The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-03-08

Even Charlie had left, to pass tho winter
in the city: and the village became agar
monotonously dull. Maple-leaves grew
red and drifted to the ground, the snow
came and faded again from the hills
and the clovcr-blossoms followed; but
nothing occurred to vary the joyless
drcarincss of Laura's life. In a hotel
corridor however, of distant city, Mel
vile now by chance encountered Char
lie, who was beaming with happiness
and holding out his hand frankly as he
advanced.
81 once had grudge against you, old
fellow" said he, twas awfully jealous
but it's all over now that I'm married.
Come up and see my wife. Yes, you
really must!" and taking him by the
arm and refusing "No" for an answer,
he led him to the parlor.
1t was with the utmost reluctance that
Melville consented to go. He was Sc.
cretly afraid to meet her, fearing that
his emotions would overmaster him;
and yet he was longing to see her: be-
sides which, Charlie was so persistent he
could scarcely help going, whether he
wished to or not.
81 thought you said she Gas here?"
said Melville, glancing around the room.
''Here she is" was the reply, as a
winsome, pretty girl came forward to
meet them. Jennie, this is my friend
Mr.. Melville. 1t was case of mutual,
first-sight love-" he added, laughingly.
Wasn't it, my dear?"
"Why / thought you married-that is,
that you were to marry-Nliss Mayne?"
said Melville, in amazement.
"Oh! | was" replied Charlie, "but
she said | was only a boy and broke
it off. But we're the best of friends.
See that pretty pin that Jennie wears?
That's from Laura"
81 suppose she is still in Falltown?"
said Melville, with sorry attempt at
nonchalance; and hearing that she was,
he excused himself rather unceremoni-
ously, Jennie thought, and started at
once, travelling night and day on his
way back to the village.
Though it was somewhat late when
he reached his journeys end, he went
at once to the Mayre dwelling. AS he
rang the bell he heard light step ad-
vancing in the porch, and never-for-
gotten voice spoke through the dark
ness. "Father is not at home, sir,-is
somewhere about the village, though,
think"
SIS this Miss Mayne?" he inquired,
though he knew full well whose voice
it was.
SIT is," she replied, startled at some-
thing strangely familiar in his tone, yet
unable to see him clearly as he stood in
the shadow of clambering vine.
He walked forward. "And do you
not know me? Have you forgotten2 or
is it that you wish to forget?"
"No, have not forgotten" she said,
to speak composedly, though
her heart beat so loudly she thought he
must surely hear it.
II thought you were married." he
went on, were married to Charlie,-
thought so until twenty-four hours ago;
and have come a thousand miles since
them
He still held her hand, and his tone
and actions told her plainly on what
errand he had come. Thus, with her
heart at ease, she could afford, woman
ike, to be tantalizing. 81 am really
glad to see you," she replied. l feared,
rom your sudden disappearance with
'ut saying goodbye, that our friend
hip was not after all, so eminently
as you had planned"
"No; confess that / failed" he an
wered, ''my friendship grew into love
ong before L dared to acknowledge it,
wen to myself; and now, in wild, sud-
len hope, have come to see what has
,ecome of yours. May l not hope that
t is something more than friendship,
Iaura?"
sob! 'it is easy enough to be lover
you know you once said" she replied,
With smile. Whereupon, jumping to
/ conclusion, he kissed her, and told her
| number of sweet things which an out
iider might have considered the most
absurd kind of fiattery-how constantly
ne had thought of her, and what thrill
ne had felt at the first sound of her
footsteps on the porch, etc.
"If you knew me, then why did you
inquire if it were Miss Mayne?" she
asked, fancying she had found an incon-
'istency.
because, my DEAR" he said, sit has
oeen so long since l saw you. that was
,erribly afraid you might be a Mrs
M. NJ. Cass, Jr., in Demor-
,sts Monthly.