The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-09-17

bitter pain would follow him into his
changed fortunes.
He turned to look at her. What a
fair young creature she was, standing
so still and motionless, with one arm
thrown lightly around a stanchion, the
loose sleeve falling from it, the moon
light and starshine cleaning on her
lovely face!
miss Stone, you look as though you
were bidding this place good-by,'' he
said, softly.
Il go tomorrow" she answered. as
low.
And l within fortnight Do YOU
understands Has Lena told you of my
uncle's will?"
II have heard. But-was there not
way pointed out by which you could
remain as master-as ownerPn
A bitter smile curled his lip.
Her face was turned aside. but up
over her cheek and brow stole the hot
waves of color.
NO" he said, impulsively. Il was
commanded to seek out a girl, stran-
ger, and try to win her for wife. My
uncle's money, my uncle's lands, could
not buy me to do that, Miss Stone-I
give the lady all, neither asking nor
desiring her to accept myself with the
fortune. / have had dreams of love
of a fair face alight with welcome for
me, here in the only home 1 have ever
known. They are no longer mine. 1
have had my visions; they are past.
As man taught only luxurious living,
untitled by whole life of idleness
for useful labor, with only my empty,
always careless hands to depend on
for place among men, what right
have to love some fair young crea-
ture whose path must ever be afar from
mine?"
The right of any man to happiness
the best right in the world!" she
cried, impetuously.
And the gray eyes lifted for an in
stant to his were jeweled with warm
tears.
He bent over her with sudden, yearn-
ing tenderness. and took the little hand
that hung beside the stanchion.
"Were not to 90 forth from here
like Adam from his Eden?" he breath
ed,
"Eve was with him." she answered
softly; but the hand he was holding
trembled.
Something in the shy sweetness of
her face, bent now from the moons
full splender, thrilled him to the
heart
Well, it was their hour of parting,
and she should know.
Were Heath my own might dare
other pleadings tonight" he said. LAS
it is, when you think of me in the fu-
turc let it be kindly, gently; for the
whole wealth of my heart, the whole
love of my soul, goes with you. Oh,
sunny, tender love! what will my life
be without you?"
He freed her hand, and lifted his.
Strong though he was, his fingers
shook as they went up to shade his
face-to hide its pallid misery from
her.
his down, and q flushed, laughing,
happy face met his sight in the moon
light.
II do not know what your life would
be without me-" she said, with fut-
ter in her voice, ''but hope you will
not leave me, Arthur, for mine with
out you would be Oh! let me tell
you who am!-not Kitty Stone, Ar
tbBHr whbpatd but Kff3t leeE, the girl you hat
ed! Don't look so dazed! Your sister
planned it all, and I consented. Not
to win your love under false name,
Arthur, but to see you-know you
learn whether or not would be wise
in declining to accept what | felt
your uncle should have given you. l
did not want it-believe me, 1 did not"
She paused, breathless.
Kathleen Alistone! You Kathleen
Alistone?" he cried, incredulously.
''Oh, Arthur, forgive me the decep-
ton! / never meant that you should
know. 1 meant to study you. un-
known to you, and if I found you to be
worthy man to decline to receive
what was yours by right. But-but
you love me still, Arthur"
Love you, my precious onew
And his arms were about her, his
lips seeking hers.
Lena, who had been strolling along
one of the walks with her husband,
reached the veranda steps at that mo-
ment and caught the passionate words
saw, in the full glow of moonlight
and starlight, that tableau above her.
And she drew her husband back, and
away from the lovers.
Il am very clever woman, 'Clar-
ence," said she, when they were be-
yond hearing. Nobody else would
have thought of way out of the diff
Guilty And you saw Kathleen and Ar
thur, didn't youP"
'.All the world might see, and they
be none the WISER" laughed Clarence
Dresden. Yes, it was clever of you,
and Pm very glad things are turning
out as you foresaw, Dear. how your
eyes are shining! Kiss me, little wo-
manr