Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-12-24

Nom.
Then why can't | see itY with a
sudden push in that direction
She might as well have attempted to
charge battery Of artillery. Old Dorcas |
stood mmovable
"J4ndy amt well. mum said she !
Cant nobody go in dat rooml Tols you |
o aforeF'
Anything contagiousY
Nom"
sSure2"
EYes'm. sartin shuahP
very we'll. said the house hunter
with forward lerk Of her chin; Il shall
take no house that can't see every inch
Off and she hounced out.
All day long Dorcas fought the army
of investigators valiantly, and at night
as she herself observed, "she was Jes' as
tired as if she'd done a double day S
wash" Stout ladies peered into the sub
cellar and denounced the drainage; lean
ladies poked their parasols into the
kitchen sink and tore off strips of the
hall paper Deep voiced men parleyed
as to the monthly rental; fat old gentle
men asked questions in husky accents.
Il shall go crazy" said Dorcas.
The next morning, however, dove
winged Peace once more settled down on
the field of action. The agent came up
and removed the bill
"The house is taken" said he
who's took itY' demanded Dorcas,
who chanced just then to be securing
the brasses. But the agent either did
not know or would not tell Dorcas
heayed a deep sigh. "Den," says she,
"we've got to cPar out.
The landlord sent Selma polite note
in day or two. He had concluded, he
wrote, to accept her offer of the furni-
ture and belongings as an equivalent for
certain portion of the unpaid rent.
Now" said Dorcas, "what is we to
dor
Poor Mrs. Spencer was all in fiutter
The Newport scheme delighted her, and
she was very busy looking over her
wardrobe with reference to the coming
visit Selma had written to the aunt of
an old schoolmate of hers, who kept a
boarding house in the fair seaside city
asking her lowest price for comfort
able room Dorcas was to go with Mrs.
Spencer as attendant and maid, and
Selma had resolved to hire room in
New York and board herself as well as
she could.
'But this has been dear old home, .
she murmured. Il wonder who will
sleep in my room; wonder whose hands
will strike the yellow keys of mammals
old piano and dust my flowing blue
china and arrange the old fiddle backed
chairs"
The purple sunlight shone softly in
the scent of stalk Of hyacinths in 8
glass on the mantel brought back remi
niscences of the old southern flower gar
dens, and all of sudden voice which
she had last heard in those very gardens
struck on her ear.
"Selina-have startled your"
"Mr BerkeleyT
He extended cordial hand
perhaps you fancied that could mo-
trace you out% said he. But am bet
ter at hide and seek than you thought.
She courtesied haughtily. His hand
some countenanes fell, Evidently hi
was deeply disappointed.
Are you not glad to see me, SelinaT
he exclaimed 'Ah, Selinal Ihad count
ed so much on this interview! | hat
planned to renew my suit-to ask yol
once more to be my wife"
She drew her slight figure up
you are presuming too much on m,
very evident poverty, Mr. Berkeley.
said she. Il refused you when wa
Miss Spencer, of Spencer Vale. Wha
sort of woman should be if | wer,
now to accept you-simply as protec
tion against adversityY'
But, Selma
pray excuse me from any further dis
cussion of the question" said Selma
MAY not hope to see your mother?
he persisted.
Il should prefer not"
'Do you know, Selma" he said, afte
brief silence, ''that this is very bit
ter modification to mel?
"Is it? Then what must it be to me?
she retorted, almost fiercely. looking u
at him
He stood a second or two gazing sadl,
at her. Stung by the scrutiny, sh
swept from the room like an angere,
princess.
half a minute later she came hurryin
back, full of sweet, strange misgivings
But he was gone
II have let another opportunity sli
byp she murmured. "Oh, heavens
where is my life drifting tor"
At that moment Aunt Dorcas ushere,
in the landlord, fussy, bald headed oil
! gentleman with fur collar to his coat
j "Good evening, Miss Spencer" sail
he 81 expected to meet the new part
, here"
, "The-l beg your pardon. said Sci
ina.
"The gentleman who has purchased
this house and furniture, explained Mr
Beasley, land settled it on yourself ant
your mother. A friend of yours, sup
, pose--Mr. Berkeley"
Standing sadly in the shadow of tn
! rustling poplar boughs outside Georg
Berkeley felt the magnetic influence o
, another presence. A soft voice stirret
the twilight air, like the far off music o
forgotten days.
"Mr. Berkeley" it said-"Georgel-
please will you forgive me?'
A dead silence ensued.
; Wont you, Georgep' with little sol
, in the voice IL didn't mean to speal
, so harshly to you. didn't know thel
what know now of your noble gener
osity."
Silence-only silence still
eff accept it for dear mammals sake
you surely will not misinterpret me