The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-04-28

oratario, not jumble of silly love songs
Did she think it becoming IN herself, a,
engaged young lady, to carol amorou
dltties from morning to night with
tuneful swain
"Tbey are burlesques, ,John-only bur
Iesques II had dreamed of your dis
approving l wouldn't have promised t,
sing; but I can't retrsc. now"
"Not when l particularly request it
Rue ?"
"Indeed, 20, John. have the lead
ing part. l can't refuse to act withou
offending Mr.. Lynde."
"On the other hand you can't persls
in acting without offending me-"
snow, John, do be reasonable. How
should l feel announcing at the next re
hearsal that ! must be excused-Mr
Coleman was not willing to have ID
connected with the operettap Wha
would Mr.. Lynde think p
"Oh, il his opinion has more weigh
with you than mine. will retire.
"John, you're too absurd. Can't 70,
see how ridiculous it would look for m
to throw up my part at the moment yov
come homer People would say you wer
jealous of Mr.. Lynde."
"The jackanapes!'
"And that you we're Bluebeard. Tn
not sure but they'd be right"
"If I'm tyraut, Rufelle, you're a,
amazingly fearless Fatima"
II don't propose to be your Fatima
John"
What did Rue intend by thatp Th
wrinkle in Mr.. Coleman's forehead deep
ened into trench, his brown face flushed
like an oak in October.
"Please lay aside paradoxes, Rufelle
Do you mean you don't wish to mary
me2 Rnmor has told me as much"
In truth Miss Rue had meant nothing
OF the kind, but her lovers insulting
tone had exasperated her into silence
Had it come to this that she could mo-
wink without first consulting his lord
ship2 Her blue eyes flashed ominously
the steel hook in her fingers darted oul
of her crotchetiug with murderous ra'
pidity.
"Rumor has told NE as much" repeat
ed Mr.. Coleman as impressively as if be
had been addressing jury.
Sand you let people talk about me
John, and listen to what they say!"
81 might have known that girl who
would not respect my dignity could not
value nv esteem. Tyrant or not, Rufelle
at least have 70 desire to rivet Calling
fetters. Hencefcrth you are free to
smile upon Mr.. Lynde or any other gen
teman."
Had he omitted the last sentence .affec
tionate, kindly little Rue could even then
have made up" with John, bnt this was
too much for her temper. Snatching the
golden circle. from her engagement fn
ger she flung it at Ter lover with cheeks
afsme.
"Take back your ring" cried she; 'the
girl who wears it should be a saint or 8
slmpletop, and I'm neither. Goodbye
john"
Auburn head erect, chin 10 air, she
swept out of the room with sll the state,
illness possible to slight girl OF FIVE fee,
two. She felt hers to be righteous in
dignatioD, John had no reason-no
earthly reason-to treat her so. She
would not personate patient Griselda lor
the amusement OF the village.
"John wants to bend the whole world
to bis will" mused she, angrily. peepine
through her chamber blind as he stalked
away chewing his black mustache; she
wants to bend the whole world to bis
will and | won't be bent. Our engage
ment is broken, and I'm glad of it,"
For full fifteen minutes she was une
quivocally glad.
John Coleman thought that be too was
glad. Walking 6ercely on he squared
bis broad shoulders and told himself that
the engagement had been mistake-an
error OF judgment. A grave, self-made
man of thirty should have been wiser
than TO trust bis happiness to the keep
ing OF gay, caprlcious maiden. Why
bad he been so dotingly fond OF the
child, 80 hoodwinked by her coquetrles 7
Blind, driveling idiot that he was, 1.-The
sooner he was again buried in the law
the better. The mans soul was hot with
in him.
Shocked at his partners i'll looks Mr..
Riggs in greeting him asked if he had
had chill.
Eyes, something of that nature" was
the grim reply "How about the suit Of
Ingalls, versus Wade? I find flaw in
the indictment
Mr.. Coleman was in the mood for
finding flaws. His habitual self.control
had deserted him. Once he nearly ami
hilated Mr.. Riggs for casually mention
ing Mr. Lynde and his reported engage.
ment.
soho! recollect now; Coleman had
a lien on the young woman himself
Queer l should have forgotten" mused
the discom6tted advocate dipping his pen
in the ink.
That night Mr.. Coleman had chill
no metaphorical heart ague, but genu-
inc, physical, bone'shakipg rigor that de.
mauded blankets and hot brick and o
heroic dose Of quinine.
"He's caught malaria from some Of
those western bog.holes," said the doc
tor aside to the landlord. "Unless we
hreak it up he's in for fever. See that
he has good nurse I'll be round in
the morning.
The landlord himself sat up with the
patient, and busy night he chad till day
bresk, when Mr.. Coleman sank into a
browse. The weary watcher improved