The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-17
MORE THAN FRIENDS.


All is beautiful within the stately
dwelling; but its fairest ornament
at the present moment is the fairy
like child who listens with wondering
earnestness to a story from the lips
of the young heir, Percy Delmar. As
he concludes she draws a deep quiv-
ering sigh.
s'Oh, Percy, wish you had made it
trouble somewhere in their lives, but |
do want them to be happy at last!'
'tBut, Alice, mamma says life is al
great writer, must tell the truth
And the boys large dark eyes rested
thoughtfully on the girls bright face
Percy had noble head, but his form
was marred in its proportions by a
curvature of the spine caused by fall
in infancy.
Alice Crayton was the child of Mrs.
Delmar's most valued friend, and
nothing afforded the child such genu-
inc pleasure as a day spent with Percy,
who was, in her eyes, the living incar-
nation of all that was good and noble.
And he? All, the boy, with his poet
heart, was rapidly growing to crystal
lise all thoughts and hopes for the fu-
ture about little golden-haired Alice.
His story ended there was pause.
Then the silence was broken by Percy.
He had been pondering upon Alice's
words.
''You say truly, Alice. If one could
be happy at the last, itwould not mat
ter what came between; but you and
| never will be unhappy, will we?
When | grow to be man, you shall
be my little wife, and l will take you
everywhere. Well sail through the
streets of Venice by moonlight, and
the gondolier shall sing for us while
he rows his boat. Well visit Rome,
and play I'm slave, fighting the lions
for my freedom in that old Colosseum,
and you shall be the princess, and give
the signal for the combat to stop. Then,
last of all and best, we'll go to the
Holy Land, and maybe we'll find that
pool where the angel used TO trouble
the waters. Oh, Alice, if that could
happen in these days, I'd stand for any
length of time till l might lose my
hump!' aud Percy's animated face
clouded with sudden sadness.
Alice touched her dimpled fingers
softly to his poor curved back, as she
said reproachfully:
Don't call it by such a dreadful
name. It's only dwarfs that you read
of in fairy tales who have humpsi You
don't look bit bad; only little
crooked"
Percy looked pleased. For the first
time there had come to him longing
which would grow with his growth and
strengthen with his strength, in the
years which were to mould Alice from
the child to the ''perfect woman nobly
plannedn-a longing to have thatcome-
illness of figure and proportion which
would render him her fitting mate. So
her words soothed and comforted away
his momentary morbidness of feeling.
Several years have passed. The Del
mar mansion is ablaze with light,
and fragrant with flowers. Carriages
whirl up to the entrance to leave the
guests, who are thronging thither in
groups to celebrate the young heirs
coming of age.
Percy stands beside his mother. At
the first glance, one would hardly no.
tice that the firmly knit frame was not
of perfect proportion, so interesting is
the dark intellectual face, with its mag
netic eyes, and look of suppressed
power; but second look shows that
his shoulders are slightly higher than
they should be.
Still he is noble-looking youth.
When engaged in conversation his
face is all sparkling with animation,
but if for moment he is silent, look
absent from his boyish face makes it
self noticed-a grave expression, which
it is pitiful to see on one SO young.
His eyes seem irresistibly drawn to-
ward group who are standing little
distance away. Its center of attraction
is young girl. She has changed in
height, and her full rounded figure is
no longer that of a child, but it is easy
torecognize her. 1t is Alice Crayton,
grown into perfect fultillment of her
early promise.
She is peerlessly beautiful Every
motion of her perfect form is as grace
full as it is unstudied.
An elegant-looking man stands be-
side her, listening with an expression
of fiattering interest to her slightest
word. The tongue of Madame Rumor
is connecting their names together,
and all say it is match suitable in
every respect. Handsome. accom-
plished. wealthy; such a complete con-
trast, too; in looks; for Alice is fair
and petite, her bright head barely reach
ing the dark Spanish-looking Gilbert
Framley's shoulder.
This suitor of Alice's and Percy Del
mar are friends; and the day after the
party, Gilbert calls, and finding that
Alice has gone to drive with Mrs. Del
mar, he asks for Percy, and is shown
at once to the library, the young heirs
favorite resort.
Percy rises, smothering momentary
feeling which, for the first time, makes
the sight of that handsome smiling face
unwelcome.
''Good-morning, De1mar. Poring
over your books as usualp. 1t is evi-
dent you have hardly thought be-
yond them. Well, you are a happy
fallowf Y0u eSeaOo manv A. heart