Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-08-15
itY2 be aid in puzzled inouirY.

BILE through and through. 1 do not
respect you, and ] dlspise my old self
thoroughly for listening to you
The man of the world changed color
at these home truths. He had been
charged upon so Unexpectedly by a
brave, beautiful, brilliant woman, in
stead Of meeting the dropping violet
who had taken his fancy, that it is
small wonder he was nonplused.
i ask your pardon, he said genuine
ly. 'You have taught me lesson. |
thank you for it.
i can scarcely thank you for your
lesson she rejoined quickly. Her
outraged pride was stinging her sore.
ly.
Il would give much to revoke it,
he said seriously.
You cannotp she retorted.
With last regretful glance and
bow he left the room withou: another
word.
Mercy stood still a moment, with
those burning cheeks and flashing
eyes, listening to his retreating steps
down the stairs; then she began to
walk up and down the room rapidly.
Courage! Be strongp seemed to
sound over her shoulder.
There was another and heavier step
upon the stairs presently, and a brisk
rap at the door. When she opened it
a big strong man with embrowned,
kindly face was standing there, and
the honest eyes that had been reflected
over her in the mirror of the millin-
cry store were regarding her keenly.
Mercy Rideaway?' he questioned,
half obviously.
Yes; am Mercy Rideway.' she re-
turned with a curious prescience how
ering about her, as she opened the
door wide and he stepped into the full
lamplight of her room.
Yes. I knew I was not mistaken,
he said, continuing his scrutiny of her
face. That's the Rideaway nose, sure
enough, and you've got Aunt Deb's
mouth and chin
who are your cried Mercy, i'm,
petuously.
Sam; your brother sam. You can
see the Rideaway features, can't you?
Yes yes!' she cried, as she saw the
reproduction of her fathers honest
face. You're brother Sam. would
know you for Rideaway anywhere
We heard you were dead long ago
killed in the mining explosion
well. wasn't I've been mining
and specializing and fighting my hard
luck for years, and finally the jade
turned around and shook hands with
me. Everything l touched prospered.
l started East to look you up. Got as
far as New York yesterday, and, as
good luck is on my track, went into
the Academy of Music this afternoon,
got squaint at your face, and fol-
lowed you. Didn't you see me look
ing over your shoulder in the glass
where there was so much toggery in
the Window
No. said Mercy, family. She was
overcome by multiplicity of emo
tlons, and was crying softly, with her
face on Sans shoulder. Why! why!
is this how you welcome fellow?' he
said, in a rallying tone, patting her
head, while there were tears in his own
voice.
Perhaps I'm crying for joy she
whispered.
Then that's all right, reioined Sam.
L can wait till you get ready to laugh.
THAT your beau I met outsider he
queried, when Mercy again lifted he1
head .... ,
No, returned Mercy, rather sharp
ly.
Il asked him if Mercy Rideway lived
here, and just said, in case he had any
objection, that was your brother
from Colorado ~
4 hate himp said Mercy, then hid
her face again on Sans shoulder.
'Oh, Sam, I'm, so glad, so glad you
come!' she sobbed.
Sam didn't understand women very
well, but his instincts were all right.
Remember how you used to go fish
ing with me in the lake brook when
you were little tot, he whispered,
reminiscently, and how you helped
me build loads of hay, and what. a lit.
tie tyrant you were when you took
notion, and how you cried to ride on
the OK yoke between old Buch and
Bright?'
Mercy began to laugh through her
tears.
Yes! yesr she assented, brightly, as
the old memories rushed to the front;
and don't you remember how l
pushed you off slippery log into the
lake brook, and how you walked home
dripping, and I pattered on after you
carrying the trout, and feeling sort of
ashamed?
They sat until nearly midnight
talking over the past.
I've got money Sam said, conf
dentially, 'and I'm going to spend it