The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-11-08

then demand for repetition.
The girl looked up into the face OF
her companion singer, and he returned
the look. Certainly there was some
thing more in the look than the mere
question of singing. But never mind.
They sang the passage over again, and
before the evening was over they sang 1t
third time.
A few evenings later the choir met
for another rehearsal, this time at the
house of the old clergyman of the par
ish; and here the tenor and soprano not
only sang a duet together from an an
them, but they were persuaded to sing
also several other songs arranged for
two voices.
On that evening at q late hour,
George escorted Lucy Spear to her
home. 1t was short distance. out they
walked very slowly, and made it long
enough for a great deal of conversation.
And from that conversation it would
seem that each was endeavoring to
sound the depth and analyze the quality
of the mind of the other. And while
Lucy found her companion to be far SUI
perior to the average man of his class
equal, in fact to any man she had ever
met-he found her to be girl of eXcep-
tionally pure and exalted feelings, of
remarkable intelligence, and an educa-
ton of the highest order
That evenings walk was an event to
be remembered by both of them; and
it proved to be a turning-point in their
lives.
On Christmas evening George Bar
rows asked Lucy if she could love him
we'll enough to become his wife.
Said he, holding her hand and gazing
frankly, lovingly, and trustfully into
her face:
Il cannot say when it shall be. My
dear mother is with me, and must be to
me holy charge while she lives. Aud
l trust she may live many, many years
think you would love her. l know
she would love you. My sister, alas! /
fear I shall not keep much longer.
She is failing. and the doctors cannot
help her.
Lucy! dear girl! l love you-love
you! oh, more than | can tell; and my
heart has been all your own since first
| knew you. l am doing well in my
business now. AS soon as | can get
enough ahead TO purchase my partner S
interest, and take in his share or inter-
est in the planing-mill at the Falls;
shall feel safe to marry. 1t may be
some time yet-perhaps year; but,
dear Lucy, if you will tell me that you
love me, even little, and will love me
more by-and-by-'
''Is that the way you began to love?"
the girl asked, with an arch look, but
with tears in her eyes, nevertheless
n nH
out to you it was your own for ever
more"
And then, with frankness and
strength of love he had not expected,
the generous, true-hearted girl reached
up and drew down his face and kissed
him, and then rested her head upon his
bosom, whispering, in happy, joyous
strains:
81 have loved you George from the
first, and l will be your wife whenever
you are ready to take me-"
Thus far they had spoken very calm
ly and sepsbly; but during the next
half-hour, their conversation was of in
in all probability, it would have sound
ed sensible to nobody else.
By-and-by Lucy asked him about the
planning of which he had spoken.
He explained to her that il was a
large establishment, with one of the
best water-powers in the county. There
was a saw-mill running six saws, a
clapboard and shingle mill, a large
planning mill, where all sorts of work
was done, usually turned off by water
power machinery for carpenters use;
also carding-mill,a "a grist and Touring
mill.
at would be q very nice piece of
property to own, wouldn't itP' the girl
said with the air of one who appreciat-
ed the value of the property.
'Oh," calculated George with an in
tense longing in his look, ''there are
two or three Independent fortunes in
the whole thing! Thatis-moderate for
tunes. But the planning mill is sepa-
rate piece of property, and my partner,
Mr.. TOwne, owns a third of it; and even
that is valuable. 1t is 4 great help to
u.s.
"Well, | wish you could own 1t,
George; and | wish could help you to
purchase it. But, dear love, when you
shall have obtained it. l will try to help
you take care of it; as | will help take
care of your home. George, let us not
wait too long. l can be braver than you
think. Let us not throw away these
happy years of our youth.
He pressed her to his bosom. and told
her he would think the matter over-it
was all new TO him-he would confer
with his mother, he could not move
against her wishes, and he would de-
eide very soon.
But Lucy herself did the comforting
with the widow. She called upon her,
became a daily visitor, and Mrs. Bar
rows fell in love with her, as her son
had done. So the consent of the moth
| er WAS theirs at any moment.
At midnight, rs the old year was dy-
ing, with the last moments of the last
dav of December, the bell of the village
church awoke the air with its wild
alarum! And very shortly thereafter,
the lurid light that hung above the set
tlement told of II conflagration.
On tho morning of New Years Day,
George called to speak to Lucy Spear,
and his eyes were red with weeping.
The large shop belonging to Mr.. Towne
and himself, and containing all theil
tools, had been burned flat to the
ground.
Alas! and alas! Lucy, it is a sad
blow. But l can struggle up. an
young, and strong, and well, and my
courage is good; but, ah. we must wait
dear love, for our homer'
Have you lost much, George, by
this fire?"
''Everything that owned in my bus
mess, darling; but my mothers home
thank heaven, is clear, That l have
never mortgaged."
The girl gazed into her lovers fact
for little time in silence, and evident
ly n struggle was going on within. A
length she took both his hands, and ,
wondrous light shone in her azure eye
and upon her lovely face. 1t was lik'
the full effulgence of the MONDAY sui
breaking through the departing mists.
George! der love! true heart! L will
keep you in ignorance no longer.
knew that you could not live in idlenes
SO l have caused to be bought all TIL
property at the Falls of Ayr. All tn
mills, the stores, the shops, and tn
twenty odd cottages, are your own
made over to you legally, and the deed
all properly recorded. Dear love! m