The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-01-17
FOR HELEN'S SAKE.

In the parlors of the Idewild Hotel,
Professor Wienerausky had just con.
cluded a wonderful piece of legarde-
main, and as the plaudits of his audi
ence died away, he stood facing them,
trifle paler than usual, with his eyes
resting upon little box which he held
in his hands.
Now, ladies and gentlemen" he
said in slow measured way, Il am
going to show you a little trick in
which you will be the principal per.
formers. You see this box? 1t is
empty. 1 shall pass it around the
audience, and with your kind assist
ance, when it is returned to me it will
be full-of gold-pieces let us say"
A smile, half scOrnful, half satirical,
curled the corners of his mouth, which
was shaded by a small black nous
tache.
He stepped forward, and gave the
box to a gentleman standing near.
People felt for their purses.
What Il pity" murmurcd one of q
group of ladies in the corner. "Such
seems to be. l should think he'd find
better occupation. l say, Maya,
have you any changeP | haven't a
bit"
The dark-eyed girl who was thus
saluted made no reply. She was look
ing, with parted lips and half-closcd
hands, at the so-called Professor Wien
erausky.
"Mayaw cried her friend, shaking
her gently. Have you gone to sleep,
or arc you bewitchedP"
"No," said the girl slowly; but /
wanted to make sure. Anna, l know
that man."
''What manP"
"Why, Professor-er-Wh docs
he call himself? 1t is Walter Grafton. "
''Maya," cried her friend in we'll
bred horror, '''you are crazy! How
could you know "a person like
thatP"
ut is Walter Graftonw she persisted.
81 used to go to school with his sister
Helen. She fell in the gymnasium one
winter and hurt her back. She had
curvature of the spine. l used to go
to see them when they lived in Darby
street. They were orphans; l knew
them very we'll"
"Goodness!" exclaimed Anna Har-
well. "How annoying! OF course
you can't recognise the man."
"Why notP" said Maya, sharply, as
she dropped her contribution into the
magIcian's box. liam an orphan, too.
Am l any better than they because my
father happened to leave me a fortune
and they are pennilessp
mo; but her friend replied
hesitatingly, ''he need not have taken
another name"
..The Graftons are very proud"
Maya said simply. "There! he is looking
this way. He has recognized me am
sure"
"Maya. you are not going to bow to
him!" cried her friend in a panic.
"Don't-please don'tm
There was no need of such 4 strong
appeal, however.
The moment Professor Wienerausky's
eyes rested on Maya's face, a deep
mortifying flush sufused his counte-
nance. He dropped his eyes and turned
aside quickly, to busy himself with the
implements of his trade, which were
scattered over the table.
Maya saw that her gaze and presence
confused him. He gave her one more
look, which seemed to implore her to
90 away. She rose from her seat and
went out.
After the performance Professor
Wienerausky left the hotel. He had
taken room, but he gave it up.
As the waning moon rose out of the
ocean, he was walking alone up and
fhn hnonh in AnSnnrnfn
patient way.
"Oh." he cried in an agony of shame
''to think that / should meet her face tC
face in this way! She knew me.
saw it in her eyes. And she would
have spoken to me. All, but that was
good of her! Why should she recog
Mise n travelling Snowman, a mOunte
bank. slight-of-hand manP Yes, tina
is all l am. And to think that NJ
matter what do afterwards, the worlC
will always remember this against mi
this of all thingsr'
'Mr. Graftonm
He started at the sOnnd of his name
He had not heard light swift step ol
the sand, and when he turned he wa
astonished to see Maya BreOke's fai
face close to his shoulder.
She held out her hand to him.
Il am glad to see you," she said
smiling.
For a moment his heart leaped, an
he longed-Oh, how he lOnged!-to tax
shat dear little hand in his-take
and never let it go.
But he told himself that he owed he
better treatment.
| Il thi,,I hnun tho ohUa N n O
of me he said with an effort, and h
drew himself back. MY name
Wienerausky."
al beg your pardon" said Maya /
her own wilful way; lit is no sue
thing. Don't be foolish, Mr.. Graftor
can't you recognize an old friend?
want to hear about Helen-why di
she never write to meP have con
pletely lost sight of you."
MADAM" lie said hurriedly, ''yo
are mistaken-you are indeed, and
YOU will allow me to suggest it, yo
ought not to come down here alone
speak TO a man who"
al am not alone" she said, DRAWN
back suddenly; ''my maid is with m
few steps away. l came to speak
an old friend, but see that my etfor
are not appreciated. You refuse
recognize me-"
You have mistaken my identit.
madam" he said in strained voice.
"In that case," she retorted, 81 b.
your pardon and bid you good-ev
ming"
She turned from him abruptly, al
in a moment she was gone.
But what it cost him to refuse
recognise her she never knew. /
stood rooted to the spot, looking aft
her with a desperate longing.
THANK God was able to resist heI
he breathed. Il would not have II
exposed to comment. What wou
they say if they knew she claimed
quaintance with slight of hand p'
former? No, no! could not bear tn
i could not bear thatn'
\ Maya rushed into her room at
hotel in q fit of vexation.
4 "Why, where have you beenP" crl
Anna Harwell, who was waiting
her. "You know You asked me to bri
up my new tea-gown after the perfor