The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-05-25
FOR AULD LANG SYNE.

IL.
| FOR AULD LANG SYNE.
"What a foolish little woman! My
betrothed wife ought to have more
faith in me than to become jealous
every time l happen to look at pret-
ty face"
jealous, Eric Thorne!" echoed Miss
Beauford angrily. "You are very
much mistaken if you think l would
stoop to jealously but when you so far
forget yourself as to fiirt outrageously
with every handsome woman who
crosses your path it is time that
should protest"
"Really! Then presume that have
orders not to speak to Mrs Gresham
when meet her, notwithstanding the
fact that she is an old flame of mineP"
eff you are desirous of fre-establishing
your friendship or love for Mrs. Gresh-
am will not stand in your way. You
are at liberty henceforth and forever
to please yourself. Here is your ring"
"You don't mean to say, Nell, that
you wish to break our engagement on
account of a trifing misunderstand-
ing?"
II wish you distinctly to understand
| that release you from fetters that
evidently gall YOU"
AS Eric Thorne did not attempt to
take the ring from angry little Miss
Beauford she sent it spinning across
the piazza.
With a smothered exclamation he
picked it up, thrust it into his pocket,
and strobe away in towering rage.
"An old flame of his, am I?" queried
Mrs. Gresham, as she slowly rose from
the lounge on which she had been re-
clining. This lounge stood directly
under the window outside of which
Capt. Thorne and his afianced had
stood to settle their dispute; thus
Mrs. Gresham had been an uninten-
tional listener "His old flame! /
wonder how he recognized in the
wealthy widow, Edith Sprague, the
poor music teacher of ten years ago?
His old flannel"
Through the open window came the
! sound of sobbing, and upon looking
| out Mrs Gresham saw Miss Beauford
weeping as though her heart would
break.
"Miss Beaufordp
The widow laid her hand lightly on
Nell's bowed head. The girl sprang
to her feet and Mrs. Gresham resumed:
Miss Beauford, allow me to intro
duce myself am Mrs. Gresham"
Nell bowed.
"You will forgive me for intruding
upon you when l confess that l acct
dentally overheard your conversation
few minutes since with Capt. Eric
Thorne."
"Indccd" replied Miss Beauford,
drawing her small figure to its most
dignitied proportions.
"Yes, l overheard him tell you that
was an old flame of his, and thought
you would be benefited if l narrated
the whole story of that little affair OF
ours. Ten years ago, when l became
engaged to Eric Thorne, / was earning
my living as a music-teacher. He was
then, comparatively speaking, poor
wedding day his uncle died and left
him sole heir to all his property. Then
Eric asked to be released from his en-
eagement, giving as his reason for do
inc so that it would be ruin for him to
hamper himself with wife who had
been bred in poverty. A year later
married Mr.. Gresham. Now as his
widow am richer than Eric Thorne
will ever be, and I've come to New
port to settle my old score with him.
"Did you love Eric very much, Mrs.
Gresham?" asked Nell, after a mo-
ment's silence.
81 thought so then, but l found out,
later on, that had been mistaken"
"Ah! then it was not so hard for you
as it is for me to give him up, for /
oh. Mrs. Gresham, | love Eric Thorne
better than my life"
T "And yet he is that most -detestable
thing-a male firt!" said the widow
2 scornfully.
mo, no! Eric is vain, and admires
pretty women, but at heart he is gooC
and true. I admit he is something O
a coxcomb," said Nell, ruefully; "hand
some men are apt to be, you know"
"Still, for fear that Eric Thorne nigh
flirt with me, you broke your engage
ment with him?"
Il knew that you were wealthy
beautiful and fascinating; was atralt
you would win my lover from me, an'
and"
| Miss Beauford could get no further
| with her defense; indeed, when sh
i came to look at it calmly, it seemed
very childish piece of business alto
gether, and she was heartily ashame
of it.
"Miss Beauford, " said Mrs. Gresham
! kindly, "let me take this matter int
q q my own hands, and l promise you tina
. within three months Eric Thorne wi
be at you feet again; and l think
may also promise that he will be e
fectually cured of his flirting Pre-
pensities."