The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-03-10
Srlfrt Story.
HIS LITTLE LOVE.
A snowy January afternoon

The window, one arm resting on little
shelf, and eyes bent on the girlish face
beside him He was not handsome, yet
bic was face one would look at With as
much or With more interest than II the
features we're IS perfect as Apollo's own.
The eyes and mouth we're foil OF pow
er, the former especially, wonderfully
expressive, and, as he spoke now, full OF
easy, quizsical regard.
"Are you afraid Of me Miss Marionf
Do you think I shall prove a tyrannical
or Ienient guardian ?"
81 am not the least bit afraid OF you,
sir !" the young lady called Marion an
swered, in q cold business like voice,
looking him in the eye.
"Nct afraid2 How strange!" he said,
the smile around his mouth deepening
"Do you generally inspire those VITO
NEE, yoa with awe, Mr.. Vann :"
81 am lawyer" he replied, ''there-
fore blessed with second sight, OF course.
Not only do We Judge by the outward
evidence of the thoughts in clients
heart, but the inuer working Of the vi.
tel organ is an open book to us. YouI
thoughts now"
He paused
"Well 2" she asked impatiently.
care not fisttering to me- You con
slider me an unmtigated bore, very colo
and professional-not good-lookiug.-
You long for the school left behind II
the South, where days like this we're un
heard Of and where the college students
dedicated fowery sonnets to your beau
ty."
The girl flushed and darted q qnick
angry glance at him from the dark eyes
under the little tissue veil strapped across
her nose
"You are pleased to be sarcastic" she
said. With little sueer and shrug; bn,
OF what matter is iti II it amuses you
sir, Il aDuses me infinitely more. an
not afraid Of your satire-neither DO
like your
Jerome Vann raised bis brows in un.
feigned surprise
she.was 80 petite, 90 childish in appear
snce, despite her Is y ars. and the oper
animos ty she expressed was 80 novel
it was all refreshing. and he watched heI
amueedly ss she went to distant cor
ner and buried herself in q novel, to the
complete exclusion OF bimself.
Ali be could see beneath the hook was
pair of extremely lovely red lips. and
those he watched steadily, scarcely sare
OF It. Five minutes passed. licked slow
" off bv the clock in the empty waiting
room, and brown curl appeared above
the rim Of the hook, then one curious
and brightly angry eve, which met his
and disappeared like fash.
Jerome laughed He knew that. by
that outburst Of mirth, he totally lost
all vantage ground with her, but be
could not help il.
Still smiling, be walked slowly to her
side.
"Do moi freex, me!'' he said pathet-
ically, holding out his hand; "we mus,
be friends you know" /,
"Not at ALL" she said coldlv. 81 am
absolutely sure We shall never aeree!-
Better begin as We shall surely endl'
"You dislike me ?"
al have said so!' she answered, turn
ing the leaf.
"And whyf Becsuse have been un
fortunate enough TO have unwittingly Of.
Tended you ?"
"You have laughed al me. / do not
know what name they give that in the
North; but, in Virgins, We should call
that unmaDnerly."
Ut l have been 81, Miss Romero,
sincerely beg your pardon" Jerome aaid.
stiflig, and retired to the window, to
whistle the "Exile OF Erin." in moet dis
tracing discords, until the train puffed
In.
Jerome sat by the library tire, q cigar
between his lips. his hands clssped idly,
his eyes almost closed.
He wss listening to story which in
terested him.
A yOanger man was also sitting bv
The Gre, cane 10 his hand. and his chin
resting on the top OF it. He was very
handsome young fellow, and the freight
playing On bis head. turned bis hair to
gold, and made the intense, earnest blue
eyes seem slack
IL have loved her from the begin.
ming" he said. slowly. Through oil
the past months ! have loved Marion ST.
lently; now I will tell her of it, with
your permission, and learn my fate
Better ultimate rejection than this sus-
pense"
"Ned Bufing con. you love my ward ?"
Jerome asked, calmly, and no evidence
that his heart was beating like boys
could be seen In bic face. s.You love
her truly, you say ?
~ dol Upon nv honor" Ned re-.
piled. "That surely is not strange -
Could man, seeing her constantly, as I
have done, not lose bis heart to her p
"You know, of course, that she was
left foriuner ~ Jerome asked again, in
the same quiet way.
II have heard so. Perhaps, indeed,
it 10 the only thing TO be regretted, for
/ love her. and have abundance for
boih," Ned answered regretfully.
Her guardian stood up, and his face
was very pale.
.It is no longer to be regretted. Mar
ion has nothing! 10 the recent failure
she lost it all!'
"Allr' the young fellow echoed, and
there was silence.
"Marion is very proud" Jerome con-
tinued "If she knew that che was not
absolutely independent OF my bounty
she would not stay an hour longer be-
meath, this roof. But, poor child, she
need never know; ct least, until after she
has been married"
The deep, expressive voice ceased
with regretful ring, and then he con-
cluded, more cbeerfully.
"Go. and l wish you success In your
wooing!'
Ned wruug bis hand and left the
room, and In few moments Jerome fol-