The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-10-18

~ amazed W0Cn one evening, us L UTeW
near the little house which was my tenn
porary abiding place, a tall form strobe
toward me out of the darkness and a
hearty voice cried out:
Jim! Jim Hillr'
"What is it?' l replied with a half
nervous start.
'Ah! / thought it was my old friend.
Have you forgotten Tom Byrne"
OF course not for had met him occa-
sionally since we were boys, and | WAS
heartily glad to see my former comrade,
always one of the best of companions.
II saw your name on the book ut the
inn, he explained;' and was sure it must
be you. At any rate thought l would
start out to meet YOU
''But how came you here?" inquired,
sin this out of the way corner of the
world
because it is out of the way. Ma
bel and are making u trip in search
of the picturesque. You know she is
quite an artlstP'
SO Mabel was with him. MY heart
gave II curious thump, and for Il mo-
ment | could hardly make sensible
reply.
Yes" he went on; '.she is so devoted
her life. She has not thought of mar
riage, and does not care in the least for
the ordinary run of society. She will
be glad to see you. though" " he added
consolingly, "as you are a man OF
science"
We walked back together to the little
inn. and presently | was shaking hands
with beautiful and stately woman.
hr.ifrh ayE flu Wit
the strange intensity and fire that [ had
of Mabel Byrne.
She greeted me very cordially. and
after we three had taken an evening
meal together 'sra followed delight
full evening in the ttIe parlor that Tom
and his sister had secured.
For once in my life l felt myself
quite at ease in Il lady's society. In the
first place there was Tom to keep me in
countenance by predoninance of my
own sex in the company, then Mabel
did not expect me to talk of airy moth
ings, that light foam of the social whirl-
pool which never yet had been able
to skim. She spoke first of my scientific
pursuits; she showed so much knowl-
edge of the subject that l really found
thusiasm of the formation of the coun-
try, and especially of the glacial system
and the curious marks of its action
borne by the specimens | had collected.
She, in turn, contributed TO the even
ing's interest by telling me of her work.
and showing me ner sketches, which
were really of very high order of
artistic merit There was no school
girl weakness ins her handling of the
brush, but a force and poetic thought
that had won her already honorable
recognition in the world of art.
''And you have never heard of Mabel S
paintings until now?' asked Tom.
NO" l confessed. ''You know
have been quite absorbed in my special
studies"
Yes, and you have not seen Mabel
for ever so long, have you?"
No" l replied, mot since that sum-
mer ten years ago, when l was at my
grandmother 81
Jolly times we had, too" said Tom,
refectively. Remember that party ~
Mrs. Edward s?''
A sudden rush of blood to my face
utterly confused me. I stammered a
| reply, and Tom, to my relief, went OF
with some rambling "reminiscences. 1t
| was some seconds before / dared to look
at Mabel. Surely she was blushing,
| too.
The next morning we all went on q
| trip up the slopes of the mountain.
| Mabel in Il short, gray suit, alpine hat,
| and stout boots; Tom carrying her
| drawing materials. Thus we made this,
and many another, delightful expedi-
| ton.
Life took on new colOrs for me. There
was radiance and glory about it that
| had never dreamed of before. Every
| day found fresh reason for admiring
my beautiful companion, and our walks
through the deep valleys and up the
rough mountain sides were to me like
enchanted journeys through a realm of
| fairies. In this loveliest country in the
world, with this most glorious woman
by my side, | was, indeed, as one trans
figured by the light of the grand pas
sion that took possession of my soul.
At first / knew not what had befallen
me- | thought only that my pleasure
in Mabel's society sprang from simil-
arity of tastes and pursuits, aud the
charm of her conversation; but gradu-
ally woke to the overwhelming fact
that loved her with tue one great love
OF my life, that seemed to me now to
dare from the days of long ago, 20 have
been always with me, and to stretch out
into the future TO make it transcendent-
edly glorious, or long despair.
And vet as soon as | had learned my
secret, my former bashfulneSs came back
up IN me with tenfold intensity, and
found myself often embarrassed in hel
presence, while at the thought of tell
ing her my hearts story, though my
brain was smitten through with dazzling
, delight at the dream of successful WOO
= ing, yet [ was SO overwhelmed tina
utterance would, as | was sure, be al
impossibilty.
! And Mabel? Her eyes were verN
kind to me- They turned to me with ;
{ softened luster that thrilled me will
hope; and yet, if | attempted even
, |, compliment, l blushed, tloundered, ant
. was lost.
One evening we were talking OF al
manner of subjects. grave and gay, ant
= = SO strayed to marriage in general an
. = especially to the matrimonial lot Q
] some of our old friends.
You remember Boyd, don't you
i HillP" asked Tom. -,
Tall. bashful fellow, like meP'
% added.
Yes" replied Tom, laughing. .'H
q married Miss Cutting, our former schoo
teacher. always thought she propos
Il ed to him."
< Sensible girlr' L exclaimed .
n think it is positively woman
:. duty sometimes to help man ou
u You remember the book OF tn
late py. Horace Bushnell publishs