The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-09-11
He went from her presence in

hopeful state of mind.
mot Just yet. but by and by" he
told himself; and in the midst of his
reverie he was startled by voice.
doctor, hasten to the Bend. there
has been an accident on the track, and
several are wounded"
In few moments he had reached
the scene of the disaster; the first
victim he saw was handsome, white
faced man, lying like one dead. near
the embankment.
He leaned over him, and discovered
that he still lived; then he picked up
a letter that had fallen from his pocket
1t was opened, and addressed to
LEROY PALMER.
Morton House, City,
DR.. Godfrey started back, and looked
again into the pallid countenance; the
perfect vet rather effeminate features,
the dark curling hair, the white soft
throat, were all those of the type of
man he imagined Elsie's recreant lover
to be.
what strange fate brought him
here?" he thought, and a sudden re-
sentiment rose within him; then ho
grew ashamed of the feeling, and set
his lips firmly.
II will take him to my home," he
thought; SO when Leroy Palmer re-
covered, he found himself amid cozy
surroundings, and comfortable as was
possible.
DR.. Godfrey looked into the violet
hued eyes-that lent the dark face new
beauty; how dangerously handsome
this man was; just the type calculated
to win girlish fancy. Elsie must
have made hero of him. but to the
keener eyes of this thoughtful man the
weak nature stood revealed.
'You are Leroy Palmerp"
Yes, and what a plight I'm in,
said the low. rich tones. DISABLED,
ehP"
well. you will not be able to leave
this room for several davs."
Leroy looked at his aching limb in
cased in fine. light cloth, and shrugged
his shoulders.
What must be, must be-" he said
lightly. This is your home? You
are kind to stranger
DR.. Godfrey did not see Elsie for a
few days; he would not tell her of this
mans presence, nor did her name pass
his lips till one day-a bright day in
early July, day never to be forgot
ten.
Leroy Palmer was able to walk about
the garden. and talked of gong on his
way before the week was over.
'.Pm in search of a lost treasure" he
said. in his light. half jesting way.
81 cast aside heart once and now l
want to find it. 1 have never known
peace since"
DIR. Godfrey experienced sudden
chill. This man was looking for FL
sic! Should he tell him where to find
her or let him go on his way in igno-
rance? All, it was bitter temptation,
his hopes had been so bright, success
seemed so near, and now he saw an
end of it all.
Why not let the gay trifier depart?
Yet stay Elsie still loved Leroy;
could he win her with a shadow OF
this deception between them? No,
his duty was clear.
You are speaking of Elsie Bene-
dict?" he said.
Leroy's dark face glowed.
You know?" he cried. ''Why, is
she here thenP"
81 was her physician; during her
delirium 1 learned her story; your
name was ever on her lips"
''Elsie ill-why, l did not know.
Can see her at once?"
II will drive you to her home," the
doctor answered.
Would he ever forget that ride
through the July sunshine with the
handsome careless man beside him.
III l. l.
to himself, ''but she loves him."
Elsie was in the garden; he saw her
pale draperies through the strawberries
as he paused for Leroy to alight.
81 will make a call and return in
about half an hour" he said, and then
drove on with bitterest agony of spirit.
In fancy he saw the lovers meeting,
the clasping of hands, the tender
glances; he heard Leroy plead for for
giveness; he saw Elsie, yielding and
happy,
"God, it is hardr' he groaned. ST
might have won her-she would have
been mine-mine
Yet, calm and dignified as ever, he
approached the cottage awhile later.
To his surprise Elsie was leaning on
the gate alone. Her eyes met his
frankly, smilingly.
Leroy has gone" she said.
"What does that mean? You did
not send him away?"
Mo; IL only said that THAT is
-well-n
The doctor was beside her then and
had her hand in his.
''Elsie, you have dismissed him
H. Ia;