The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-07-08

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| ders to go, as did not know what diff
ficulty might have in convincing Mary
that 1 could not help the delay. The
general appearance of things seemed
rather unfamiliar, but 1 laid that to
the storm, and hastily stepping to the
door l rang the bell. The house SEEM
ed strangely silent and dark. While
waiting | thought l remembered a
| yard to the house Mary lived in, while
! this one was built up to the pavement.
| These thoughts were running mechan-
| ically through my mind when the door
| suddenly opened and Mary appeared.
"'Did you think l had deserted you,
darling?" l asked, quickly imprisoning
one of her hands in both of mine, while
gallantly stopped and my mustache
swept her face.
'What do you mean. sir? and Who
are youP' came in ringing tones from
my supposed Mary, as she quickly
snatched her hand from mine
"The strange voice aroused me first
and then 1 understood why things
looked strange. l had come to the
wrong house.
"1 humbly beg your pardon said 1,
making my most polite bow.
thought this was 44O Jefferson ave-
nue."
at is,' answered the insulted lady.
"1t is? Then don't John Shannon
live here?'
"'No, he don't. Nor never did that
l know Of
HE did live on jefferson avenue,
and 440 was the number, or was the
last time was in Belden.'
ID
den.'
"Confound the luck! Excuse me,
miss, but have made two such fool
ish mistakes that the thought of it up
sets me for second. 1 wanted to go
to Belden and have fallen short ten
miles. l am very sorry that caused
you trouble. I hope you will forgive
me-
Certainly! am sorry you made
a mistake in the place
Thanking her for her sympathy
(Which, by the way, did not help me
much, when l remembered my first
greeting with her,) 1 got away some
how, and was driven back to the depot
to find that it would be several hours
before another train left for Belden. 1
decided then to send a telegram and
wait till morning. The telegram was
sent, but if she got it it must have been
after it was too late.
Il passed restless night and was
glad when it was over. and l was
again on my way to Belden. l didn't
make any mistakes that time. and
when 1 reached the Shannon house 1
received a warmer reception than l ex-
pected."
ggul A,,tA - Ill ..LL
herP asked Jack, interestedlv.
Il didn't see her. Her father met
me and politely informed me that they
had no use for such delinquents, when
the delay was caused in the manner
my other darling-the one l had left
the night before in Bolton.
II tried to explain, but he slammed
the door in my face. and, of course,
that ended the interview with him.
But staid in town all that day hoping
to see Mary. In the afternoon l wrote
her letter of explanation and gave a
boy half dollar to deliver it. In a
half hour the letter was returned to
me unopened. Then, for the first time,
was 1 angry. My pride rose up in
arms and 1 boarded the next train
back home and have never seen her
since.
"'But how did they know, Hail. about
the Belton girl-your other darlingP'
II didn't know then, but found out
afterward. 1t was the cab driver that
gave me away. He was distant rela-
ton of Mary's. and 1 knew he was
sweet on her. but as had never met
him didn't know him, while he knew
me. How he got word to her that
night l don't know. But 1 am sure
that he did not tell facts or she would
not have treated me so shabbily. His
story, whatever it was, was a success
to him, for a few months afterward
they were married.
THAT ended that romance. 1 hope
this one will have a happier ending,
but / want to be sure that will have
somebody along with me to put me off
at the right place and see that don't
kiss any other girl but the future Mrs.
Goodluck. Now, you know why l
want your help. Will you go?"
with all my heart" answered Jack.
But you haven't told me yet who is the
unfortunate lady?"
Nellie Gwynn. The girl 1 kissed
by mistake on my other marriage eve."
Last week I surprised Hal and Nellie
in their pleasant home. having jolly
romp with their 2-year-old boy, who,
by the way, they call Jack.-Ci,seis-
matt Post.