The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-05-21
WELL WON.
A Romantic Account of How DIR. Liv-
ingstone Won His Wife.

ingstone Won His Wife.
DR.. Livingstone and Harry Everton
were both rivals for Mrs. Linden's
hand, and to an outsider their chances
of winning seemed about equal. Her
little daughter Edith settled the diff
ficult choice in this unique way.
Mamma. she said one day; 'what
is nusansp"
"a nuisance, darling?"
Yes. Mr.. Everton said I was lit
tie nusans yesterday. What does it
mean?n
1T means thatyou are troublesome
little girl, I'm afraid,n laughed Mrs.
Linden, turning her eyes away con-
siderately from Everton's crimsoned
face.
Il ant one bit troublesomeln ex-
claimed Edith, Indignantly. BE l,
doctor?"
Not to me-" said DR.. Livingtone,
gathering her up closely to his breast.
Now, no mother however sensible,
likes to have her child called a nui-
sance, and Mrs. Linden treated Everton
little coolly for some days after this
unlucky speech. But there was some
thing so seductive in the charm of his
words and manner that the old spell
returned, and there were times that she
almost believed she loved him. But
Mrs. Linden instinctively loved the
good and the true, and there was some
thing in DR.. Livingstone's simple hon
esty and sterling goodness, if he had
the courage to urge his suit. that would
have turned the scales in his favor. AS
it was they hung very evenly, Mrs.
Linden being puzzled to decide which
of them she liked the best.
1t was while in this doubtful unset
tied state of mind that both suitors
broached the subject that was so near
! to their hearts, Everton with bold
| ness and confidence that have won
many Il woman from less assured but
! more worthy men; Livingstone with a
! trembling eagerness which showed how
! highly he estimated, how much he
feared to lose the prize for which he
was striving. To both she had only one
| answer-that she would decide and let
them know before her departure, which
was near at hand.
Mamma, do you love DR.. Living
stone?n
Now as this was Il question that she
was Just asking her own heart Mrs.
Linden was not little startled ut her
words.
''What makes you ask that, Edith?''
''Well, but do you?' persisted the
child. HE asked me last night if
wouldn't teach you to love him. |
Was that right?''
You shouldn't say such things to
DR.. Livingstone said Mrs. Linden,
| II
"Why?n
This being question not very easy
to answer it remained unanswered.
But do you love DR.. Livingstone
mamma?'% repeated Edith, renewing
the attack with fresh zeal and energy
Il Think do, " responded Mrs. Lin,
den, slowly, replying to the ques
ton in her own heart than to that up
on the sweet lips lifted SO eagerly tC
hers.
At this opportune moment the doc
tor entered.
Breaking away from her mother
Edith ran to meet him.
Mamma does love you! She jus
told me SOP
Holding Edith's hand in his, Dr.
Livingstone stood before her mother
his face flushed with hope and Joy.
'Kate!-Mrs. Linden! - does thi
dear child speak truly?"
The new and sweet revelation thai
had come to the questioning heart wa
very clearly mirrored in the eyes tha
were lifted to his, making the word
that followed scarcely needed,
''She speaks truly!'
With a sudden movement DR.. Liv
ingstone clasped both mother ant
child to the breast that was to be thei
protection and shelter through all th
years that followed.
Edith announced this unwetc0m
fact to Mr.. Everton the next mornin.
and in a manner so unique and origl
nal that we can not forbear transcrib
ing it.
+ You can't be my papa! DR.. Liv
ingstone's going to be my papam sh
shouted at him across the breakfast tn
BILE, to the no small amusement O
those present, among whom Mrs. Lin
den fortunately was not one, not be
ing yet down.
Mr.. Everton left the following day
taking with him very clear realiza
ton of how small was the hand tina
had toppled down the castle he ha
taken so much pains TO rear.-N.
Morning Journal.