The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-04-16
ssli blushing SO deeply. but we are no


relation"
MIR. Nalence thought over the mat
ter; he afterward met Miss MAY at a
party given by friend where pretty
Grace Cravall was also present; he
had taken rather fancy to the bright
blue eyes and delicate blonde beauty
OF the former. Valance Hall, on the
hill just out OF the city, was solitary
enough now that his sisters had all
married and gone away. and perhaps
man might Ind less attractive and
graceful wife than Medora NAV. But
he could not be mistaken. he thought,
In Grace Craxalps identity.
And so the next evening, about the
same time, he sauntered into tie
shop
Grace was behind the daintily clean
little counter. taking some newly baked
caramels of the pan. She looked up
with smile.
Good evening. Mr.. Valance" said
she.
So" he thought. Il wasn't mis-
taken after all. And the little blue
eyed seraph is mortal enough to tell a
lie in spite of her angelic appearancer
But he looked serenely at Grace.
81 didn't know YOU were in trade,
said he.
Didn't you? Well" retorted Grace,
Il am my Aunt Deborah's shOp-girl at
present. | always come here in the
evening to help her, because" she
added, with q sweet shade of serious
ness coming over her face, "aunt was
old and poor, and she didn't quite
know how to maintain herself in inde-
pendence, and, unfortunately, my
wages at the factory are not enough
for us both. So advised her TO open
this business and she did, and she is
doing well; and she bakcs the most de-
liclous bread and pies YOU ever ate,
so, with n saucv twinkle under her
eyelashes, ''if you know of any custom
erS. will you please recommend our
tirm?'
80 be sure SHALL" he answered.
glad, Miss Craxall. to see that you are
"Of course | am not" said Grace.
"Why should be?''
"But your cousin Mcdora is.
Grace gave little shrIg of her
shoulders.
Very likely said she. '.Mcdora
and differ in many things"
Mr.. Valance bought a pound of car
amels and went away.
''She is a beauty" he said to him
self; land she is sensible beauty into
the bargain. One of those rGra dCi&cs
in our country, II thoroughly well-bal-
anced girl
He must have been very well pleased
with his pure aSe. for he came again
the next evening, just in time to walk
home with Craze CraXall. And they
talked over Aunt Deborah's affairs,
and concluded as flour was low Just
then. it would be a favorable opportun-
ity for the old lady to lay in her win
ter stock, through Mr.. Valance, who
was acquainted with one of the great
New York grain merchants.
Only a few weeks had elapsed when
Medora May was electrified to learn
that her cousin Grace was engaged.
TO some master baker or Journey
man confectioner, l suppose, p" she said,
contemptuously.
No" said Grace, with eyes roguish-
ly sparkling; ''to Mr.. Herbert Val
ance."
don 't-beleve-it," said Me
dora, growing red, then pale.
But it's really so," said Grace.
"And we are to be married in three
months, and Aunt Debby is to come to
the hall and live with me as soon as
she can dispose of her business to ad-
vantage And, dear Medora, l hope
you will often come and visit me
there
Medora May did not answer She
could not. But in her secret heart she
recognized how infinitely more sue
cessful in life's lists had been Grace's
true. frank honesty, than her own sub
tie and devious course.
Like many another. however. the
lesson had come to her too late
Springfield Union.