The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-01-12

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Every whit like poor sister Constance
she sighed, "just so impetuous, just so re
gardless Of consequences"
AS the day went on Clarice grow more
and moro puzzled in her own mind as tc
whether her attempted flight had been pur
posely intercepted, or whether 1t was mere
| chance that her aunt and train had appeared
at the critical moment.
| Her doubts were set aside in mid-after
noon, when Mrs Winterield, having had
I her nap, sent for Clarice to come to her
room
my child, sit down." was her rather
agitated greeting.
Clarice obeyed.
"Is it true, Clarice, Is it true that you were
| clipping with that young man this morningF'
Clarice was prepared to be defiant.
sit is true"
"Whcre were you goingW
II was going to his mothers house."
"And you were to be married"
tYesn
"Do you think that a dignifed thing for a
young lady to dol"
"Quite as dignifed as for the woman who
should be my mother to try to make me
marry man hate-a man old enough to be
my grandfather"
~
Clarice's unwonted temper took sudden
turn in the direction of tears. She burst
into storm of them, and they were relief
from the days complex emotions.
"Auntie, l don't mean to be disrespectful,
but say what really do think"
"But, Clarice / have no desire except for
your good. want to see you established. j
know more of the world than you. A pen.
niless man may oe very agreeable to look at
or to talk with, but what sort of home do
you suppose he could furnish his wifel"
"How do you know Paul is penniless! He
earns good salary and has all the world
before him."
And Clarice fell to sobbing anew.
Dear me-" said Mrs. Winterfed," had
no idea you felt this way. / supposed it
was the most frivolous Irritation. You can't
have known him more than three weeks"
"Why, auntic. I've known him ever since
i was u tiny girl. He was my first boy lover
before mamma died."
"Claricen'
81 told you so when first met him, but
you didn't seem to hear. / hadn't seen him
for years. of course, until he came to the
springs"
"But Rosamond said that story was made
up to secure greater freedom"
1T was motif was true. Paul used tc
draw me on his hand-sled, and fight about
me, too"
mo doubt" smiled Mrs. Winterfeld ''an6
he seems inclined to fight again."
An idea was slowly dawning within Mrs
Winteriield's mind which caused her man.
ner to grow rather sunny. Why oppose
these two young peoplel Why not, aftei
all, rather guide Mr.. Cumberland with gen
tie discretion in the direction of Hiss Rosa
mond! There might be two weddings in
stead of one.
"Very WELL" she said at length, II will
send for Mr.. Drexel and see what he has tc
say for himself. He ought to be ashamed
to take such a course as he has.'
"He was compelled to do it. You would
not recognize him nor listen to me-"
"Tut, tut, Clarice, you have said enough
Go now and stop crying, or your eyes viii
be red at dinner"
Paul Drexel came promptly at Mrs. Win
terfield's summons. He did not act in the
least ashamed.
II had to deal with prejudice" he said re-
spectfully. land chose to deal boldly.n
During the interview Mrs. Winterfield
alternated between resentment and amuse'
ment She felt at u serious disadvantage be.
fore this handsome young giant, who would
say such audacious things in a courtly way,
and who did not humble his head even be-
fore her imposing self
The result was compromise. He was to
feel himself welcome to visit Clarice until q
better acquaintance was established, but
meanwhile the question of an engagement
must lie in abeyance.
Clarice was radiant. No one who knew
him could resist Paul.
Mr.. Cumberland was made acquainted
with the arrangement. He blus he'd win
try red and trembled little but acquiesced
Rosamond tried to make amends by grow.
ing languishiug and tender. She was glad
to chaperonc Clarice and her lover when her
mother was unable to GO provided MIR. Cum
berland made one of the party, which he
usually did. They were all upon the most
amiable terms now.
An engagement was finally sanctioned
and then Paul began urging speedy mar.
riage.
His persuasions were successful an day
soon after Easter was fixed upon. Mr..
Cumberland was active in every thing per-
tanning to the wedding, and playfully ex-
cused his ofiiciousness by calling Clarice his
''ward."
The day before the wedding he asked her
to drive with him. During the drive they
stopped at n pretty house and he suggested
that they enter it. Clarice hestated but he
assured her it was his particular wish. |
They found il complete in all its appoint
ments, faultless in taste, and Clarlce ad- |
mired II generously.
She saw through the ruse and felt en-
boldened to say since he had taken her into |
his confidence. II am sure fastidious as |
Ros amond is, she will be delighted nth |
every thing.
Agrim quiver disturbed the smile ON his |
face, but he did not reply.
When they had sufficiently looked IL over
they went out, he locking the door behind |
them. They halted q moment on the steps.
he took her hands in his, laid the |
key In it and closed the fingers over 1t with |
a fcrvent pressure.
1t was her house. 1t was wedding pres.
ent. |
After the ceremony Mr.. Cumberland told |
the bride as he quietly bade her farewell, |
that he felt the severity of the Chicago |
winter had taxed his strength considerably,
and he should go abroad for year. Rosa |
mond is waiting now for his return.
q. ID. CARDINAL.
1t is annoying to farmer who
keeps his farm free of weeds to have
his neighbors' fields covered with the
pests. The seeds of many weeds are
carried quite distance by the winds,
and any negligence on the part of one