The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-12-03
MAYNARD'S ROMANCE.

passengers OF the ocean steamer
Alaska gathered on the decks to watch
the sun set, and slowly sink beneath
the bosom of the broad Atlantic.
Gradually the company separated,
some fingered in groups, while the
greater number selected partners for a
maiden cast an admiring glance as she
passed towards young man who sat
apart and whose thoughts seemed
apart-yes, far away off from the sur
rounding scene.
He was handsome man, and his at
titude of unconscious grace displayed
to the best advantage his manly beauty.
By his side was noble Newfoundland
dog. Fido-that was his name-made
several attempts to draw his master's s
attention to the company. but without
effect. Still gazing out on the wide
eXpanse, he sat, the wind blowing the
dark, waving hair from off the broad,
high brow. There was a. depth of
earnestness in his dark blue eyes, a
sweet, sad expression about his mouth,
which made one think he had suffered
"a lost hope, perhaps; and so it was.
Hugh Maynard had loved-as men
sometimes do-with love that can
never be cast forth, but which sinks
deeper, ennobling and refining the
heart in which it lives. Five years be-
fore he had seen Edith Foster at the
opera. Many times fate threw them
together at public places until there
grew sort of smiling acquaintance be-
tween them. And Hugh grew to love,
with all the ardor of his loving nature,
the beautiful girl to whom he had
never been introduced.
Believing his acquaintance would be
agreeable to the lovely Edith, he
sought friend of hers and requested
to be presented. Then it was he heard
that which crushed his hopes and left
the mark of sorrow on his features.
The very day on which he sought
her acquaintance she became the wife
of a man old enough TO be her father
-ay, older than that, for she was
20 and he was 60!
But what mattered that? Was it not
the most brilliant wedding of the sea-
son? Did not her anxious parents
think they were doing the best to
secure their daughters happiness when
they urged her to accept the man who
could clothe her in robes rich and rare
and deck her with costly jewels? And
thus it was that Hugh Maynard lost the
object of his love.
Gazing out on the blue water, and
thinking of her, Hugh Maynard re-
manned until Fido grew impatient,
and raising his paw, tapped him
several times upon the arm, until at
last Hugh turned towards him and
said: .'What is it, old fellow?"
Fido's eyes answered plainly, Il love
you; am sorry for you" And he laid
his head against his masters breast
and gazed earnestly up into his eyes.
Hugh knew just what Fido was tell
ing him, and patting the noble creature
on the head, he said, .'Yes, you love
me, good, faithful Fido! Come; will
walk round with YOU"
And turning, he was about to join
the promenaders, when he was inter
rupted. A beautiful boy of about five
years came running up. and throwing
his little arms around Fido, exclaimed:
ooh YOU nice, beautiful dog! Come
and play with Willier'
An instant mora before Hugh could
speak to the child, a little scream, a
frightened exclamation, and lady
darted across the deck. caught up the
child, and drew him away, eXclaiming
''Oh, that terrible dog! He might
have torn you up! Pray, keep him
away. sir!''
Then turning to another person who
hastily came up she said: Nurse,
you must be more careful. Do not let
Willie come near that frightful dog
again"
Hugh was about to assure the lady
of Fido's harmlessness and noble
nature, when, as his eyes met hers, he
became speechless; for there, before
him, stood the woman he had loved sc
long and faithfully.
If, during those years gone by, she
had ever thought of him or remember
ed at all the silent admirer of her girl
hood, she failed to recognize him then
She was much excited. and, moving
off, thought probably that the gentle
man was offended by her possibly un
called-for expressions relative to hi!
favorite.
Daily she was before him-'so neal
and yet so far'-so very far, for then
when constantly he beheld her leaning
Ou Gl0 tIIl1 VI Ill IN
would fully recognize the gulf between
them. Often he would hear the little
Willie calling Papa" And then hi
wondered if that woman, so young ant
beautiful, could be content. Happy
he thought she could not be with ont
so very grave and dignitied. What :;
merry, laughing girl she used to be
And then SO nged-such sweet
subdued air of matronly dignity sh'
had.
But sometimes Hugh thought, O
fancied, she gazed at him with an in
quiring expression in her beautiful
eyes. And again he was wild enougl
to imagine there came at times the old
merry, laughing light, and he though
she remembered those "bygone hours.
He sought no introduction. He felt i
would be madness to be near, to speaI
to her, and have her sweet voice linger
ing on his ear.
Fido grew very fond of little Willie
but neither his mother or nurse woul'
allow him to approach when they wer
near.
But nevertheless the friends manage
to steal occasionally chance t
caress, when the watching ones wer
absent. Frequently, however, Fid
heard himself called ugly names
"horrid dog" terrible creature" an
such like. Seven days passed thu;
when an event traAspired that caused
very marked change in Fido's behalf
1t was the dinner hour. Littl
Willie was on deck with his nurse; an
she, seizing the opportunity atforde
by the absence of the parents an
others, of whom she was rather shy
was having nice talk with one of th
hands, and he was telling her ho'