The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-06-17
WHOLE No. 119O.

neglected herP What could you expect
but that you would lose herP"
81 left her because l loved her; be-
cause was not worthy to enter her
pure presence, or to breathe the air that
surrounded her."
Then you should have told her so.
Certainly no one would have put that
construction upon your actions"
Hartley seemed too crushed to
answer; but by degrees learned the
whole story.
1t seemed that in thoughtless mo-
ment he had entered into an entangle-
ment with some low, designing woman.
Then as the horror of what he had
done rushed over him he had resolved
he would not see or write to Veronica
till he was free from the contamination
of such company. and could feel he
was once more fit to approach her.
Hartley's easy good nature was too
weak to cope with the strong will of
the woman who held him, so time drift
ed on while he hoped for some lucky
chance to liberate him from the bonds
which had become so CALLING.
Each imploring letter from Veronica
met with no response. Hartley was
oCUOL W IOlO uO
of any kind till he could return to their
wished to hold him, she only asked for
breaking with the suspense. Till he
had freed her she would not accept her
freedom.
So things continued till that dreadful
November morning when a telegram
came for Hartley-Veronica was dying
dying of broken heart. Her last
wish was to see once more the man she
loved.
'And were you in time to explain to
her and to receive her forgiveness?"
No, too late-too late. She died
without knowing it was the intensity
of my love and reverence for her that
kept me silent. / would willingly
have died to save her an hours trouble,
and yet it is / who caused her death. :"
There was silence in the room. I
went to the window; the fog had grown
denser. The room behind me was
dark; for some time, almost unknown
to myself the thought of Veronica
Lester had been the light of it.
/ stood there musing till the murky
twilight merged into night and when
at length l turned from the window,
and lighted the gas, found that Hart
ley had gone.
The next morning rose clear and
bright. a contrast to the gloom of the
preceding day, but the weight of dark
ness on my mind seemed all the heavier
for the external brightness.
1t was somewhat of a relief to me
that Hartley did not turn up at the
Office. l did not feel as if 1 could
tolerate his presence. And yet he and
in the last few months had been
warm friends. His was a sunny, genial
nature that no one could withstand.
The hours passed on. Noon, after
noon, almost evening, and no news of
Hartley. AS 1 prepared to fasten up
for the night the thought of my un-
fortunate partner smote my heart with
a sudden chill. After all it was weak
ness and not wickedness which had
caused his misery.
resolved to 60 round by his rooms
on my way home and inquire for him.
Alas! He was even then beyond the
reach of inquiry, beyond the gnawing
of remorse, so far as the world was con.
cerned.
On the first notice board l saw the
words in large letters, Terrible trag.
edy. Shocking murder and suicide. y
Some unaccountable premonition
warned me what L should find when
opened the newspaper.
You may remember the rest-the
bloodcurdling details were in all the
daily papers.
GA leaving my Office the previou;
evening Frank Hartley had gone
straight to his rooms. and in paroxysn
of revenge and despair had shot the
unfortunate woman who had caused
his ruin. and had sent the remaining
contents of the revolver through hi'
own head.
In short time the Hartley tragedy
had faded from the public mind. No
so with me. l changed my Office to {
brighter and more cheerful situation
/ secured new partner. l went into
society, and in the charms of many
fair maidens sought to forget the on,
who had enslaved my heart-but il
vain.
One evening l was strolling hom,
through Hyde Park, and paused mo
ment to listen to one of the stuml
orators. who can at any time and will
any theme attract crowd.
In turning round to continued my
homeward way l came face to face
with-could it be possible
Lester? 1 stood transfxed with aston
ishment, while she. surprised at my
forehead to her chin. Then, holding
out her hand, she said:
Il am so glad to have met you, MIR.
Vernon. have often hoped l might
do so. and that you might be able to
tell me something more of poor Frank
Hartley"
'Veronica-Miss Lester" 1 stammer
ed, unable to believe that / was in my
senses. Il understood from Frank
Hartley that you were dead"
'1-dead," she replied, much mysti-
fed. Then as the solution of the mys
terry crossed her mind, "Ah, perhaps
did not explain to you that | came tc
your Office on behalf of my sister, pool
Veronica. She is dead; I am Irene
Lester"
'.And you did not love Frank Hart
leyP"
"I-love Frank Hartley; certainl!
not. He was engaged to my sister.
only came to see him because she wa
too-too ill to come herself.
And so, indeed. it has happened. l
is needless to recount how Irene in
vited me to her home, that l nigh
tell her unhappy mother fuller details
of Frank Hartley and the unfortunate
history which caused the death of thei
beloved Veronica. How was made ;
welcome friend and how Irene's friend
ship slowly deepened into love.
Suffice it is to say that Irene Leste
has now been for years my believes
wife and is. if possible. more unutter
ably dear because she came to me a
from the dead.
Right to Wear a Mustache.
A groom's right to wear mustach