Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-10-09
CHAPTER xxvL

upon his old friend Sidney Leland, and
demanded for Eugene his daughters
hand, at the same time assuring the
banker that he charged himself with the
future Of the young couple.
In secret, Floral Leland had long adj
mired, and of late had learned to love,
Eugene Cleveland. Her happiness, then,
when she heard her fathers announce
ment after dinner that day, may be i'm
agined, but can hardly be described.
Indeed, it would be painful to dwell on
the joy she felt, and her only regret was
that Eugene had not come to her in per-
son to press his suit.
But Eugene had not the heart to do so.
He remained at his counting-roo all
the morning, and only called at the Le-
lands when he had learned that his over
ture was accepted.
Once having resolved on this monstrous
actions, the worst part OF which he did
not himself know, he was determined to
carry it through in the most correct man
ner, and by this time he was master of all
those arts.
After he had withdrawn, Flora few to
her mother, who, believing in Cleveland,
shared her happiness, and they sat to-
gether long time, hand clasped in hand,
lQOkluR Oub upOA bu0 kbAuOIy pOOh
by the soft light of the stars, the daughter
blessing her mother, her friends, every
body, and the mother thanking God; both
mingling their hearts, their dreams, their
kisses, and their tears-happier, poor
women, than is permitted long to human
beings under the heavens.
The marriage took place the ensuing
month. Senator Elliston was present, and
when he returned to Washington this
| time he was accompanied by his wife.
| At the earnest request of his brides
parents, Eugene took up his residence
with them, and Warren Leland still had
q suite Of apartments in the same stately
and commodious manion.
His political campaign had now opened,
and he was very busy, visiting Roxbury
or some other town in the Congressional
district every day; but in order to be
near Mrs. Denton, and particularly Mil
| dred Lester, in whom-must we confess ltH
he was beginning to feel a rapidly grow
ing interest, he spent most Of his nights
in New York.
Finding presently that he could not at
tend to all his correspondence alone, he
began to look about him for private Sec
retary, and soon one presented himself
and was promptly engaged.
| 1t was-Oscar Slyme!
The extraordinary session of Congress
that commanded the presence of Senator
Elliston in Washington was still drag
ging its weary length along.
Cora endured it for some time, and
then, informing her husband that it was
necessary for her to visit New York,
promptly returned to that city.
A few days later Oscar Slyme threw up
| L. 4o1 -
The next day after his arrival he was
installed as Warren Lelands private Sec
retary.
He lived in the same house with them.
He came early in the morning, aftel
breakfast, passed the day in Warren'f
private room, and. often dined with them
If he had work to finish in the evening.
Instinctively, Flora disliked him from
the first.
-His name is bad one to begin with,
she said.
"Yes." rejoined her mother; 4but the
man himself is good enough creature
except that I somewhat dislike his cat
like style Of looking at one"
Il don't like him." reiterated Flora
aHe has such peculiar pride, or perhaps
should say insufferable vanity. but hii
great fault, in. my eyes, is the scoffins
tone he adopts when the subject is relig
ion or morals"
Eugene entered the room in time tc
. catch his wife's last remark. He sale
nothing at the time; but that day, Will,
! they we're dining, Slyme allowed himsel
to indulge in rather violent TRADE o
this description. 1t was doubtless con
) trary to all good taste.
My dear Slyme, said Eugene, quietl
and yet IRONICALLY, "to me, and perhap
Mr.. Leland, these pleasantries of your
are Indifferent; but pray remember that
while you are strong-minded man, m
wife is q weak-minded woman; an
i strength, you know, should respect weak
/, ness.
Oscar Slyme first grew white, then rec
and finally green. He arose, bowe
awkardly, and Immediately afterward lei
the table.
t The moment he was gone, Flora sal
to her brother.
!. sYou may think me indiscreet, BIT
Z, pray let me ask you question. How ca
you confde all your affairs and all yor
Q secrets to q man who processes to have 4
principles?"
v Warren laughed.
> 4Oh, he talks thus out of bravado,"
answered. He thinks to make himse
3 more interesting in your eyes by thei
q Mephistophelean airs. At bottom he is
n good fellow.
But, objected Flora, he has faith
! nothing"
-Not in much, I believe. Yet he wou
a not deceive me. He is an honorab
+ man"
! Flora opened her eyes wide at this.
" well, "said her brother, with an anus,
W look. what is the matter. Flo?"
What is this honor you speak Of"
E. Let me ask you, sis, he replied.
sGreat heayensl" she cried, blushi1
l. deeply, Il know but little of it, but
,e seems to me that honor separated fro
le morality is no great thing; and morali
without religion is nothing. They /
q constitute chain. Honor hangs to t
d last link, like q flower; but if the cha
be broken, honor falls with the rest"
!, Her husband, who heretofore had /
- y, NAMED silent, looked at her with stran
y eyes, as though he were not only CO
e founded but disauieted by her philos
= ply. Then he gave deep sigh, and n
4 ing, said:
very neat, that defnition--very neat
to 4Yes, by Jove!" exclaimed her broth'
! Il didn't know Flo had so much in hel
AZ That night, at the opera, Eugene W
n very attentive to his wife. Cora accol
d panied them; and at parting, Flora begg
her to call for her next day in passing
te Broadway and Twenty third street, on
at shopping expedition, for this magni
~ co~+ xx,,, =, a ), woc har idn1 and she 1ov