Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-06-16

hlu ntoppcQ DrAuIc a lllAlt uottuclUiY
examining it, but in reality analyzing
his state Of mind. Was he Jealous? II
so, he really loved Bessie. but could he
ask her to be his when all he had seen
confirmed her coquetryi
Bessie and Hughes came near and
stopped before a large plant, but with
their backs toward .Cecil, who was well
screened from them.
"Miss Fa1hngton," said the author in
the unmistakable voice Of devotion, "do
you like literatureY"
81 love il, she replied. -"Let me tell
you little secret that you must never
reveal. have lately had quite num-
Der of poems puhlished-anonymously
of course"
Adorable, = he cried, enthusiastically.
"You must show them to me-"
"By no means. You would criticise
the poor little attempts"
"Not for worlds. They could not
help being full Of fire and genius. But
would you not like to devote your life,
yourself, to literature?"
"Oh! Mr.. Hughes, my humble talents
wouldn't last fortnight"
Al don't mean in that way; though
your talent would. mean would you
not like to live, always IN a literary at
mosphere-in fact. Miss Fallington, as
the wife of an author"
"Pardon me, Mr.. Hnghes," she ex-
claimed, "but l do believe this rare plant
is dying. must tell father at once"
Don't turn me aside," pleaded tine
author, trying to catch her hand. II
love you to-
"Hush. hush, Mr.. Hughes she whis-
pered. "Here comes some one"
The some one was Tom Plotton, and
he was coming direct for them.
"Mr. Hughes" he said, "they are ask
ing for you in the parlor. They're dis
cussing the authorship of late anony-
nous poem. They want you to help
them out"
Every WELL" replied Hughes gallant
ly, "and l think can make good de-
cision on the latest and directest infor-
nation"
Don't you dare" exclaimed Bessie,
with a light laugh, the meaning OF
which came in words as soon as the au-
thor was out of hearing.
ooh! I'm so glad you came, for, don't
you think, he was just declaring his love
| for me-"
Both broke into hearty laugh. Con
viction struck Cecil. If this wasn't ar
evidence of heartless coquetry what
could be2 He sincerely thanked his
good fortune that his doubts had KEEP
him from declaring his own love sew
eral months before in similar place.
"And | have no doubt" he heard
Plotton say, "that if 1 were now t.
say that love you you'd thank SONS
one for interrupting. and laugh a!
heartily over my Stiffness, wouldn'
your"
"Perhaps should"
"Though you have given me some en-
couragement, Bessie"
"Have I? Come, want to tell fathe,
this plant is dying"
They moved away and Cecil returned
to the parlor, thrilling with pleasure a
his narrow escape. He reioiced great.
that Bessie Fallington had never had {
chance to laugh at him. He shortl,
withdrew elated, but in the night donb
of his decision troubled him. The hear
and head would not agree. The strong
er became the latter, the fuller was tn
former of regret that he could not hav
Bessie Fallington.
Next morning he hastened to Plotton'
establishment and found that gentlema
) in his glass office looking quite happy.
"Happy commission stroke:" aske
Cecil.
ayes, an unusual one. Well. SUI
pose you have come to compare note
J about Bessie Fallington."
eyes"
"Well, what's your decision:"
"That she is heartless t1irt, and
!: think I'll give up all thoughts Of her."
J "You thir'e so."
4 "Yes, only think. for still can't d.
+ eide, and came again to get your opil
= ion."
! "Well, I'll let you have it. l don
Y think she would make you good wifi
I believe myself she is firt, and h;
lots of faults. If l were you I'd loo
J. elsewhere"
e "This is your earnest, sincere advic
r is it,"
n ''It is. But there is another reast
f why I'd give her up if I were you."
i "What is it,"
"She is engaged"
Engaged and flirting around the W;