Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-08-22


cheese-merekant, about forty-fve years Of
age-a big man, with fiorid complexion
aud red whiskers tinged with gray meet
ing under his chin. As he came up to
her, Lucy could see that he was troubled
in his mind.
''Miss Graham" he began, rather alb
ruply, ~ have Just heard the strangest
rumor about you-that it's all q mistake
about your money, mean. don't
understand it, for" The worthy
cheese merchant stopped. He could hard
ly tell the girl that he had instituted care
full inquiries about the deceased Peter
Graham. ''Is it truel" he asked.
''If you mean, is it true that am not
wealthy, certainly it is true," answered
Lucy with flashing eyes.
Mr.. Sandeman sat gazing over the sea,
one hand spread out on each of his knees,
rejecting many things in his swift mind.
Willingly would he break off the match;
but how? Visions of an indignant dam
sci, jury of his fellow countrymen, a
terrific cross-examining counsel, "a soul har-
rowing check, and the undying witt
cisms of his friends, chased one another
across his brain. No; it could not be
risked. Beside, the girl before him was
young, bonny, and a lady. The loss of
the money was a sad dispensation of
Providence, but it could not be helped.
Therefore Mr.. John Sandeman heaved
an elephantine sigh, and turned to his
fiancee with smile on his face.
Lucy was thunderstruck. The man
was going to hold her to her world She
had never contemplated such catas-
trophe. "Oh, this is awful" she said TO-
herself, as her betrothed slipped his
hand into hers, as a matter of course.
She gently drew her hand away. "The
sooner the BETTER" she whispered to her
self; then aloud, but in a very subdued
tone:
''Mr. Sandeman, I fear I have been
very much to blame, and I hope you will
forgive me. The truth is, was only in
jest when accepted your offer the other
day. 1t was very wrong. You must
forgive me. I am very sorry"
Mr.. John Sandeman rose, and held out
his hand magnanimously. He had found
his tongue.
''Miss Graham" he said, ''I forgivt
your little jest freely 1t was only a
joke on both sides, wasn'tit We never
meant to be serious. But hope we shall
always be friends-the best of friends,
Miss Graham"
And Mr.. Sandeman performed won
derful bow which proclaimed "Finls,
and, with satisfaction visible on his coun-
tenance, departed.
$50 even he was glad to be rid of me, -
she thought.
Poor Lucyl her feelings were very bit
ter just at that moment. The blow she
had struck so effectively at her mercenary
lovers had proved that they were worth
less; but she had also discovered how lit
tie the world thought of her. She felt
mortified.
She was, to tell the truth, very nearly
crying, when she caught sight of the jol-
ly, sun-burnt face of Tom Denniston, sec
ond mate of the Strathspey, whom sht
had known from her childhood. He wa!
coming quickly near her. ooh, Tom
I'm so glad to see you'
care you Lucy?" returned Tom, as hi
face frightened up, and he sat down be
side her. He thought Lucy Graham hat
never looked so handsome. There was
touch of feeling, too, in her eyes he hat
never seen before. "Are you really glac
to see me, Lucy3"
"Of course I am, you stupid fellow.
"Lucy, do you know what heard jus
now2-that it is all mistake about you
. granduncle, or whoever it was, leavin!
you that mountain of money-that, il
fact, you are not rich at all. Is'it true9
= Lucy nodded, without looking up.
"Oh, Lucy !'cried Tom, his honest eye
all in blaze, ''then there's chance fo
me. I couldn't speak when I though
! you were so wealthy. 1t would hav
:, looked mean. But have loved you a
:. my whole life, Lucy!" Here the sailc
dropped on his knee that he might loo
= up into the girls eyes and read his fat
- there. She just glanced up at him, an
her eyes fell before his-a thing they ha
never done before.