The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-11-20
WHOLE No. 1108.


p Rose, watching the slow. languid
ure, attired always in some pretty
dark, mournful eyes, or listening to
the low, sweetly modulated voice of
the interesting invalid, felt great and
tender sympathy for the bright life
which had been so pitilessly blighted
by disease.
She was SO happy herself that it
seemed cruel that any one should be ill
OF suffering.
MY physicians say that my ailment
is consumption, said CaryI Stewart
one day, smiling that slow, sad smile
that always went straight to Roses
heart; but | know better than they,
Rose. l know that / am dying of a
broken heart. Some day l will tell
you. You will come in again to-mor-
rowP" she questioned, lifting her dark
eyes with wistful look.
"Oh. yes" returned Rose, with a
sweet, bright smile. Il will come in
any day-every day-if l can help to
cheer your loneliness, Miss Stewart" :"
She was thinking of that conversation
when Wilbur Severance came to see
ner later In the evening.
But she could not remain melan-
choly long in his presence now, partic-
ularly as he had come for the express
purpose of asking for her hand.
Rose had often pictured this mo-
ment to herself, and she had honestly
resolved to be all sweetness and sin
cerity to this man whom she loved
with all her soul.
But-hOw it was she never could tell
somehow her wilful spirit of coquet-
ry seemed to take possession of her all
in moment, and she laughed, teased,
and evaded her lovers questioning
with persistent wilfulness that
amazed herself.
81 will answer you tomorrow eve
ming" was the reply which he final
ly coaxed from her saucy lips, Il
must have little time to reflect upon
so dreadfully serious matter, Mr.. Sew
erance."
But there was that in the happy,
laughing blue eyes that belietl the will
full red lips, and Wilbur Severance
went away with a cheerful heart in
spite of all.
Il know she loves me, the pretty lit
tie witchr' he smiled as he walked
homeward with light, proud step.
''Others may call her tiirt, but they
don't know her real heart as | do. She
is as true us gold, God bless her."
The following day Rose paid her
promised visit to Miss Stewart, and it
was then that the delicate, pretty in
valid made her the confdante of her
sorrows.
1t was love story, simple enough,
but wondrously sad, thought happy
Rose.
Caryl Stewart had been betrothed
when scarcely more than a child to q
youth but little older than herself
The arrangement had been made en-
tirely by the parents of the two.
But as they grew older, with bet
ter understanding of the situation,
Caryl realized that her whole heart was
involved in the matter while her fiance
proved Indifferent, and finally rebelled
outright against the bonds which he
had no part in creating.
In her pride Caryl had granted him
his freedom, though she broke her own
heart by doing it.
Other suitors she had had, but she
would never love again to her dying
day.
''And that will not be far off," she
ended pathetically, unless | can win
his love. And l don't quite despair OF
doing that yet, Rose. Away from ali
rivals and free from the business-like
fetters that once prejudiced him against
me-more than all, when he realizes at
last that his love and only that can
save my life. Do you think, dear little
Rose, that my hope of yet winning him
is such a wild one after alp"
And she turned her dark eyes. filled
with the passion Os her soul, upon the
girls fair pitying face.
mo, indeed. do not, Miss Stewart" "
she earnestly replied. Il don't think
he could help but learn to love you did
he know all the truth. If he could be
here to see"
He is here, and have met him sew
eral times, though he doesn't know the
strange, mad hope that brought me
here-as vet. have merely told him
that came here for my health.
think you know him, also. Rose" she
added, slowly, watching the girls face,
from beneath her long, dark lashes.
Wilbur Severancew
The sweet, red lips which echoed that
name suddenly grew white as death,
and all the happy light seemed stricken
by one blow from the bright blonde
face.
One moment Roses little hand was
pressed lightly over her heart, and her
very breathing seemed to cease.
Then she spoke almost in her usual
steady tones.
Yes. / know Mr. Severance, we are
quite good friends" she said. And
think he will come back to you yet.
Miss Stewart; indeed l am-am almost
sure he will"
And rising quickly. she murmured a
few parting words, then touching her
cold lips lightly to Caryl Stewards
brow, hastened from the room.
''Oh, why didn't tell him Yes at
once last night, when l loved him sol"
cried Rose, in anguish of heart, as she
hurried home. s'Then it would all
have been settled, and nothing could
have changed it, but now"
Her resolve was already taken; and
when Wilbur called that night she gave
him his answer promptly enough. Il
| was simply No"
The effect it had upon him was indie
scribable. For time he was utterly
speechless with amazement.
| "You cannot mean, Rose, that you
have deliberately intended to deceive
me?" he cried at last. Surely nc
woman under heaven could have 8
heart so hard and false as that! Dc
not trihe this time, Rose. Whatever
your answer is now it must be youl
| final one"
at is final" she answered steadily
81 shall regret the loss of your friend
ship, but l can never be your wife, Mr.
Severance. That is my deliberate, tina
answer"
"And hurled back the lie in th'
teeth of all those who tried to warn mt
against you far what you area soul
less coquette," he said, with bitter
sneering laugh. Il might have save'
nv happiness. but l would not, and
i well, doubtless l deserve my fate TO
being such fool"
He turned on his heel to 90, but Rose
pale and apparently as emotionless a
stone, stepped quietly before him.
She held small basket of fruit an