Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-12-18

told me so, but at first-
Il was blind, insane, irresponslblep
Charley cried. She is the noblest
woman l know. Yoa love her and
she loves you, Allan. / know it,
Impossiblel'
i tell you it is true
You are beside yourself, Charlie.
And if it we're true, what then? Two
days hence | shall marry Miss Merle.
No, you will notp Charley cried,
exc:tedly. You shall not wreck the
happiness of four livesl There is yet
time, Allan, retreat! You must
you SHALL Blanche Merle was to have
been my wife-not yours 1t is l
whom she loves-not you!'
You, Charley? Was it she who
Yes it was she! How dared you
attempt to steal her from meY
Allan's face was very white.
why did you not tell me before2'
he cried. DO not stand there railing
at me! will go to blanche at once.
Not without mel
You may come
They both presented themselves at
Miss Merle's an hour later, out Allan
asked to see her alone, and was shown
upstairs to the sitting room.
AS he drew aside the heavy portere
he started pack, for in the center oI
the room stood Miss Lindsey.
'Good.by, Blanche, she was saying
Il shall not be at the wedding, but
wish you every joy
Stay, Miss Lindsey Allan criec
out. 1 have something to say to you.
Mr.. Westlock!' she stammered
while every vlstage of color forsool
her lovely face, and Blanche stood by
in mute surprise.
Miss Merle, Allan went on, abrupt
ly, Il have known ever since you prom
ised to be my wife that had no hole
whatever upon your heart To-da.
| have heard what leads me to suppos
that you entered into your engage
ment with me in moment of pique
Is it true?'
Blanche sank down into chair, ant
covered her face with her hands.
At the same moment Charley Leon
ard confronted her with white anC
desperate face.
Tell him the truth before 1t is to-
later he said hoarsely. you love m
Blanche. You belong to mel
Yes, she gasped, finging hersel
upon his breast, and bursting int
tears. 'Oh, Charley, Charley! VIII
did you take me at my word? VIII
did you go away?
A look of unspeakable relief cam
, over Allans face.
Thank God it is not too late!' b
said fervently. Blanche you are fre'
Forgive me, but l have never love'
you. I-ah-Miss Lindsey, are yo
ill?
g The slight graceful figure swaye
: forward, and fell half -fainting into hi
= arms.
Come away!' Charley whispered
Y and Allan was left alone with ths
!; lovely white face resting on his breas
Her delicate eyelids Enclosed in
1t moment and she struggled to suppo
: herself.
= Sit down he said, drawing h
into chair. 'and tell me, once for a
s. did you mean what you said in th
n letter.?
|. Then he gave her the sheet to rea
Is There was some mistake, she Fl
tered.
" L wrote to you and to Blanche {
2 the same afternoon; l sent you part
l. her letter, aud her part of yours; b
1T indeed | did not say this--that-th
le - Oh, there was-something
the other sheet. l forget
le Allan caught her hand in his.
d, Nora, be said In deep thrillil
Ill tones, the loss of you nearly kill
me, for l worship you with my WHIT
s- soul! There has been some mlstal
but one thing you did say You So
ut you would not marry man you
= not love. Darling, may I-dare ] he
you will marry me?'
n He gathered her into his arms as
to spoke, and her lips were so close
could easily hear the half whisper
We sYesr ..
(which means?' he asked tender
n That | love you very much.
ng The last ray Of doubt was cleal
Do away when Blanche brought out
IN. letter to katch out what she called
lat epistolary puzzle.
- 'You know me too well to th
iss that | am only flirting with Mr.. We
lock, etc, was the way the letter re
nj then, and Allan was wholly satlsh
A sweet disposition is so excell