The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-05-22
so RUNS THE WORLD AWAY.
BY MYSELF.

1t was simple lovers quarrel; but
between these two particular persons
| lovers quarrel, or in fact quarrel of
any kind meant more than such dis
turbances usually do with the general
run of lovers. Nora Wexford was proud
as she was stately; and Richard Vernes
equally so. Every feature of his honest
face betrayed the fine sensibilities that
indicate the very perfection of strong,
manly passion, masculine tenderness
and unyielding pride.
They quarreled over trifle. About
what else do lovers quarrel?
perhaps, Nora, had best see you
when you are in q better humor," he
was saying.
LAS you please"
"You ask me to go, then?" he de-
manded, hotly.
No." she replied quietly, with lips
that trembled with their pride.
'But you want me to go?'' the fool
ish man persisted.
The speech was certainly provOca-
tive of taunt and tauntingly was it
answered. e
you say 1 do" said Nora.
In an instant he was away from her
side, and with quick, angry strides
reached the door. She arose and sur
veyed him with stolid, naughty gaze,
She seemed about to say something,
but the bitter words were left unuttered,
dying on her lips. For he had turned.
in momentary pause, and was look
ing at her with flashing eyes. There
was in that look all the hauteur, pride
and defiance, contending with longing
anguish and imploring love, that Rich
ard Vernes' burning soul was capable
of. 1t was q lock that she must re-
member to her dying day Yet she
stood there silent, in her cool, freezing
way. Would she never speak? Yes.
Her mouth trembled into utterance,
and her lips quivered over the words.
He waited eagerly to hear.
At this juncture light step was
heard to approach the drawing-room
and Mrs. Welford tapped gently on the
door. 1t was opened by Vcrnes, who
had regained his composurc on the in
stant
''You are not going so soon, Rich
ard?" she asked quietly i'll her pleasant,
hOmelike tones.
Now if Nora Wexford, with all her
stateliness and pride, could have look
ed out and beyond that little room, and
if her tender soul could have pene-
trated the future, of how many heart
aches could she nave robbed the prod
igal devil who stood holding them over
her destiny; how many bitter moments
had been taken out of her life to come;
how much happiness would have been
hers. But, alas! she was human, not
divine; and not knowing that the hor-
oscope of her life lay in her own pow
er, she held to her pride with that FEM
mime tenacity OF purpose that is often
as commercially as it may be repre-
hensibly fatal.
"You are not going SO soon, Rich
ard?" Mrs Wexford was saving.
Vernes looked TO Nora. Nora looked
to her mother. An embarrassing
pause. and then she murmured, cow
ard that she was:
'Mr Vernes has q business en-
gagement tonight, | believe"
ale will return again soon, L trust,
said her mother.
The lie had scarcely left her lips
when Nora saw her mistake. But the
words were said and it was too late to
recall them.
Another look, shorter and more
searching than the other, low bow.
and Vernes was gone.
''IIe will return Tomorrow" she
said to herself bravely.
Il thought 1 loved a woman" he
muttered bitterly, when he reached his
rooms. 81 find loved block of ice.
Ice doesn't have hearts like we flesh
and blood" he continued, with forced
laugh at his melancholy wit. "Rich-
ard Vernes, you have wasted good
| year of your precious life on q fair face,
a lovely mind, pure woman; but you
never had her heart. Humph! Corpus
sine pectOre. Perhaps she has neither
heart nor SOU"
Here, john" he called. ''Pack
my valise. | am thinking of making
necessary business trip to New York
tonight"
Next day he telegraphed for his out
fit and trunks. In q week he was on
his way to Europe.
You see this man Richard Vernes
was somewhat of a philosopher. He
reasoned that woman who loved must
sacrifice all minor considerations to
her love; not to him, but to the senti-
ment which if she possessed it, rightly
demanded supreme control over her
likes and disIikes; and thus by corolla-
ry he concluded the estimable Nora,
possessing more pride than love, was
not for him. And with this calm, de-
liberate reasoning of the man, all YES
tiges of his once fervent love were
swept away, leaving in his heart moth
ing but dull, empty feeling of sadness
and sorrow. Reason is ever fatal to
love; because, doubtless, there is no
reason in love.
He did not pause to think that he
had been proud, too. And thus two
souls, reveling in blissful trust, happi'
ness and love, drifted apart, because
of little pride. not knowing that the
most tender lovers are the proudest,
most suspicious and cautious.
Nora began to wish she could see him
again. Three days had passed and nc
word, no sign, rs yet. At a neighbor'
reception shortly afterwards pert
saucy mink walked up to her and said
boldly:
'My dear Nora, why have you sem
our adorable Captain Vernes off to Eu
rope?" ,
passing OIL tne lnSolenC 'o1uSaIioii " ~
knowing laugh. This was the hrs
time she had neard.
"Well, [ am glad that sent him OIL
rather than that he should break will
me-" she mnrmured. Pride still sway
ed outwardly the body in whose hear
love lay submerged in tears; pride still
kept the tears at her will, and Nor'
knew that she would never cry out o.
make a sign
Years, with their fleet winging, fey
bv, but she remained the same good
true woman. Her pride was shattered
long ago, and her mind was now tixe'
on the determination of a martyr-lIk