The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-11-29

teresting study, and I'll give little
attention to it.''
When Miss Brown appeared next
morning she found small cluster of
rarely beautiful flowers upon her desk.
She looked at them and then at her
neighbOr, Mr.. Douglass, but he was
busy with an engrossing column of
figures. He looked. too, stermer than
his wont. What folly to connect them
with him! 1t must have been the jan
itor's little boy, who was often around
the place with his father.
She did not take them up and adj
mire them, as most girls would have
done--girls whose heart-fountains had
not been turned to gall aud bitterness
in their springtime. as had happened
to her; but all through the long day
they carried their silent messages of
sympathy in their watts of subtle fra
GRANGE, and when she left the soothing
influence went with her.
After this her desk was never with
out tiny bouquet, placed there by the
same invisible hand. The girl refrain
ed from asking questions. the donor
wished to do her kindness and un-
known, she would accept it in the same
spirit.
! luz hCCu eyes WdJCuiuS, HI uu-
known to her, at the next desk, bright
ened with an exultant flash when once.
as it were unconsciously. the slender
figure dislodged a pansy from among
its velvet sisters and placed it in her
hair.
All this time gradual change was
taking place. She was not one bit the
less reserved. but she did not remind
one of the tabled ice-maiden any
longer. A light had come into the
perfect face which made it very at
tractive.-
She had requested that Mr.. Stickney
should be kept in ignorance of her
kind action, but after time it came to
his ears, and he waited for an oppor-
tunity to thank his benefactress. 1t
came at last.
As she was passing him with her
usual parting bow, he stopped her.
"Miss Brown" he said, 81 have be-
come aware of your kind interference
in my behalf. My daughter and her
invalid husband comprise my family,
and bring you an invitation from Mrs.
Delmontaine (my daughter) to take
tea with us tonight. We want to
thank you with our whole hearts,"
You are not indebted to me in the
least, Mr.. Stickney. What l have
been the means of doing has brought
its own reward. My heart is purged
of a bitterness that poisoned its very
fountains. Tell your daughter, how
ever, cannot accept her invitation.
She will understand why when you tell
her | am Sidney Brown, her old school
mate"
The next day note came to Sidney
from Clarice Delmontaine. 1t was
hurriedly written and blotted as though
with tears:
"Oh, Sidney, forgive! My sin has
found me out! Eugene was thrown
from his horse six years ago, and has
been hopeless paralytie since that
time. So you see God has punished US
both for our broken faith to you. Come
to us. Eugene may pass away at any
moment, and it would ease his depart
ing soul to receive your forgiveness
Your faithful but repentant Clarice." :"
Creme Douglass watched Sidney's
face euriously as she read the note.
What meant the change of expression
as she mastered its contents? At first
intense scorn, then intense pity, then
tears!
Sidney looked up and met his eyes.
11uN lOu DSt0 nC"S- MISS DIOWus
There was no mistaking his deep in
terest, and Sidney answered him un-
consciously, as though acknowledging
his right to know.
II can hardly tell" she said simply.
at is news of trial to others; but feel
like one who has gained victory over
myself. pity instead of hate. Oh,
sir, it is fearful thing to hate ones
kind, and all for one persons SIM"
1T is indeed" said Greene gravely.
The key to that strange nature was
in his hand at last.
Sidney and Clarice had been school
:, friends. Clarice had won Sidney's
lover from his allegiance, and had
eloped with him on the eve of what
was to have been Sidney's wedding
day, and from that time the girls heart
had been filled with bitter distrust
toward all mankind.
She had recognized Mr.. Stickney as
her faithless friends father, and had
ihterposed in his behalf with a feeling
that to return good for evil might
bring the blessing of content to her.
self 1t had been from a purely selfish
motive. Now, however, the heart sang
peans.
There is no delight so pure as to be
able to forgive, as Sidney felt when
standing by the wasted form she had
loved so dearly, and who had so dark
ened her life's horizon with his faith
lessness. No bitter feeling was min
gled with her kindly words to the
dying man or to his broken-hearted
J wife; she it was who received Clarice
8 into her arms with silent sympathy
[ when the fleeting breath had left the
3 body of the husband she had loved sc
3 we'll.
A new Joy had come into Sidney's
5 life. While fighting a battle with her.
, self the live Goals she had famed into
a blaze for forgiven enemy's heaC
: had lit spark in a true and faithful
4 heart which time itself could not ex
/, tinguish, SO bright and pure was th'
/, flame. When Creme Douglass told
her of his love, Sidney looked up int
8 his face with her frank eyes, and said
= 81 have been engaged before, ant
:, when he whom / loved proved false
:, the earth and heaven alike were dark
o ened. Do you believe in second love?
Truth cannot love falsehoOd; so
e would not be second love. The tirs
G feeling was for phantom. and van
ished with it like Il dream of the night
|, Sidney. do judge Alright thos
a blushesP All, dearest, you love me
YOU love mep'
t, When grave. dignified man lik
Greene Douglass bends beneath love
l. power, it is Irresistible, and carries a
s. before it. AT least so Sidney found
II when, caught to his heart, he kisse
her blushing face again and again, NJ
+, waiting for an answer. And indee
S there was none needed. Sidney's hal
l. piness was written too legibly upo
Is her face for him To doubt how dear
gift was his love to her defrauded hf
< How the Girls Haze.