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

move, stricken by that foe that comes
so suddenly and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
As the day passes the doctors look
graver and graver; and their apprehen-
sions are not without cause, for another
twenty-fOur hours sees those kindly
eyes closed. never to open upon her
sOrrowing niece again.
A few days have gone by. All the
last solemn ceremonies have been COM
pleted, and the will has been opened
and read. But, though in her bereaye-
ment she needs comfort from human
friendship more than ever before, since
the day of the funeral Florence has not
seen her betrothed.
When he does come to her, it is not
with sympathy and consolation. but
with gloomy brow and cold eyes.
Il consider that | have been deceiy-
ed" he says; 81 always understood, AZ
did everyone else, that You were TO be
your aunt's heiress, and now you tell
me that you have known all along that
your aunt had no power to will hel
familF.n
A flame of anger drives away the
sadness from the girls eyes,
"Say no more" she says; 81 will
forestaH your next words. Under ex-
isting circumstances-now that 1 am
not rich, as you enormously supposed
you desire your freedom. / gladly
give it to YOU"
And thus the very i'll that old Mrs.
Wilmott had so fondly hoped a marriage
with her fayorite would avert from her
loved niece, came, and Florence was
cast upon the world to battle her own
way as best she could.
Five years have elapsed. In the
home of a wealthy widow with one
daughter, we again meet our heroine
in the humble capacity of seamstress.
Poor Florence! her struggle has been
hard one. AT first she had tried for
and obtained a position rs teacher; but
her health failing under the unaccus-
toned confinement. she had been obli9-
ed to return to her needle as last re-
sort.
In a few days Rosemaric Villa is to
be the scene of wedding-festivities. to
witness the union of the daughterof the
house, Marie, to the husband of her
choice.
The day arrives. The ceremony is
over. and the rooms are tlronged with
the gaily-cost,med guests. when. de-
sirous to avoid notice, and feeling the
sadder for the recollections of former
days the brilliant scene recalls, Florence
slips out into the quiet garden. and
makes her way to distant arbor,
where only the faintest sound of the
dance-music penetrates. She enters.
and starts back to find it already occu-
pied by a gentleman and an elderly
lady.
She turns to go; but an exclamation
in a voice whose well-relnembered tone
falls upon her ear with vivid effect. stays
her steps.
Miss Adair, can it be that at last my
prayers have been answered, and | have
found you?"
Then, answering the surprise in the
eyes which she lifts to his face, Max
Heatherton-for it is he-takcs her
hand gently, and goes on with eager
rapidity:
II heard of your aunt's death, and
that you We're free. and | sought you at
once; but to find you gone. in what
direction could notascertain. Doyou
know why twas that was more dis
appointed than | can tell? 1t was be-
cause your expressive face and manner,
when you told me of your engagement,
showed me that your heart was not in
it, and l dared to hope that my endur-
ing love would eventually win the day
You do not speak. Have | been too
presumptuous, or is there a possibility
that in the future l may gain the boon
| crave? But stay; in my eagerness
am forgetting propriety. Miss Adair.
this is my mother. A half-hour ago,
feeling faint with the heat of the crowd
ed rooms, she requested me to bring
her to some cool, secluded spot, and we
came here. Mother, this is the Miss
Adair of whom have spoken to you so
often
Then, Florence who had been stand
ing listening to the above almost as if in
a dream, feels her hand drawn into n
gentle clasp. while a sweet voice says
softly:
Il am more than pleased to meet the
girl who has won by her goodness and
beauty, such lasting place in my sons
heart; and hope that we may grow to
know each other well.n
Not at once does Florence give her
wooer an answer, but when it comes it
is very fervent and satisfying.
"You have always been my ideal of
everything noble and good, and, as
your wife, l cannot help but be con-
tent"
So the love that endured conquered
in the end, and one more married pair
testify each dav that passes to the true,
heart-deep happiness a cOngenial union
brings.