Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-02-23

had not heard her.
Thrn she looked backed, AMI was FRIGHT
ened 20 see what distance she was away
from home And as she stood looking, now
at his tall form drawing uncoRss;ously away
from her, and then at the distant lights OF
her home, the first hint of the desolation
that broods over millions of hopeless hearts,
came upon her soul. Her slippers were torn,
and wet with dew, and each step she took
bruised the tender feet that had never known
hurt or WEAKNESS. Her heavy masses Of hair
had been shaken from their fastenings, and
hung at full length to her waist. She fan
cied herself some lost, friendless Magdalen,
for whom the world, that fawns on the for
tunate and proud, had only taunts and cruel
blows. And were there women who had to
face the world alonei fight their own battles
with timid hearts! earn their own right to
breathe, with sinking heartsl
What was that, a step, mans step coming
toward herr To her excited Imagination at
that moment her beautiful home and the
elegant life she loved so well seemed things of
the past
She gathered her hair into loose coil and
let her dress trail on the walk to cover her
feet. The man wore workman's clothes
She had hoped he might be gentleman
She tried to keep on the outer edge of the
sidewalk; she would have taken the road il
she had dared. She looked away from the
man, but she could see with beating heart he
was coming directly toward her. But per-
haps he did not see her, and he might turn
aside yet. God grant he be an honest man,
whose wife's loving face was in his thoughts
m 4, Il..A
instead of moving aside the man stopped
short just before her, and she raised her big,
scared eyes to his face
why, Bertha, 1 thought it was YOU"
Sure enough it was Philip Breton He had
come from the mill, where there had been
some extra work, and wore his working
clothes.
'Let me walk home with you," he said
very gently, as if he had no right TO assert
any privilege with her.
ri came too far, and got frightened" )" she
said dreamily, as she rested her hand on his
arm.
Her hand was cold, but it sent his young
blood tingling through his veins.
II am so sorry How he longed to catch
her white hand to his lips, and warm it with
kisses. But lately she had treated him with
new coldness, and her coldness he dare not
meet. He dreaded to face it, it panied him so
past endurance, and he had called on her but
seldom since the night of the fire. But now
his heart was full of eloquent love; SO full he
could not conceive of her not sharing in it.
It was she called it forth, she must have
something for him.
They had reached her gate. She would
surely invite him to go in with her. Then
s.lc'coulI tell him if he had done anything to
d.s,llea9e her. He could remember nothing,
li.1a3 thorc might have been some unconscious
cold word or tone, as if, poor fellow, he had
not boon onty too tender with her.
Good night" she said. She had lost the
trclnor in her voico fright had given her, and
all the softness of heart of her loneliness,
II thank you" she added, coldly, as he did
not go, but stood looking as if he did not
quite understand.
Good night" he ans wered, with u great
throb in his throat. He stumbled awk-
wardly, as he went dow the steps; he could
not sec very we'll for th mist in his eyes.