The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-01-22
WHOLE No. 1117.


feet, they wandered away up the moon
lit beach, where other couples were
also strolling, and intent upon the
same old story.
Mr.. Tracey, shy and inexperienced
in the lovers role, had carefully
thought over and fixed in his mind all
that he had to say. He had got as far
as mo mans life is satisfied without
the blessing of some pure woman's
love, when he was interrupted by the
unexpected presence of Master Bessa-
my, who came flying after them along
the beach.
"Why, Rudolph! Where is mamma?
Why have you left her?" his sister in
quired.
'Oh, 1 guess she's lookin' for me!
she wanted me to &c, to bed, JUS like
baby, and I wouldn't. I'm going to
stay with you all.
''But, Dolphy. darling" said Juliette
sweetly and persuasively, you should
not have run away from mamma. She
will be very uneasy, and perhaps think
you are drowned"
Il don't care!"
But they will have the trouble of
getting the boats out to look for you, u
said Mr.. Tracey, gravely.
''Oh, my! what fun!''
''Won't you go back, my precious,
like a dear, good little boy, and let
mamma know that you are safe?''
'tNo, I won't. I'll stay here.''
Mr.. Tracey, though by no means
cruelty disposed man, could have
seized the little wretch, and flung him
into the sea. As it was, there was no
help for it. He must wait for another
opportunity for concluding his love
story. And he wondered at Julictte's
patience and sweetness, and felt more
than ever anxious to secure for lie
companion one whose amiable DISPOSE
ton seemed a pledge of future happi-
ness.
After bidding his fair companion
goodnight, he sat1ntered about little
until the obliging linen mistress could
show him to his closet-which she did
with many warnings to keep quiet and
not let his presence in this part of the
house become known.
The place was more convenient than
he had expected, but he had scarcely
disposed himself for nights rest
when he became conscious of voices on
the other side of the door against which
his cot was placed.
He tried not to hear, but the speak
ers were close to the door, and the
mention of his own name attracted his
attention.
lit was too provoking for anything!
Mr.. Tracey was on the very point OF
proposing words were actually al
most upon his lips-when that aggra-
waiting boy rushed in and spoiled it all.
Really, mamma, l could have boxed
his ears soundly."
Mr.. Tracey started. Could that be
his Juliette's voice, speaking in those
high and angry tonesa
q will send him away tomorrow
with his Aunt Louise said Mrs. Bes-
samy, in tones of vexation. sIt is too
bad that, after all the trouble we have
had in bringing that man to the point,
this unfortunate contretemps should
have occurred
81 won't go homer said Rudolph,
defiantly. ''You daren't send me, any
how!'
why not you bad boyP" said his
sister.
"Cause I'll tell on you. I'll tell old
Tracey that you dye your hair, and put
that red stuff on your cheeks and lips.
You guy me a dollar once not to tell
anybody, but I will. now. And I'll
hide your front teeth, like I did that
time you was going to the ball, and
Hush, sir-hush this instant!'' said
his mother, apparently with an admon-
itory shake, for the amiable youth
set up howl, which was presently
hushed by the promise of a popgun
and a velocipede.
When peace was restored the voice
of Juliette again became audible.
Mamma, l made a discovery this
evening. Alice Lee. is in love with Mr..
Tracey, and he is actually too stupid
to perceive it!''
fortunately for you, Juliette. I
have feared all along that he might
fancy that girl, and if you don't hurry
up matters she may vet steal march
on you. By the by, that Tracey house
will have to be remodeled and refur-
nished, suppose. 1t is all very hand
somely fitted up, but not in the latest
style"
'tIndeed, mamma, I've no idea OF
L
sist, after we are married, upon mov-
ing into the new west end. 1 know it's
expensive, but he can afford it, I'm
sure. And l must have more stylish
carriage than that with which the Ira
cey girls were satisfied. Oh, trust me
to have all I want and to enjoy myself
now that am going to marry rich
man! I owe it to myself for giving up
poor Fred. If only Fred had Mr.. Ira
cey's money"
s.Hush, Juliette! Positively you must
not talk in this way. Suppose Mr..
Tracey could hear you? What would
he think?"
He would be rather surprised,
suppose she answered, laughing. ''Buf
don't be alarmed, mamma. l am not
silly enough ever to let him suspect
that married him for his money"
"But how late it is! and must real
ly try to get a good sleep, for yor
knowI must look as charming as posi-
| BILE tomorrow
Mr. Tracey indeed was surprised. 81
surprised that long after all was still
he lay in half-dazed condition, which
| gradually gave place to an emotion O
/ intense thankfulness at having escaped
the snare laid for him. He could have
taken Rudolph to his breast and hugget
him in real affection.
But his pure and beautiful ideal O.
womanhood-wa that destroyed for
ever? Juliette-the Juliette of hi
fancy had proved a myth; but-ther
was Alice. He knew Alice to be gooC
and true And could it really be, a
Juliette had said that Alice loved him
Long before sunrise Mr.. Tracey was
up and miles away on the beach nerv
ing himself to meet this new condition
of things,
The Highbeach gossips who ha
taken an interest in ais affairs were Sun
prised to observe that on this evenin
not Miss Bessamy, but Miss Lee, wa
the companion of his moonlight stroll
Some set him down as a flirt, Will
others asserted ION the best authority
that he had been discarded.
But what else could the Bessamy
do, after being informed by Maste
lph-who had peeped throug
the keyhole of the linen-closet-tha
Mr.. Tracey had passed the night in tha
apartment?
Mr.. Tracey is very friendly towar
1