The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-11-29

| lie hau not Deen gOuS Gcu H1lh'oof0 "
the village, after that momentous con
yersation, when there came the TIMES
of knocks to the door, and in respons
to Mrs. Dawson's ''come in!' there en-
tered-Miss Lillian Bourne herself.
Fresh from the spring woods, with
basket of the pale pink, trailing arbutus
which she herself had gathered, in he
hand.
But she paused on the threshold a
she saw the hardening lines around tn
mouth of Gilbert's mother.
''Am I in the wayP" she asked, tim
idly. Have / come at the wron!
time?'
''Pray, walk in," said Mrs. Dawson
trying to simulate the cordiality which
her soul refused to offer to the girl who
had broken her sons heart.
81 found these arbutus-stars in the
woods" said she. 81 knew you wert
fond of them. May put them in &
saucer of water for you?''
Mrs. Dawson assented, still without
much warmth of manner.
Il am much obliged to you," said
she, coldly.
Il hope Gilbert is well," said Lillian,
the color flaming hotly up into hel
| cheek
"Quite well, 1 thank you," said Mrs
Dawson. ''He is going to Mexico with
my brother, Mr.. Ravenburn, next week,
and is consequently very busy, because
- Why, what is the matter, Miss
| Bournep"
For Lillian had grown deadly pale,
| and uttered little cry. -.s
'It's-it's my TOOTH" she faltered.
cit has been filled,'a and sometimes the
cold air makes it jump SO dreadfully.
think I'll go home and put little
oil of peppermint on it, .-se...
And SO Lily slipped away, and cried
all the way home behind her veil. '
But by the time she reached her own
little room, however, sorrow had given
place to anger.
''What have | dope, that he should
treat me SOP" she asked herself with
indignant heart-beats.
And then she gathered up all his
presents bunch of withered rose
buds, tied with the faded blue ribbon,
the little agate cross, the copy of
"Aldrich's Poems," the peach-stone
basket that he had carved himself, and
the glittering crystals which he had
brought her from Diamond Island, and
the two or three little letters and notes
he had written her at one time and an
other.
Il will send them back!" she de-
clared. ''He may take them to Mexico
if he likes. L don't want them any
longer
By strange coincidence, however,
as she was setting forth to the village
postotlice with the neatly tied packet,
she met Mr.. Dawson himself
He stopped. She stayed her foot
steps also. They both colored, celes-
tial rosy red.
Il am glad l met you before you
went to Mexico!' said Miss Bourne,
haughtily.
Are youP" said Gilbert, trying his
best to appear like statue of ice.
81 wish to return you these things" :"
said Lillian. ''Of course, they're of no
consequence, but l thought perhaps
you would like them back again"
''Thanksr' said Gilbert, stiffiy "You
going to ask you for
'It's a pity you ever gave them to
me, since they meant so little,'' said
Lily, with a quivering lip.
'sIt is hardly worth while to discuss
that question now," said Gilbert. Il
can only hope that you will be very
happy with Squire Darling! And-''
.'I?'' cried Lily. "With Squire Dar-
ling? Why, what on earth have / got
to do with Squire Darling?"
"Aren't you engaged to him?" asked
Gilbert.
opp echoed Lily once again.
tLily, don't trifle with me-" sternly
uttered Dawson. 81 am in earnest.
Have you promised to be Rufus Dar-
ling's wife, or have you not?"
''Of course / haven't" said Lily, be-
tween tears and laughter. .'How could
/, when he never asked me. And if he
had"
yes" said Gilbert, with kindling
eyes; ''and if he had
81 should have said No." whisper
ed Lily.
'Why?" demanded Gilbert, imperi-
ously.
Lily hung down her pretty head.
Because" she faltered, ''because I
don't like him. Because I love some
body else"
Something there was in her look and
tone that set Gilbert Dawson's pulses
leaping madly through his veins.
''Lily!' he cried-"my Lily-ten me
whom it is that you love?''
And she answered, in a paroxysm of
bushes:
':You, Gilbert"
Miss Lorinda Larkins and her friends
were utterly amazed when they heard
that Gilbert and Lily were to be mar
ried as soon as Miss Peckham could
get the wedding-dress ready.
''Well,' Miss Lorinda cried, ''this
does beat all. We all s'posed, as much
as could be, that you was to be Mrs.
Squire Darling"
''Oh, yes," said Lillian, calmly; 81
heard something of that silly rumor.
Some gossip heard me say at Mrs.
Medbury's party that [ was engaged to
Squire Darling. So was. but it was
for quadrille only. It's surprising
how little it takes to set the silly
tongues of Pekasset weighing"
Miss Lorinda turned very red. She
would have liked to have boxed Lillian
Bourne's ears, but she dared not.
All she could say was:
..nl, VToI &,Il-