The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-11-13

no, GEAR, that ism I what mean.
But understand the Judyth sisters,
and the Crawfords, and the Watchleys
are among the invited guests, and. Ida
frankly, would rather you would
not associate with such people
A saucy, cold little smile answered
him
''On that point, as on several others,
we do not agree.
But you won't go, Ida? To oblige
me, dearest. | ask it as personal IA
yor"
If his manly patience and consider
ate tenderness touched her, she gave
no sign.
sic, the moonlight, the dancing, the
river-I worship them all. 1t will be
! like living dream-Fd not miss it for
! all the world"
He looked gravely at the sweet de-
! fiant face, all afiush, and asked himself
after all, was Beth right when she
said men so recklessly marry girls,
knowing SO little, really, of them?
"You must do just as you please, Ida.
But, remember, if you go in the very
face of my disapproval shall construe
it into meaning but one thing"
And his slow patient speech only
made Ida more wilful than ever.
go? OF course I'll go, mamma"
she said, after Warren had gone. IF
Floyd does not like it, can't help it!
/ told you he must take me as / am, or
else leave mer'
And go she did-the fairest, sweetest
of them all in her white lawn dress, SO
daintily made by her own deft fingers,
and she danced to her hearts content,
laughed and sang, while, under all, she
was unspeakably miserable.
'Half-a-doZen of us are going ashore
for fifteen minutes ramble, to get
some spring water" Clara Crawford
said. Isn't the captain good-natured,
Ida? We want you to go too. Gomez"
And not pausing to consider the mat
ter, Ida followed the little group just
rushing over the gangway plank.
wait minute, girls! Clara, Isa-
bel, where are you?"
For in the sombre darkness of the
forest that reached to the rivers edge,
Ida had lost sight of the forward part
of the party.
''It's all right, Ida, don't be in such
hurry! They've taken a cross-cut
Clara knows of, but I'll escort you by
another road know of. Take my arm,
won't you?"
1t was Paul Crawford's voice, close
in her ear-Paul Crawford with whom
she was alone, in the dark, lonely
place!
THANK you, I'm going back to the
boat" she said sharply, angrily. Il
don't like to be here
with me, you mean?" And he
laughed unpleasantly. "But l am of
different opinion. like both the place
and the company exceedingly well, and
Clara has played the game into my
hands even better than | dared hope
There they go now, back to the boat
hardly had time to sample the spring
water, have they?"
At the same instant the whistle
shrieked.
''There isn't second to lose Wen
be leftr' she cried breathlessly.
Exactly. We will be left, just as |
Ida, planting himself resolutely in the
so. Ida; we won't stay here long. l
happen to know OF very pleasant fam
| ily who live not mile from here, and
wen spend the evening there, and have
the waltz You denied me on the way
up All Ldil III loNCs lou hhOhs my
proud little duchess"
A wild shrek came from Ida's pale
lips, and before her quivering mouth
had closed. tall stalwart figure step
| ped up beside her, and Paul Crawford
fell like log to the ground.
1--WE haven IL second to lose; come,
Ida!"
And Floyd Warren linked her arm in
his, and hurried her back Just in time
to spring aboard.
In retired corner, as far as it was
possible to get from the music and
dancing, Ida sat in her chair, pale, cry
ing, while Mr.. Warren stood beside
her, grave and pale too.
'How came you here?" she asked
presently.
Because you needed protector
thank God camel" he said impressive
ly.
"YOu can never forgive me, / know"
she sobbed. II have been so wild and
wilful, that know l deserve the re-
ward you will bestow. But, Floyd, be-
fore you say goodbye for ever, let me
tell you how sorry l am! H-M-I
could recall it, would never defy your
judgment or authority againn'
| anu Iof answer, ne StooPeu anu KISS
ed her tenderly.
"My darling, until you send me from
you, shall never go! You are all that
is sweet and pure and true; for a little
wilfulness shall spoil my whole lifee"
She gave him a look that thrilled him
from. head to foot.
IN never be wilful again." she an
swered fervently. ''FrOm this hour
| you are master"
And Mrs. St. Cyr declares there
never was a sister-in-law equal to hers
for dignity, graciousness, sweetness,
and general perfection, while Mr.. War
ren-well, if he does'n adore his young
wife, then no man ever did-and not
altogether because in every action of
her life, Ida Warren shows her loyalty
to her lord and master!