The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-10-19
TWO YOUNG WoOERs.

"Fannie-Miss Dawson-and she's
mine if I want her. OF course l don't
mean that any thing has really passed
between us, but can easily tell when
a girl is smitten and II Fannie isn't
then no maiden ever was.
"Ah! how she looked up at me with
her lovely, big, dreamy eyes at the
play last night! Walter, you'd fall at
her feet if her face were ever to light
up for you the way it does when ap-
proach her."
Mrs. Dawson had invited Stapely to
call at her apartments that evening
and as they we're passing out OF the
dining-room he quietly suggested that
Carlton be included in the party. This
being agreed to, the amiable Arthur
few minutes later slapped his friend
on the shoulder, saying:
"Walter, old fellow, I'm going in to
see Fannie this evening, and you're
invited to go along. Remember,
though, that you're to entertain the
widow"
When they called on the ladies
Stapely at once claimed Fannie's at
tention and Mrs. Dawson invited Carl
ton to look through an album, filled
with portraits of her dead husband and
others for whom he was likely to be
concerned in corresponding degree.
Il am afraid those people are becom-
ing interested in each other" the
widow said in an undertone as Carlton
was shutting the album; "well, l sup-
pose they're old enough to take care Of
themselves"
While he was trying to think of
something to say in reply, Fannie pro-
posed a game of whist, and he jumped
up to help her clear the table.
In cutting for partners Stapely,
much to his disgust, got Mrs. Dawson.
and Darlton at once forgot all he had
ever learned concerning the game.
For long time Fannie looked upon
his blunders and smiled, but at last
her patience being overcome, she
cried:
"Why, Mr.. Carlton, 1 thought you
were good player!"
Then she blushed, tried to stammer
an apology. and in her confusion
made provoking misplay.
Carlton was never more displeased
with himself than he was as he re-
turned to his bachelor apartments
that evening, and his temper was not
improved by Stapely, who, as soon
as they were alone, said:
"By Jove! l don't know as it's just
right for me to lead that little girl on
in the way am until find out wheth-
er l want the affair to go on any fur
ther or not. I'm afraid she's getting
rather too affectionate for comfort. 6
As the weeks went by Stapely con-
tinued to pay his undivided attention
to Miss Dawson, and it daily became
more apparent to him that the young
lady was pining away to hear the
words that would make her happy for
life.
There is exquisite pleasure in such a
thought. To realize himself wildly,
madly loved by beautiful girl who is
ready to throw herself from the top
story window the moment she learns
that his affections are not for her
ought to make any young man feel
that life is worth living.
For Walter Carlton the last three
months had been filled with anything
but contentment. He loved Miss
Dawson with all the intensity of his
nature and availed himself of every
opportunity to be near her, even
though he must needs sit idly by
while her attention was claimed by
another.
The anxious young widow always
took care to throw Fannie into Stape-
ly's company as much as possible,
and, in order to secure them from in
terruption, devoted herself to the task
of entertaining Carlton.
He, on his part was willing to be hel
escort or Ts-a-vis simply that he
might be able to feast his eyes upon
Fannie. 1t therefore presently came tc
be rumored about the "W oodruff" that
he had succumbed to the bewitching
widows charms, and she began to
think that he was not bad sort OF
person after all.
Il really believe Mr.. Carlton is in
love-" she said to Fannie on one occa-
sion; she often has far-away look in
his eyes, and Mr.. Stapley says he sits
around musing all the time, not at all
like he use to be-"
Fannie made no reply, but gazed
out upon the blue waters of the bay
until long after it had grown so dark
that she could not possibly have seen
anything to interest her.
While the maiden sat thus, pensive-
ly dreaming, Stapely was outlining
plan that had for its object her ever
lasting happiness.
"Yes, Walter" he said, NJ have de.
cided to set my sweet Fannie's mind
at rest. The suspense is beginning to
be too much for her and / have de-
cided not to put it off any longer.
"I'm to gladden. her heart tonight
and want you to help me. When WE
go in to call on the ladies this evening
shall invite Fannie to take a stroll
and you must contrive to keep our lit
tie widow from going along. Play
sick or tired or anything to keep hel
back. One word of complaint and
she'll overturn the esta blishment tc
alleviate your suffering. What do you
think of itp"
81 guess it'll do, "Carlton replied
with affected carelessness, but his
heart sank within him at the thought
of SO soon being compelled to relin-
quish the foolish hopes he had al
along entertained, though unwilling
until now to acknowledge them even
to himself.
Now it is fact that while Stapley
was preparing his batteries for the in
tended onslaught Mrs. Dawson was re-
volving in her mind a scheme that was
destined to completely upset his plans,
albeit she had in her view the very END
that he intended to bring about.
She was troubled about Fannie,
whose distracted air plainly betokened
love and whose wistful look as clearly
indicated to the philanthropic Glars
that it was high time for Stapely to
declare himself
At the end of half an hour she had
formulated plan that if properly car.
ried out must prove successful.
"For," said she. Il want to go down
the street this evening to get some
materials for piece of fancy, work
that wish MIR. Carlton to know moth
ing about. So when / tell Arthur that
have an errand down town and ask
him to accompany me want you to
keep Walter here. It won't take long,
but if you don't care to remain in the
house you can propose walk after we
are gone-only don't come where you
will be likely to meet u.s."
Shortly thereafter the gentlemen
presented themselves at the widows
door and she took advantage of the