The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-07-26
IN PERIL.

AAAe
The snow lay white on all the land
scape about Edgewaretown-on the
bare boughs of the great forest trees, on
the railing of the bridge that crossed
the frozen brook, on roofs, and doors.
and lintels.
A streak of yellow on the horizon
told of the fast-fading sunset, and all
dots of the same color started out at
intervals, as the householders lighted
their lamps.
Passing these lights and advancing
towards the bridge came young girl,
dressed in grey. with a white cloud
of feathery wool twisted around her
head and neck in a graceful and be-
coming manner. Her skin was fair,
with rose-leaf tint in it. Her eyes
and sweet, and red; the expression of
her face pensive.
AS she reached the bridge she paused
and looked about her, as though ex-
pecting someone.
''Surely he will come," the girl said
to herself-''surely he will not leave
me without one word of farewellr'
As she spoke whistle sounded from
the woods on the other side of the
bridge, and the well-built figure of a
young man appeared.
''You came, my darlington camel"
he said, as he FASTENED to the girl and
threw his arms about her. and kissed
her rosy lips with freedom of be-
trothed lover. Il feared you would
be prevented. l did not hope that l
should really meet you after all"
Il had to be very deceitful in order
to do it, Harry" said the girl. 81 pre-
tended | had a headache, and father
sent me to bed. He has set Nathan
Bee to watch me, and but that they think
me locked into my room 1 should not
be here. | got out upon the shed and
jumped into the soft snow.''
''My darling-ny little treasured
said the young man softly. ''When
shall see you again? Can write to
you? Win you receive my letters?'
Address them under cover, to my
cousin Annie" said the girl. ''She
will be true to me. Oh, Harry, to
think you are really going so far
awaym
She burst into tears.
He gathered her up in his arms.
Il will make my fortune. will re-
turn to You famous. Only be true
only be truer' he whispered. ''When
you are of age you can do as you
please. No one can forbid our mar
riage then Harkr'
The clock in the church-tower struck,
dropping six slow strokes into the
wintry air.
Il must go, love-" said the young
man. 81 must leave you. Oh, it is
hardr'
Again and again he kissed her. Then
he stood looking into her eyes. and
holding both hands tightly clasped
within his own.
you will not forget? You will not
marry Nathan Bee?"
'.Oh, Harry"
''And how will you get back to your
'oom again?"
81 shall open the door and walk in.
It will please me to see Nathan Bees
foxy eyes turn green, and his sharp
'ed nose, when he knows he has played
,he spy in vain," said the girl.
''Does sthee say SOP" said slow
voice behind them. Nathan Bee is
not so easily outwitted."
And from behind tree emerged the
spare form of a young Quaker. followed
Dy the stout and sturdy figure of an
elderly man, also in the grave costume
IF the Friends.
The girl uttered little scream, and
,lung to her lovers arm.
He threw his head back, squared his
shoulders, and looked the elder man in
.he face, not insolently but proudly.
''Thy conduct is unseemly, Lettice,"
said the elder Friend gravely. Let
oose that young mans arm; did | not
forbid thee to see him again.
1--WE love each other, SIR said the
young man; t'and am going far away.
We meet only to part, though, l shall
return one day to claim her prom
se."
Il am plain Friend Ogleby, and not
SIR" replied the Quaker. Thou canst
nave no promise from my daughter.
She can marry no one of whom dis
approve. Thou art an ungodly mounte
bank
II am an actor" said the young
man. 1T is an honorable profession"
Not in my eyes, said the Quaker.
MY soul revolts from thee. Ny
daughter will repent her folly. and
marry as 1 desire"
Yes; yes; thee is right-she will, "
said Nathan Bee, rubbing his hands.
''Lettice will remember she is a plain
Friend of good repute, and no consort
for the painted women of the stage,
nor for the male jackanapes who prink
and skip thereon"
Nathan Bee," cried the young actor,
II will endure Friend Ogleby's re-
marks with patience; he is my supe-
rior in years, and the father of one l
love, but open your lips again to let
such epithets escape them, and | will
knock you down"
81 am man of peace; but thee will
not lay thy hands upon me-" said Ma
than; but he removed himself little
farther from the group. q
mo more words need be wasted"
said Friend Ogleby. MY daughter
10 not for thee, nor such as thee. Go
thy way; thou hast taught my girl to
forget the plain language, and to long
for the ways of the worlds people. l
will take care that she never sees thee
again"
He caught his daughter by the arm.
and led her away through the snow.
Nathan fingered behind.
perhaps thine eyes will turn green
and thy nose red instead of mine," he
said. .'The dainty morsel yonder is
made for thy betters, master clown"
A moment more he lay upon his
back on the bridge, and Harry stood
over him with doubled fists and heay-
ing chest.
"Have care" he cried; ''there is
murder in my heart when / look at you
and think of Letticem
Lettice heard the words, and turning
her arms imploring towards
him. And thus she vanished from
sight as he entered the wood-path.
ssAnd l must leave her." he sighed;
..I must leave her to those two men.
Can she have the strength to remain
true to meP'
He walked on rapidly, for. the shad-
ows were gathering and the railroad
station was far away. Once he stood
aside, for his quick ear caught dull