The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-10-21


his being must needs set toward this
unresponsive woman of 80? 1t had
been ever thus with Joel Kirby from his
perverse childhood, when, if he wanted
cake. no human power could induce
him to nibble gingerbread.
mo, Roxy, there's only one woman
in the world for me-" he continued, in
a softer tone. Your brother is of a
different temperament. Has it never
occurred to you that he NAV marry a
second timer
Brother marry! o, no. indeed, he'll
anna, rooted and grounded in the belief
that her brothers heart was entombed
with the dead Climena. mo, he could
not take another wife, Joel, and you see
he has only me, couldn't be so cruel
as to leave him."
To all MIR. Kirby's subsequent plead
ings she made this same reply, but it
soothed his chatting spirit not little
that she made it with faltering, and
that she parted from himself with tears
As the sound of his rapid wheels died
in the distance she hastily dried her
eyes and hurried into the kitchen to see
about the belated supper Mr. Perrin,
still gloating over castles in Spain, look
ed up with the roguish purpose of greet
ing her as Mrs. Kirby" but, dismayed
at her troubled countenance. remarked
instead that 1.-THE days were getting
shorter"-a fact that she had observed
before.
He felt as if he had received a blow
For him there was, there could be, but
one Interpretation of his sisters un-
wOnted emotion. She loved Kirby, and
Kirby no longer cared for her. Poor
girl, she had dreamed that mans af-
tections were like grant bowlders, in
capable of change, and she was awak-
ening with a shock. Hapless Roxannai
She. 100, had her trials. Keenly SYM
pathetic, the magnanimous brother con-
cealed his own disappointment as best
he could, and lavished upon his sorrow-
full sister an excess of tenderness.
You have the knack of spelling me
for other folks cooking, little woman,
that's the TRUTH" said he at tea-time,
ostentatiously heaping his plate with
cream toast How should l ever get
along without you?"
''That'll make her feel that appre-
ciate her, if Joel doesn't" he mused,
beneyolently; while she, on her side of
the table, was thinking. ''It's Just as |
suspected; it would kill brother to lose
me-"
20, you'd manage somehow. Maybe
you'd marry" she ventured, timidly.
almost hearing the fluttering of the lost
Climena's wings.
'Poh! poh! sister, nothing seems less
likely" answered her brother, in voice
so sad that Miss Roxanna chided herself
for having opened his old wound afresh.
But she had done it for Joel's sake. She
owed it to Joel to make sure that there
could be no misunderstanding.
The October days with their MONDAY
patches of sunshine and their heavy
borders of twilight came and went In
spasm of hope that the charming wild
ow might yet consent to share the do
nIestic sceptre with his sister, Mr.. Per-
rim made second proposal, only to re-
ceive a second decided. though fiatter-
ing, refusal. Mr.. Kirby repeated his
call upon Miss Roxanna, and departed
cursing fate, and by no means loving
Mr.. Perrin. whom he supposed perfect
ly acquainted with the relations between
himself and Roxanna. Overtaking Mr.
Perrin walking home one day from the
post-office, Mr.. Kirby with inward re-
luctance asked him to ride. With equal
reluctance Mr.. Perrin accepted the in
vitation, rejecting. IF amt civil he II
take it that I'm mad because he doesn't
renew his offer to Roxanna, and / won't
humor him."
Heavy frost last night" growled Mr..
Kirby.
Very" assented the other. conscious
of an inward chill. winter is upon
US. Shall you spend it in Maine?"
"My plans are uncertain" snarled
Mr.. Kirby, adding mentally. Thanks
to you, sir"
''Of course you can choose your own
climate. There's the advantage of hav-
ing plenty of money and no family
ties"
No family tiesI Whose fault was it
that he had no family ties?" unused the
irate bachelor. making rapid passes
over his long beard as if he would mes
merize the pain in his breast. might
not Roxanna have been his wife years
ago but for the necessities of this selfish
brother?"
Though I've lately heard it limited.
Joel, that you were thinking of marry
ing" Mr.. Perrin blundered on, in his
embarrassment saying the very thing he
had resolved not to say.
Mr.. KIRBY snapped his whip, and
| transfixed his companion with a glance
so frigid that poor Mr.. Perrin shivered
as is he was impaled on an icicle.
Your cousin is fine girl, ,Joel-an
uncommonly fine girl. II congratu-
| late you," he stammered, wishing it
would do to get out and walk.
You are too kind, Perrin; too kind
by half" sneered MIR. Kirby. letting 90
the reins of his anger. You've robbed
me of one bride. sir, and now you want
to make amends. do you, by choosing
me another?"
why, Kirby, what are you raving
about? When have l ever interfered
with your concerns matrimonial or
otherwise?" cried Mr.. Perrin in a tone
of injured innocence. You're labor
| ing under some strange delusion."
"Do YOU pretend it's a delusion of
mine that but for you Roxanna would
be my wife,"
ID, he's twitting me on old scores. "
mused Mr.. Perrin, aggrieved. He
/ blames me for letting sister give up her
Sister would do it, and she never told
MS lnekc was any luliiS uct"ccu hei dlIo
Joel" when a man is in a tight
place, Joel, he's apt to realize his own
needs better than the needs of his breth-
rem. l suppose" he said aloud. after a
moments pause. But I'm sorry if you
bear me grudge."
Tight place! Do you call yourself
in tight place, Perrin-a strong. hearty
fellow like you? You ought to be indie
pendent af your sister. You ought to
hire housekeeper and let Roxanns
60"
Let Roxanna go! Where?" inter.
E2gatsd ths Rst2ggsa- Nh. RsS<ia>-