet
lips, curved III conscious -hauteur that
belied the tender sweetness of her inner
nature, with dark shiny hair eoif1ed in
a soft low Grecian knot at the base of
her classic head, with eyes like dusky
stars, and heavy arching brows of soft
est ebon.
Arlington arose reyerently.
''Miss Warrenn'
She gave him her hand in unstudied
welcome.
''This is good of you, Mr.. Arlington.
was wondering whether you would go
away without word y
y
possible? Or, Miss Winnie. am to be
judged even by your doubts, rs capable
of doing what you might do under the
same circumstances"
She smiled.
She was radiant when she parted her
proud lips, and allowed the pearly
teeth to display themselves, and one
deep dimple nestled in the pale fairness
of her cheek.
81 certainly hope I should not have
denied your congo, especially as youl
absence will be SO prolonged -
1--WE shall miss you sadly, Mr.. Ar
lington. / do wonder who in the world
| shall dance the redowa with? Oul
steps were so perfectly matched"
A thrill of pain seized him.
Could she really be regretful of his
departure when she entertained such
frivolous ideas?
His face grew graver, and the hopes
that for moment had grown SO raptur-
iously in his heart died again.
.'Believe me, l think regret my sep
aration from-from my friends more
than can express.
.From you, Miss Winnie, particularly
so much that think that shall lay
claim to q continuance of our friend
ship by begging you to accept little
token of remembrance"
If he had only dared say what was al
most crying out for utterance!
Ii he only dared to pour out at her
gracious feet all the love that was surg
inc so madly through his veins.
But her quiet. unresponsive face, her
faint surprised smile, froze the confess
sion awaiting birth on his lips.
His hand trembled ever So slightly as
he handed her the locket, half hiding
its tender pinkness among the blue
cushions Her artist eyes caught the
perfect contrast of tints, and she
reached her hand almost eagerly for it.
This for me2 Oh, how exquisite,
how perfect! Surely, Mr.. Arlington,
this is TOO costly for me to wearp'
If she had only given him one glance,
if her clear voice had only quivered a
note! But no; there was no chance for
him to assure her that all the world
were too mean to lay at her feet.
You will wear it for my sakeP'
He ventured SO far, frowning down
any passion that would have leaped in
to his voice, half alarmed stshe should
refuse the gift on account of those very
words.
Il thank you very much. | will wear
it because you request it., Mr.. Airing
ton Will you fasten it to my watch
chain, please?"
Only that for answer--nothing more.
His dearest hopes crushed by Winnie 8
quiet conventional tones, her quiet con-
ventional words.
He bowed his handsome head as he
attached the charm to her chain, think
inc. the while, how foolish, how pre-
sumptuous he had been to think this
Girl was for him, to dare suppose for a
moment she could love such a one as
himself, then swearing to his own heart
| to crush its sweet secret out before it
had time to grow stronger.
And Winnie, struggling with all her
| strength to regulate the. hurried beating
of her nnruly heart, as she looked shy
ly at Harry Arlington handsome head,
| with its glory of close-cut, half-curling
hair of shadowy brown, at his large,
strengthful white hands, asked her in
mad anguish if he neverswould love
| her, never take her in the arms she fair
ly hungered to feel clasped around her.
And thus, as he gave the locket the
final attachment, she hastily winked
away the hot tears that had rebelliously
mustered in her eyes, lest he should see
through her mask of pride and stateli-
ness the hopeless passion that burned
beneath.
"It is beautiful! Thank you. Mus
you go?'
| For he had gone towards the door
feeling how useless further tarryins
was. ..Ee
II must 90. Goodbye in it's fulles
sense, Miss Winnie, until return, "
I He bowed, gave her his hand, ant
was gone for twelve long, long months
4 And Winnie, with the rebellious tear
rushing into open mutiny now, kisse,
the unconscious bond that united them
as she would have kissed him who gave it
''He wished me goodbye in its fulles
sense, my darling! And it means
prayer, a blessing. God be with you!
May God be with him and return hin