The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-04-23
"LEAD US NOT INTO TEMP
TATION."

enough in year to keep her in shoes
NV daughter! who has hundred
thousand stitched to her skirt. Love
her, Who would not, with fifty thous-
and in the bank, and three hundred
acres of such land rs that? Guess you
amt the first one that has found out
that you could keep warm at my fire
side; so you needn't take such airs
over the discovery"
Paul, who had never looked into
Judith's blue eyes from this point OF
view, took his hat, bowed, and walked
away in silence.
The old elms sighed, because they
had heard and seen whisperings and
glances on the old piazza of which Ja-
cob Branthwaite had never dreamed,
and Judith, who had heard every word
through half-open door. dropped
three stitches 10 every two she knit
that evening. and had to pull it all out
the next morning.
There came early the neNt day--the
elms only knew how-a note from
Paul, burning, feverish, passionate.
Judith read it with an instant 5
flush, then hesitated, and sent an icy
line back.
She could never marry against her
fathers will.
That night the Strathmore's had a
merrY-making. Both went-Paul, an
CRY and reckless; Judith, under her as
sumed coldness, with throbbing and
expectant heart.
Already she had half repented of her
rigid answer She might have softened
the manner, if not the matter, OF it
She was sick with impatience to speak
with him.
She declined all invitations to dance,
and waited eagerly till the merry mu-
sic should ring out for the opportunj-
ty.
She knew that he was sullen, for he
had not even spoken to her; but lie had
some cause, and it was not bold in her
one day to marry him-aye, aud
would: and her heart beat hign and
fast.
As she thought, the cornet sounded
the call to the floor.
Paul rose quickly aud led out Bessie
SIrathnIore.
judith drew her breath hard for an
instant, and then turned. with a gay
laugh. TO one OF the young men near
her:
MIR. Conway, have you forgotten
yOu were to dance with me?"
Paul heard the laugh, but not the
words. and looked srarchin9ly into
her face as she came and stool opposite
him.
She smiled haughtily. and when he
took her hand. suffered it to lie cold
and lifeless in his grasp.
Farquhar Conway was hardly the
most brilliant of partners; but if he had
been a block, Judith, in her present
mood, would have hung out the flag OF
Irritation.
She blushed, she listened admiringly,
she taught the clumsy lout how to hold
her fan and handkerchief, all the time
hating herself for her meanness, and
yet exulting in the consciousness that
Paurs fierce eyes were burning into
her face.
To the most miserable dance succeed
ed more miserable evening. Paul.
raging at heart, and anxious not to be
outdone in folly, drew all eyes upon
himself and Bessie Strathmore. Judith
was frantieally gay, and stopped at
nothing.
One moment in all that wrctched
time they were alone. Perhaps pity
ing angels drew them there. Judith S
heSrt beat fast. and she trembled from
head 10 foot. Paurs dark face sOftened
a little. for he could not be near her
without something of the old tender
ness.
Have ycu been kind tonight" he
asked under his breath.
Have youe half believe my faith
er was right. after ALL" returned she.
with true girlish inconsistency. anx-
ious to hide the Joy she felt even to be
reproached.
He dropped her hand as If ii had been
a viper.
..May ask YOU what you mean.
Miss Branthwaite?" His tone and
action aroused Judith's pride in an In.
slant.
You are easily consoled. sir; thai
is all. After all, Bessie Strathmors
has almost as many acres as ]"
A dark flush leaped up in Pauls face
and he staggered back as if from 8
;s@dden blow.
When he did speak it was in voice
1 Vlaa she had never heard before.
judith, this strikes at my honor. Il
v, WI believe your words, we are strang-
er: from this night"
Judith did not believe them. Moth
inr but Heavens testimony could have
shal ven her faith in Paurs truth, but
she lyesolted at the thought OF conces
sion.
He.was wrong. Ii was for him tc
sue fos. forgiveness, since he had com
menced this wretched misunderstood
inc. She felt that he was seriously
terribly in earnest; that, perhaps, hel
next words would shape and color bOtt
his destiny and hers; and, in the very
face of conviction, answered, with {
fiippant falSehood:
II never say what 1 don't think
sir
A spasm contracted PauFs face fol
40 instant; but he answered only by :
low bow and left her.
The next morning, as she sat under
the elms, wondering how soon he wOalc
come. and what he would say. some
one passing told her they had just seer
Paul taking the train for the e.ty.
An hour after came package for ne
"A book he had promised. on the ny
leaf OF which was written:
..An eternal farewell!'
Time passed on. and old Branthwait'
died. Then Judith began 10 look AM
sait for something. II conld not hav
been Paul; for, though she heard o
hiIf often. prospering and famous, ii
the xreat city, she had never seen hin
or received any token that he remem
bered her existence.
Still she waited There never cam
knock or quick step up the walk
but it brought q flush to her cheek
She never peered in the little post
,-affies without an unacknowiedged hop
warm at heart
i She was fond 81 psssag Fasgsas