Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-04-29

- NJ NO. $50.
And he was. So tall and straight and
strong. 20 young and hearty, 30 full Of
vigorous and graceful action, 90 manly
in his treatment Of men, 80 gentle and
courteous with women, alwaysso quick.
witted and sunny-hearted, and 90 free
from snobbishness, the walter at hii
restaurant table, the barber who shaved
him, the bootblack who retorted to his
sallies, his landlady and my lady In hei
chamber of state, business men with
whom his shrewd, sharp notions, man
ly bearing and "snap," won Instant IA
vor. Old and young, rich and poor, all
Joined In the unanimous verdict that ne
was .'splendid young fellow" the Ifs
and 'ifonlys' which frequently follow
ed being swallowed up In the admira-
ton akin to love with which he was re-
rarded by all with whom he had to do,
Once In while placid, far-seeing
woman-a thoroughly good wife and
mother-added: "And dangerous fell
low;p but she was an old 'sober-sides''
any way, and, indeed, the scrupulous
respect which she unfailingly received
him allayed, IL 1t did not quite dispel,
the instinct within herself. And SO,
by right of blood and brains and youth,
he reigned, as he deserved, q king
among men-''a splendid young fel-
low"
nSo, them Gratia, you positively re-
fuse! Will your answer be this always!
Is there no hope that it may be differ
ent when I return from this trip"
A quick catching ofthe breath, a con-
vulsive tightening of the arms about
his neck, and he had to bend low to
catch the whispered word 'none''
which fell from among the sobs that
shook the tiny form within his arms.
aYou have not the right love in your
heart for me, then, or you would not
answer thus,n were thecruel words he
forced himself to utter, while he gently,
but very firmly, unlocked the clasped
fingers and disengaged himself from
their hold, closely watching all the
while the white face almost wholly hid
den upon his breast; then slowly rising
and putting her quite from him, be be-
gan to make preparations for his de-
parture, when with a sharp cry, the
girl flung herself at his feet, in per-
feet passion of agonized entreaty that
he should believe her great love for
him, imploring him to love her still,
even If they should never meet again,
to let her memory at least remain with
him wherever he might go.
Deepest pity stirred the soul of the
man as he looked down upon her and
noted the havoc which q six months
separation, with the last three days Of
fateful struggle, had made with the
bright, laughing beauty who had won
his heart, and sincerely he wished they
had never met. But the pride of
worldly distinction, the influence of an
ambitious mother, the promptings of a
selfshness not his own, led him on to
the final conflict.
nWe may as well end this here and
now, Gratia,n he said, very gently.
Indeed, it is quite necessary that we
should, for'' very slowly, dreading the
effect Of his words ''for lam going
to be married. My mother has pre-
vailed upon me to quit the road, and
has secured for me an interest in q
large manufacturing business, which
my uncle controls, in the Northwest.
She has already moved there, and there
! am expected to join them in a few
days. Through them met the lady
who is to be my wife. An heiress,
rich, good-looking, gentle, who will no
doubt make an excellent helpmeet for
ssyours truly You will bid me happi-
ness, Gratia, won't you? Surely we
may part as friends
He need not have feared an outbreak.
Neither sound nor motion indicated
that the form covering at his feet heard
one word Of the message naught save
the pitiful shudder which passed
through her frame. Death, indeed, but
with this difference: the soul too sud-
denly stricken to escape, died within,
and remained-the corpse Of a heart
within d living body.
Lifting her In his arms, tenderly as q
father might daughter he saw suffer,
he laid her on the poor little hard
lounge, and pushing back the masses
Sf beautiful auburn hair such rare
beautiful hair! he kissed her reverent-
" many times, as one might the face
OF the loved dead, and bidding her
good-by, once more he slowly left the
room longingly, as ifhopeful Of a re-
call to the last moment. "A gentle but
sure click fthe latch a light step on
The stair-a slam Of the outer door q
retreating tread on the pavement below
@-and Fate had done her worst.
N
# Is provincial town, but one Of
those bustling, wide-awake, welcoming
sort OF places. where. an arrivin0 ono