The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-05-09

man, ana ne Know 1J ana muuo use OF
the knowledge whenever he could.
He wns great favorite with the
weaker sex-handsome men always are
and had he desired to, he might have
counted his conquests by the score.
He was not wealthy. His income
barely sufficed for his own luxurious
living, and when he married he could
by no means afford to despise that dross
for which men have, before now, sold
their souls.
Surely it was no harm for him TO part
with that insignificant organ in his anat-
omy, which he called heart, in return
for fair amount of loveliness and gold
The next night found him faultlessly
attired, at Mrs. Leonard's reception.
A simmer of peach-bloom satin, in
the moving mass of humanity, attracted
him, and taking pair of sparkling
brown eyes as guiding stars, he made
his way to the side of Blanche Sturte-
want
AS she made room for him beside her,
she said:
81 thought you didn't like recep-
tions"
81 do not, as a general thing" he re-
Piled ''but this had a peculiar attrac-
tion for me-"
The meaning he threw into the glance
he bestowed on her sent the delicate
rose bloom to her checks, and she
looked ten times as lovely to his fastidi
Gus eyes.
But suddenly, while he gazed at her
pretty, flushed face, queer sensation
seized him. He felt actually timid
about asking this beautiful girl to be
his wife--even though he had been for
years man of the world. Somehow
he felt as though she could read his
very thoughts with those bright eyes.
''Do l look very badly?"
Her musical voice recalled him to his
senses.
81 beg your pardon. Was I staring
at you? Your dress is beautiful-and
you"
"Thank you," she said, hurriedly.
81 fancied from the intentness of
your gaze you had not quite decided
whether l would do or not" and she
laughed softly.
Il was in brown study" he re-
turned.
The crowd surged around them, and
two or three men looked anXiously at
the seat occupied by Weston.
Some music was playing in another
room, and when the strain had ended
he spoke again.
"Miss Sturtevant" he said, "I wanted
to ask you a question tonight, but the
crowd is so great that there is not much
opportunity for confidential talks. If 1
will write to you tomorrow, will you
favor me with reply?"
"Certainly!" and the brown eyes
smiled sweetly, and perhaps uncon-
sciously, at him, as he rose to relin-
quish his seat to another admirer.
"There-that was neatly DONE" was
his mental comment, mo fuss, no love-
making to undergo-nothing disagree
able, and, if the fates are kind, [ shall
have one of the finest looking and one
of the richest women in g. for my
wife"
He threaded his way carefully among
the crowd, replying to kindly greet
ing here and there, and presently found
himself in the conservatory.
But it was occupied.
Standing under tall palm, radiant
vision in blue and gold, stood Blanche
Wellington.
His face frightened as he approached
her. for anything beautiful always APP
pealed strongly to the artistic side of
his nature, and what could be more
beautiful than this tall, queenly woman
with crown of golden hair, and the
deep blue of a violet lurking in the cool
depths of her eyes
What an opportunity there was to
win for his own this lovely grill
His conversation with Miss Sturte-
want, a few moments ago, crossed his
mind, but he dismissed it with
thought
He could easily explain to her his
request. Thank Heaven, he had not
committed himself!
Miss Wellington turned to him with
a smile.
$50 you are here this evening. Do
you enjoy it?"
81 have not-until now"
What did it matter if that sweet
speech was false, it was very neat. At
any rate it brought beautiful color to
the soft cheek of the maiden before
him.
''Is it not beautiful in hereP" she
said.
YES" fervently, sit is fit setting
for you"
Nov you are fattering me-"
Indeed l am not, l am always
truthful" and he threw world of
counterfeit tenderness into the dark
eyes he turned upon her.
1t was only step from that to some
thing more-and he took it.
Holding her soft, white hand in his,
he began:
"Miss Blanche, I am growing very
tired of lonely life. want some one
to share my griefs and joys Will you
be my wife?"
"Really-I-I hardly know" she be-
gan.
At that moment gay voices were
heard coming in their direction, and
she drew her hand away from his clasp.
In another moment the lively party
were in sight, and he had only time to
murmur: II will write tomorrow
will you reply?"
YES" and presently the cool, re-
tired place was invaded by the merry
hasty retreat.
The next day he wrote the two let
ters he had promised-for he was a
man of his word.
To Miss Sturtevant he wrote this;