The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1886-09-07

simply sald.W Win an appealing glance
that went straight to Fanny's kind
heart:
Il trust you will leave my name
out of such discussions hereafter,
Miss Remington
And then in her proud, quiet way,
she rose and left the room with an
air of gracefls dignity that a queen
might have envieG.
Ten minutes later. with her large
white Swiss-colored hat shading the
flushed cheeks, and her book in her
hand, she was pacing slowly down
the beach.
Calmly as she had borne it, that
subtle, barbed thrust of Mrs. Har-
ding's had gone straight to its mark.
1t had stung her to the very soul; it
came home now to hcr for the first
time, with athrill OF bitter shame,
how completely Hugh Mansfield re-
allied her perfect ideal of manhood
and how often his image had of late
been part of hor sweetest day
dreams.
Several times in Tie first two or
three weeks following their arrival,
they had met by chanee-once du-
ring one of Leslics n orning strolls,
when the dew was yet glistening in
the hearts of the wild flowers she
was gathering, and the wood was
ringing with the thrill of a thousand
fluttering, silver-throa .ed birds.
The young mans Quick, firm step,
as he came striding down the wood
land path, switching The dew off the
grass with his light cane as he walk
ed, startled her so that she let fall
the hatful of sweet June roses she
had gathered, and they lay scattered
on the dewy grass directly in his
path.
With graceful ala,logy he stop
ped and assisted her IN gathering up
her fallen treasures; then, when he
had seen the last velyety pink bios
som safely replaced in the wide
brimmed straw hat. fe had gone on
his way with the few modest words
of thanks. uttered IN voice mar,
velously low aud sweet, lingering
pleasantly in his ears.
Leslie did not dream what a lovely
picture she had made that morning
in the eyes of the young millionaire
standing there in the tender light
that was still half shadow under the
leafy boughs, her soft white gown
prettily defining little and graceful
form, the bare head covered with
rich coils of tawny hair that waved
in silky rings over broad. white
forehead. and the white straw hat,
with its huttering pink ribbons, filled
to the very brim with b!nshing,dew-
wet roses.
Later, only. a fcw Gays ago, had
come a formal introduction given by
Mrs. Harding, and most reluctantly,
as Leslie clearly diyiued BY the cold,
hard glitter in the widows black
eyes, and the slight, but scornful
emphasis with which ahe uttered the
explanatory words. ''my companion
carefully added after Leslie's name.
An amused smile was Hugh Mans
fields only recognition of the little
trick, and there was a light in his
handsome dark eyes as he took her
hand that made Leslie's heart un-
consciously beat quicker.
After that, in !, r.oud, graceful
little way all her own, she quietly
avoided hinl, With nil her Dreams
I-and Leslie was something of a
drcamer-she was not romantic or
simple-minded enough to fancy that
he, the lionized millionaire, would
think seriously of girl in her posi-
ton, and she was far too pure and
proud TO permit any attentiM from
such as he that might be lightly
misconstrucd.
| And now, pacing the shingly
beach, she knew at last that another
feeling stronger and deeper tEa1
pride alone urged her to fly from his
presence,
'tIf ! could only leave here she
was saving to herself, with kind of
passionate rebellion against her fate,
IF / could only be free from the
pain of seeing him, and-and know
ing that he belongs to a different
world from mine! If ! need never
again hear that woman's petty stings
and slurs. But there!r checking her
wild, feverish longing with a grim
little smile Of recollection, what am
! ! saying? ] must earn my daily
bread, and Lou Harding,with all her
mean little tyrannies, gives me the
chance to do that No, no; ] must
stay on and continue to bear it:
Where else could | go'-what could
| ! do?"
/ What pleasure 20 see you at
last, Miss Neir!r' broke in a CHEEKY
masculine voice upon her excited
, rcverie. Turning, she was face to face
with Hugh Mansfield, wha extended
his hand with 8 frank, glad smile
that lit up his dark face most win;
ningly. What must one do" h.
went on, In tenp alf.jesting. half
: serious, ito obtain an occasional au:
dience of your majesty? You have
; not allowed me tho chance to speak
one word with Yop in three whole
days"
Indeed, How you must have suf
: fered!r' she retorted lightly, her care
less tone just tinged with irony; and
she hastilywithdrew the hand which
she had permitted to merely touch
his for an instant. '.But am not
in society now," she added, fearful
| that he might guess the real truth
. ..and | have dnties which keep mt
quite bnsily occupied. Even now,
she added glancing neryously towaFi
+. the widNw's eettase II must be go
ing"
'Jove! how she does manage t.
8 cut me short whenever | tried tt
) talk with her." muttered the young
I, mn ,rn Pso, tkn l,rrl,&