The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-10-31
RETRIBUTION.
a Soft Heart Prevented a De-
served Punishment.

I should expect to be punished for it."
"Well, il Mr. Phil has n mind to make
q fool of himself, / do not see what
business it is of mine," said piquant,
but firm and quiet voice, and sweet
lips closed themselves with decision;
they We're lips often accustomed to
close themselves with decision, for
they belonged to Helen Rutledge.
Helen Rutledge was girl whom
any common description would wrong;
though she had brown eyes and hair,
and though the eyes were expressive
and the hair soft and wavy, though her
voice was a contralto and had that pc
culiar charm which that voice gives to
every word; though her deep brown
eyes were large, with full though thin
lids of unusual beauty and long brown
lashes; when you told these things she
was still undescribed. There was an
indescriUable charm about her, due not
to any peculiar feature, but mainly to
a self-centered, decisive, superior air
which seemed to come from her very
nature without any intervention of
consciousness. As to her character,
well, that will have to be shown.
The men seemed to have a trick of
falling in love with her, habit which
caused her some annoyance and no
little amusement; but none had been
so completely under her thumb as
Philip Haughton. They were all to-
gether at popular summer resort. He
was an attractive youth, and all the
girls liked him, but he cared for none
but Helen. He was intellectual, enter
tanning, handsome and full of resources,
and would have been conspicuous
character if the good men had been as
plentiful as they were scarce. His
only faults We're a slight, almost boy
ish figure, and certain lightness of
mien which some thought denoted
trivolity of character.
The dialogue above was interrupted
by the entrance of the party discussed.
Jennie, the friend, looked rather con-
scious Helen not at all so.
''Oh, Miss Rutledge," said Philip as
they walked off together, "they are
arranging for big dance at the Grand
Western this evening; may have the
pleasure of your company?'
"No, l do not like to make an en-
But you make engagements with
Others"
well, what then?"
Nothing, only thought that after,
all my devotion to you you might con-
descend to treat me as you do the others
who do not care the snap of their finger
for you. Well'-with a sigh-''the old
idea is right that what we feel surest
of we care least about. If l had more
of the worlds wisdom would conceal
my heart, but / love you too well for
that, and so l suffer"
''You need not worry yourself about
1T; I shall be at the dance and you may
look at me to your hearts content"
II will, for it is the only thing you
will let me do"
The dance came and Philip was there,
but Helen would not dance with him
and hardly spoke to him. To he sure
he did not waltz, which she said was
the only dance she liked, but he
thought bitterly as he followed around
at her heels she would not have re-
garded that had she cared anything for
him He had resolved not to be out
keep away; he made many such re-
solves, but he made them only to break
them. For she was always so sweet
and attractive, and just as he was on
the point Of open rebellion she would
be so kind and friendly he would soon
be as devoted as ever. Helen did not
believe herself Eirt, and resented the
accusation with scovp; she even said it
worried her to have man dangling
after her, but Philip HaUghton was not
the first man who had beon treated in
just that style. Still, she was not an
intentional flirt and her hGyoc was
wrought from thoughtlessness sNther
than malice.
Well, the season wore to close AID
still Philips abject, servile devotion to-
Helen made him the laughing stock of
the whole place. On the evening be-
fore the party to which Helen belonged
was to leave, Philip requested her com
pany for stroll along the beach For
a wonder she consented.
''The pale moon"-but do not like
interminable description and do not
care TO go on; you can find the rest in
the average popular novel.
After few light commonplaces, in
which both seemed to avoid conversa-
tion, Philip said;
81 fear l shall be very sad after to-
morrow. You have long k nown of my
love for you; may / not ask before we
pLrt--can you not give me some slight
return for all my devotion? Do you
not care little bit for me?"
''Mr Haughton, this scene is painful
To me, but there is only one course to
take: do not love you and never can.
have enjoyed your company when
you were not too loving, and, therefore,
have, perhaps, not discouraged your at
tentions as should have done, 50 beg
your pardon"
Philip received this calmly, for it was
only what he expected, and said 1T is
enough: you are cruel, but thank you
for your cruelty, for it will make a
man of me; l will never forget you,
hut will do all in my power to over
como my love for you, and whether
succeed or fail, rest assured that shall
never bother you again"
The next day when the general
&eave-taling occurred, Philips lips
arEen bled, but they were set as firmly
as @Fer were IIelen's own, and he said
gOOd-by as coldly as she did.
Three years passed by, very eventful
years to Helen Rutlcdge. To the sur
prise of all, except her friends, she was
still unmarried. She often said that