The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-09-13


was he did not urge me further but
said: We'll, at least you'll let me re-
lieve you of some of your packages,
and allow me the pleasure of seeing
you safely home, some one else may 90
Jour packages out of your arms
'Well, he was so very polite and
charming about it all, and did look so
handsome and distinguished at the
time, and his beautiful eyes were so
eloquent that naturally gave my con-
sent And new, who do you suppose
he is, after alp" Cleo demands, paus-
ing to take breath. Here is his card, -
with very elaborate flourish; Julian
Van Ness, at your ladyship's service ~
why, why, Cleo, you don't really
mean that he is the Julian Van Ness
that used to live at uncle's, and that
we romped and played together with ?''
| quite breathless.
THE same. madam" with over
whelming dignity
"Why, Cleom And after this eiacu-
lation the young lady seems to subside
into blank and profound amazement,
and Cleo, quite elated with the effect
she has produced, continues:
Yes, it is the very same youth
Didn't keep telling how familiar his
face seemed? Well, he still makes
uncle's house his home, and has gone
into business for himself, and he has
just returned from Europe-been there
six months-and is immensely wealthy.
How he ever kept from laughing in
my face when was so utterly crushed
about that wine, I'm sure can't think.
That's somebody at the door"
She flies to open it and comes face to
face with huge colored gentleman.
.Yes, am Miss Cleo Heath" she
informs him; then he puts great
bunch of freshly cut, dewy flowers in
her hand, sets a good-siZed demiiohn
inside the door. bows to the bewildered
young ladies and vanishes as mysteri-
Ously as he came.
well, did you everP" Janet cries,
eNcitedly.
wait until l read this note" Cleo
makes answer, land we will probably
be enlightened:
To Miss Cleo and her sister, with my
compliments, aud a heartfelt wish that
both the flowers and the wine may cheer
your hearts and make you happy. Very
sincerely, your old friend.
JULIAN VAN NESS.
There now! Was every anything
more charmingly doneP Didn't tell
You he was the incest man ever met?'
looking with worshipful eyes at the
flowers.
Two days later there came another
exquisite bouquet and a note in which
tickets are inclosed for a lecture
What are the tickets for, CleO?"
~"They are for lecture that is TO be
given this evening at Temple Hall, and
he hopes to see us there. How is it
with you jamie? Do you think you
are able to walk so farP'
Far? Why, its only a very little
distance. l went much further than
that this morning. Let's get ready"
Twenty minutes later they find them
selves nicely seated in the brilliantly
lighted hail.. There is asplendid au-
dience, and when the grave, dignified
lecturer appears he is greeted with a
burst of applause. His subject is
"Spiritualism and Thought Reading. "
A committee has been selected to see
that there is no black art practiced,
and to assist the lecturer Cleo gives
little start of surprise, and the pink
in her eyes grows into a deeper, love
lier hue, when she makes the discov-
cry that Julian Van Ness is on the
stage. And not only that, but the
clever lecturer has hidden him to Sc
lect some one whom he knows in the
audience, and fix his mind upon him,
and he (the thought reader) will con-
duct the young man to that person.
Julian meekly obeys this master mind.
He leads poor Julian merry dance
for time, but suddenly he starts off
with full purpose in his eyes, and in
two seconds the young man is standing
behind Cleo's chair, and Cleo's face is
like rose. There are great many wise
and knowing smiles exchanged when
it is discovered where that very distin-
guished looking gentleman's thoughts
had wandered.
That distinguished looking gentle
nan pays not the slightest heed, how
ever. In fact, he is happily uncOn-
scious that there has been quite COM
motion caused among his party when
he is seen leaning over a charming
young lady's chair.
He bends down and greets them, and
then tells them in low tone of voice
that he had simply been obliged to
he would not be forced to leave with
them, SD, if agreeable to the sisters, he
would be most happy to see then
home. 1t is totally unnecessary fol
me to chronicle their reply. as there
was but one answer possible.
On their way thither Julian amuse'
them immensely by relating how h'
bewildered the lecturer,
"You see had my mind fully fixeC
on Charlie Howard, but just ut thai
critical moment ] discovered Mis-
Cleo's face in the audience, and
with boyish frankness-''for the life o
me couldn't get my thoughts bac k oil
Charlie again. Humiliating, isn't it
to have so little mind that there ISM
enough to make it upp' He fiushes
with light laugh.
y
The time is six weeks later.
To the two sisters the long, hot sum
mer days seemed to have fairly rushe'
away, so rapidly have they gone sine
they made the acquaintance of thei
.sfairy prince" as they have playful!
christened Julian. And well does h
deserve his name, for never did a quee
on her throne receive more devoted al
tention than did these two unfOrtunat
orphan sisters. There has been absC
lutely nothing left undone that h
could compass for their benefit, o
amusement, or pleasure. Baskets o
choicest fruits and most lovely flowers
tickets for splendid concerts, invita-
tions to delightful yachting excursions
all found their way to the young ladies
humble abode; and ] may add, like
wise the donor Of these gifts also find
his way there with surprising FRI
ouency. His visits are the most d'
lightfnl events in their hard-workine
dull lives, so no wonder they al
hailed with such manifestations
pleasure.
In fact, he is due in this cool, mool
, lit room in a very few moments nov
Cleo is to have drive in the park tn
glorious summer night; and contraI
to all the annals of female history. 81
. is quite ready, and is leaning yond'
, against the wide opened window awai
ing his arrival. As she so stands, wit
the enchanting moonlight falling at
, wart her, she resembles nothing
,,,uob "a soma snnwV statue for she