The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-09-09
AN EPISODE.
~ 1
low A Young Lover Tempted Fate and
Was Made iapoy


low A Young Lover Tempted Fate and
Was Made Happy d.
81 want to warn Won about one
thing" said Mrs. Farquhar; don't 90
strOlling off before sunset in the Lovers
Walk. 1t is the most dangerous place,
1t is a fatal place. | suppose every turn
in it, every tree that has knoll at the
foot where two persons can sit, has wit
messed n tragedy, or, what is worse, a
comedy. There are legends enough
about it to fill a book. Maybe there is
not Southern woman living who has
not been engaged there once at least
I'll tell you little story for a warning.
Some years ago there was a famous
belle here who had the Springs at her
feet, and half n dozen determined suit
ors. One of them, who had been un-
able to make the least impression on
her heart, resolved to win her by
stratagem. Walking one evening on
the hill with her, the two stopped Just
at turn in the walk-I can show you
the exact spot. with a chaperon-and
he fell into earnest discourse with her.
She was as cool and repellent as usual
Just then he heard party approach
ing; his chance had come. The mo-
ment the party came in sight he sudden
ly kissed her. Everybody saw it. The
witnesses discreetly turned back. The
girl was indignant. But the deed was
done. In half an hour the whole
Springs would know it. She was COM
promised. No explanation could do
away with the fact that she had been
kissed in Lovers Walk. But the girl
was game, and that evening the en-
gagement was announced in the draw
ing-room. Isn't that pretty story?'
However much Mr.. King might have
been alarmed at this recital, he betray-
ed nothing of his fear that evening
when, after walking to the Spring with
Irene, the two Sauntered along, and un-
consciously, as it seemed, turned up the
hill into that winding path which has
been trodden by generations of lovers
with lettering steps-steps easy to take
and so hard to retracei 1t is a delight
full forest the walk winding about on
the edge of the hill, and giving charm
ing prospects of intervals, stream and
mountains. To one in the mood for a
quiet hour with natnre, no scene could
be more attractive.
The couple walked on, attempting
little conversation, both apparently pre-
pOSsCSSCN. anu Sul-
set was spoken of, and when Irene at
length suggested turning back. that was
declared to be Kings object in ascend
ing the hill TO a particular point; but
whether either of them saw the sunset,
or would have known it from a sunrise.
l cannot say. The drive to the Old
Sweet was pleasant. Yes, but rather
tiresome Mr.. Meigs had gone away
suddenly. Yes; Irene was sorry his
business should have called him away.
Was she very sorry? She wouldn't lie
awake at night over ii. but he was a
good friend. The time passed very
quickly here Yes: one couldn't tell how
it went; the days just melted away; the
two weeks seemed like n day. They
were going away the next day. King
said he was going also.
..And." he added, as if with an effort,
"when the season is over, Miss Benson,
am going to settle down to work"
I'm glad of that" she said, turning
upon him a face glowing with appro-
val -.
.Yes, l have arranged to 90 on with
practice in my uncle's office. l remem-
Der what you said about dilettante
life"
"Why, 1 never said anything of the
kindw
But you looked it 1t is all the
same"
They mad come to the crown of the
hill, and stood looking over the inter-
walls to the purple mountains. Irene
was deeply occupied in tying up with
grass a bunch of wild flowers Sud-
denly he seized her hand.
''lrenem
mo, no." she cried, turning away.
The flowers dropped from her hands.
''You must listen, Irene 1 love YOU
I love YOU"
She turned her face toward him; her
lips trembled; her eyes were full of
tears; there was great look of tender
ness in her face.
"Is it all true?"
She was in his arms He kissed her
hair, her eyes-ah mel it is the old
story. 1t had always been true He
loved her from the first, at Fortress
Monroe, every minute since. And she
well, perhaps she could learn to love
him in time, if he was very good; yes,
maybe she had loved HIM a little at
| Fortress Monroe. How could he? What
was there in her to attract him? What
NOIl1tE IL Wis IlldI SIlt COulu
him! What could she see in him?
So this impossible thing. this miracle,
was explained? No, indeed 1t had
to be inquired into and explained over
and over again, this absolutely new
experience of two people loving each
other.
She could speak now of herself. of
her doubt that he could know his own
heart and be stronger than the social
traditions, and would not rnind, as she
thought he did at Newport-just little
bit-the opinions of other people l do
not by any means imply that she said
all this bluntly. or that she took at all
the tone of apology; but she contrived,
as a woman can without saying much.
to let him see why she had distrusted,
not the sincerity, but the perseverance
of his love. There would never be any
more doubt now What wonder it
| all is!
The two parted-alas! alasi TIL sup
per-time!-I don't know why scoffers
make so light of these partings-at the
foot of the main stairs of the hotel gal
lery, just as Mrs. Farquhar was descend
ing. Irene's face was radiant as she
ran away from Mrs. Farquhar.
BLESS You, my children! l see my
warning was in vain. Mr.. King. 1t is
fatal walk. 1t always was in our
family. Oh, youth! yOuthi'' shade of
melancholy came over her charming
face as she turned alone toward the
spring. Charles Dudley Warner, an
Harper's Magazine.
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