The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-11-02

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to move to the West My mother felt
as glad to go as he. AS for me,
to pass Debbie in the road without
speaking had become uncomfortable.
We left the place. and in the Western
town, that grew like mushroom on
the spot that was little more than a
wilderness when we settled there, /
made my fortune in business which
was the outgrowth of my surroundings.
With the best luck it takes some time
to make fortune, and by the time
was really RI had come to forty
years and passed 1t.
My parents were both dead, and
had not married. had tried to fall
in love. but could not; and, If you will
not think me puppy, l will tell you
that, being pecuniary ''catch," l was
rather prosecuted. Anxious parents
with fine families Of grown daughters
flung them at my head, and the girls
themselves were not behindhand. If
could have, believed that my personal
qualities made me appear in the light
of prize should have been flattered
and might have succumbed; but knew
my money was the bait which all those
pretty fish were anxious to nibble, and
l resolved to leave the place for awhile.
| The wealth that seemed so great from
a local point of view was not an unu-
sual amount of money in New York,
whore millionaires have grown COM
mon, and found the great metropolis
pleasant, and made friends there.
Amongst them soon numbered an old
bachelor of literary tastes. who told
me that he had taken fancy to me.
He proved it by being very confiden-
| tial.
"You are twenty years younger than
l." he said; "but still you are of an
age when men are usually married.
Perhaps you can comprehend how you
might go on for twenty years more,
and never find woman who seemed
exactly what you wantedP"
Perfectly" said l.
"Now I've had women set their caps
for me-" said he. Handsome women,
too. Perhaps you don't believe itp"
"Indeed, l do" said 1, out of my own
experience.
"Ah, you've been there; you've been
there" said Mr.. Groton. "Well, /
couldn't respond. My fault; not theirs.
But lately I've met woman who actu-
ally does move me, but l have my
doubts. I'm afraid l sha'n't be happy.
She's blue stocking"
"Ah!" said /, not knowing what else
to remark.
I'm afraid of blue-stockings," said
Mr.. Groton. "They are usually bad
housekeepers, / am told, and they don't
look up to one. Iwish to be looked up
to. But have great faith in you. She's
to be at Mrs. Parker's on Wednesday
evening. I'll ask to bring you. And
you could do what can't-put leading
questions; discover what her domestic
qualities are-she suspects me; II
daren't-and give me your opinion.
There is a widow, very handsome
Mrs. Cromlich-that may be more suit
able. But there's a charm about my
blue-stocking. She doesn't write very
masculine books; they are about birds
and squirrels, and bees and flowers
children books. But still you'll oblige
a friend. II you approve, I'll see her
home and offer myself on the way; if
not, I'll ask to be the widows escort
and propose to her. l can't waste time
at my age, and / want to settle down.
Cross-question her, pray
promised, and on Wednesday even
ing entered Mrs. Parker's parlors.
There she sits at the table" whis-
pered the bachelor. pretty shoulders,
ehp"
nodded, for Mrs. Parker advanced,
and there was no time for words. | was
introduced.
~ want him to know your literary
friend. AS a stranger, he ought to know
our shining lights" said Mr.. Groton,
with great cunning.
.'Delighted!' said Mrs. Parker. ''Mr.
Ashton, this way, please. Miss Doane,
Mr.. Ashton desires an introduction.
OF course you have read all Miss Deb
orah Doane's works? What my chill
dren would do without them can not
say. They are an education by them
Selves"
''Debbie turned authoress!' l
thought. 1t could not be. Yet Miss
Deborah Doane! Was it coincidenceP
1t was not, for the lady turned as her
hostess spoke to Debbie-Debbie still
more elegant, if not quite SO pretty.
She knew me at a glance; and as l
held her hand, all my old love awoke
afresh in my heart. And there stood
Mr.. Groton listening, and Mrs. Parker
and the children, and what could | say
to her? did not remark, 81 have had
that pleasure" nor did she. We sat
and talked to each other before an
audience until supper time. Then old
Groton whispered to me, "Take her
down." And l did. And still my
audience was large and attentive.
had discovered that she. like my
self, was alone in the world. l saw
that she was ready to meet me half
way. Yet the hour for parting ap-
preached, and If old Groton took her
home, proposed to her. and was ac-
cepted, all was over And yet while
strangers listened to my words, what