The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-04-26
A BROKEN ENGAGEMENT

A day in June, the month of roses;
the air all fragrant with their delicious
perfume; above, the sky one mass OF
ieecy clouds, cleaning and white upon
their azure background.
BY the side of tiny lakelet. upon
whose bosom water-lilies rest their
snowy chalices, are two ladies. one old,
and one in the first exquisite dawn of
the loveliness womanhood has brought
her. Truly Florence Adair is beautiful
in every sense of the word.
There is an expression of loving
pride in the old lady's eyes as she looks
at her niece that is certainly justifiable.
She draws her closer to her side.
s.Flossie, darling, l have to thank
you for making me inexprcssibly hap
py," she says. Rupert has told me. -
A faint crimson rises to the girls
cheek. as, averting her face from her
aunt's gaze, she says softly:
''Auntie, please do not speak to me
about it just yet. 1t is so new.
haven't grown accustomed TO it even in
my thoughts"
For the past ten years Florence
Adair has lived with the rich and child
less widow she calls aunt, receiving all
of a mothers love and tenderness, and
giving in return an adoring affection
that would pause at no sacrifice to
prove its strength. And thus it is that,
solely to please her to whom she owes
so much, she has betrOthed herself to
the husband Mrs WimOtt has chosen
for her.
In her youth, when old Mrs Wilmott
I, fai oh, ho1
had two suitors, of whom the most as
siduous had won the day.
The other lived for years lonely dis
appointed man, until at length he, too,
married.
A son had been born to him, who at
the age of eighteen had been left an
orphan.
But that son-Rupert Ludlow-had
not had an opportunity to know want;
for old memories stirring within her,
and inclining her tenderly towards him,
Mrs Wilmott had taken his welfare in
to her own hands.
And now she makes no secret of the
delight she feels in the cOnsummation
of her favorite scheme.
1t was Mrs. Wilmott's desire that her
niece's engagement should not be an
nounced just at present.
ut is not necessary, as Rupert is to
be gone so long upon that business for
me. want you to have a gay time
this winter, and engaged girls are al
ways wall-fiowers, she had said; and
Florence had acquiesced indifferently.
Our story began in Glenmere, Mrs.
Wilmott's lovely summer home; but
- no
country has given place To tile gayer
attractions of the city.
1t is evening, and the drawing-rooms
of one of fashions leaders are thronged
by those whom the cards of invitation
have drawn together.
Two gentlemen stand at little dis
tauce from the hostess watching the ar
rivals. One. is young and boyish; the
0ther-Mr. Heatherton-tall and state
ly, impressed the beholder at once with
the certainty that his is no ordinary
character.
He has been looking on at the
brilliant scene about him with appar-
emily no great interest, when suddenly
an expression of intense admiration
lights up his face, as, grasping his COM
panion's arm, he says softly:
Harry, who is that young girl.
there, coming towards your mother,
with the old lady in black velvetP"
THAT is Miss Adair. Do you think
her handsome?"
Handsome does not express 1t!
must have an introduction. She is the
most exquisite being ! ever saw, and
she looks as good as she is lovely"
Harry Arnold laughs amusedly.
"a clear case of love at first sight. ]
Will present you
A few months went by, and suddenly,
TO Florence's dismay, she learned that
the kind friend she had grown to like
so much had all the time been cherish
ing other and dearer hopes. The girls
eyes filled with tears as she answered
Mr. Heathertop's unexpected avowal OF
his love for her, and told him frankly
why it was his hopes must be futile,
81 did not know you felt in this way,
Mr.. HeathertOn." she says earnestly,
land / hope You will not blame me foF
not speaking of my engagement before.
1t was my aunt's wish that il should not
be announced until my betrOthed's re-
turn from abroad. | never, until this
moment. dreamed that you felt for me
anything but friendship, or that -
She paused. the rich blood rising in
a rosy glow to her very brow. What
was She about to say? What were the
words that trembed on her lips?
Max Heatherton is too much OF q
gentleman to take advantage Of her
confusion. but these are his thoughts:
at is duty engagement. She does
not love this man. But whether she
does or not, there is. no chance for me.
She has too much principle to break
her piighted word.
An hour later, in a passion of tears,
Florence flung herself upon her knees
in her own room, Her maiden heart
has been awakened from its PepoSe at
last, and the conviction has been forced
upon her that the calm sisterly affee-
ton she bears towards Rupert is differ
ent from this strange chaotic feeling
with which Max HeathertOn's impas-
stoned words have thrilled her being,
and that in refusing this mans noble
heart she has lost something out of her
life that can never come again.
For long time she kneels there,
battling with herself. When she rises
her face is very white and resolved.
II must do my duty ! betrothed
myself to Rupert because / knew it was
the dearest wish of my kind aunt's
heart, and now that my word is given,
! will not take it back"
Time goes on, and Rupert has re-
turned, aud the day has been fixed for
the wedding. Butan appalling shadow
intervenes the shadow Of death.
One morning dawns and finds Mrs.