The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-02-22
MAMMA 10.
Julian Vanes Triumph Over Him
self and the w oman He Loved.
"You will not marry me. Joe?n

anu luAuIJ.
Satin-lined curtains, velvet carpets,
beautiful pictures, and glowing CRATE
fire, which winked drowsily at them
through the twilight.
10, with bitter experience of poverty
and the daily struggle for bread, had
thoroughly enjoyed this magnificent
home.
She was nursery governess to Julian
Vane's little boy. Her life had been
poor and hard. She had earned by her
needle barely enough to support her.
self and her t,.valid mother.
After her mothers death this opportu-
nifty offered itself to her through the
columns of daily paper, and she ac-
cepted it gratefully.
Vane Hall was big mansion three
miles from the city. 1t overlooked the
sea, and was a delightful summer resi-
dence; but when the trees were bare,
the ground covered with snow, and the
sea cold and wild, it might have been
dreary to some, but to Josephine Hol-
land, coast-born, it was never-ending
delight
The master was a dark, handsome
man, not over thirty, who spent his
time in riotous living. The old house,
keeper told 10 this when she first came.
But 10 pitied the child, who was fine
little fellow, and she was not daunted.
She had dainty bed room and sitting
room, the free use of a magnificent
piano, and large library.
When Julian Vane entertained his
boon companions, as he often did, Jo
shut herself up with her charge and
waited for the revel tc end.
She was brave AID resolute girl.
dusky-haired and dark-eyed. She had
improved in looks since couing to Vane
Hall; her checks were rounder and she
had better color.
Little Ralph took to calling her
"Mamma Jo.' 1t was impossible to
overlook the fact that he was much
more tractable since her advent.
Mr.. Vane began to discover that his
boys governess was an agreeable young
lady.
One day he entered the library, where
Jo was reading. The boy had been
playing soldier in his long ulster, with
a blanket strapped to his sturdy little
shoulders and toy gun over his arm.
Worn out at last he had fallen asleep on
the hearth-rug, with his long brown
curls sweeping across his face.
His father gazed at him thoughtfully
as 10 explained.
"Poor little soldier! he deserves a
better daddy!" he said, with short
laugh and careless shrug Of the shoul-
ders.
"Yes, think so," returned 10, facing
him, calmly.
Vane looked at her with mocking
smile.
Don't preach, Miss 10; that's not
your province"
"Since your brave little son can not
make a good man of you, it would be
folly for a mere stranger to attempt
it," she said, as she passed him on her
way to the door.
That was their first little passage-at-
arms; after that they had many.
Julian Vane's half-mocking manner
provoked her into plain speech, which
seemed both to interest and amuse him.
He vent on much the same as ever
sometimes rather worse, as If trying to
shock or frighten 10.
But there were intervals of quiet
when 10 was amazed at the mans cul-
ture and talents, when she was fascin-
ated by his strong magnetism, and filled
with remorse for his wasted opportuni-
ties.
So a whole year passed.
Vane Hall had grown dear to Jo, and
A.. IL, II La1f
tender manner, filled her heart with
wrath and sorrow. Now the time had
come for her to 60.
This night he had asked her to be his
wife, and she had refused him!
You will not marry me, Jo?" he re-
peated, smiling at her incredulously.
"Why, yes, you will, child. How could
we exist away from each other?"
She looked at him in silence, her eyes
wide and dark with sorrow.
He was bending toward her, flushed
and smiling, sure of success, the dark
locks falling over his forehead.
"Speakv' he said, dropping his hands
upon her shoulderand giving her little
shake. Don't stare at me like little
image. Dare you say that you do not
love me?"
81 despise your faults and weaknesses"
she said, slowly.
He flushed, but answered steadily
enough.
Nonsense! l am much like other
men, trifle worse than some, perhaps,
but not half bad fellow. Come, Jo,
when will you marry me?"
"Never," she said in low voice.
81 say you SHALL" and he crushed her
suddenly in his arms and kissed her
hair, eyes and lips 81 love you'll love
you'll Why, 10, we were made for each
other. ] admire your brave little soul,
which never fears me! Why, l never
loved any woman as 1 love you. l was
betrothed to my wife in childhood. IL
was family arrangement. We had a
quiet liking for one another, nothing
more"
"Do you mean to say" said 10, push
ing him away breathlessly "that you
never told any other woman that you
loved her?"
Vano burst into an nirrepressible laugh.
"What little goose you are, 10! Men
make love to women because they like
it,"
as that why you have made love to
moe" demanded 10, grimly
"Good heavens! Jo, you know better.
] ask you to be my wife-to reign queen
of my heart and homel Ny darling-my
little, darling, will you come? win you
he n mother To nv little boy. who loves