The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-12-14
EDITH LYLE'S REVENGE.

tUIIH LYLES KEVEN6E.
tom Randall, if you marry Edith
Lyle you will make the biggest mis-
take of your life."
"But, Harry, old man, 1 love her"
replied Tom, "and although I have
never had sufficient courage to ask
her to be my wife up to the present,
yet 1 made up my mind last evening
that would ask her at the first oppor-
tunity she gave me-"
"Tom, don't do it, she won't make
you happy p said Harry Chalmers, ear
nestly.
"Why not, Harry?" asked Tom, Il
know she isn't beautiful and rich, but
she is quiet and nice, besides she has
character and she is the only woman
that have met thus far whom l have
ever thought | cared for"
"Well, Tom, in the first place she is
a New England schoolma'am and
prudish in her ideas; besides she is
rigid in her orthodox notions as any
old puritan ever was, she objects to a
mans smoking a good cigar and the
idea of smoking a pipe would simply
horrify her-and you know you are
never half so content as when you
have one or the other in your mouth.
Besides, Tom, there is her mother,
a confirmed invalid, afflicted with
some disease that is just aggravating g
enough to make her constant care
and yet allow her to live along until
she dies of old age"
"But Harry, like the girl, and for
her sake l migkt be willing to give up
some comforts, and as for her mother
l can't believe she is as bad as you
picture her; besides | think l could
endure the old lady somehow and I
believe if a man loves woman he
ought to be willing to put up with a
great deal for her sake.
81 remember, - continued Tom. "my
own mother" his voice was little
shaky and tear trembled in his eye
at the recollection; "if she were living
to-day and the woman l wanted to
marry objected to me on her account
I should hardly consider her worthy
to become my wife"
''Tom," said Harry, placing his hand
with friendly affection upon Toms
shoulder, "we were chums together at
school and college. I am older than
you are and 1 have been through the
mill. Trust me; don't marry Edith
Lyle; she doesn't care much for you.
You are young and good-looking, be-
sides you have nice little sum in the
bank and most any girl would con-
slider you catch"
Harry, you don't think Edith Lyle
is that kind of woman, do you?"
cried Tom, white and trembling.
"Why not, Tom?" answered Harry.
81 heard her signing only this MORN
ing because she could not dress as
nicely as some of the girls here do, and
besides," he continued, "when man
is fne-looking and likely to rise in the
world most any poor girl would be
willing to accept him."
That was all the slight girlish figure,
just inside the window, heard, and
then the two men passed out of hear
ing.
Edith Lyle pressed her little hands
over her heart as if to still it's beating
and almost moaned aloud in her an
guish.
"Oh, that I could tell him that it is
him, yes, above all else in the world,
anu Gldb WOu1u UG NIA1II Oos SldNl
to marry him without dollar in
the world" was the cry that surged
up from her heart.
"But l cannot tell him-no. can
not. He has never asked for my love
and he would despise me for offering
it to him. No, can only suffer and
bear the pain; he must never know.
She wrung her hands and glided
softly across the parlor and up the
wide staircase to her own room, and
fiinging herself upon the bed she be-
gan to sob as though her heart would
break.
Edith Lyle was in truth a New Eng
land schoolma'am and had left the lit
tie country village and had come here
to this quiet, seashore town to spend
the short summer vacation away from
care and toll.
While here she had met Tom Ran
dail-met him and had done the most
natural thing in the world for a girl tc
do-had fallen in love with him, yes,
without even asking his permission.
A week before his friend had joined
him, and he, seeing st once how Tom
felt, had sought for an opportunity tc
! tell him that Edith was not the CIR
for him to marry.
That opportunity had come at last
when Edith had been almost an un
willing listener.
And now she knew that it was too
late-.that he would never ask her the
question that had trem bled on his lips
| for week past; knew that he woulo
go away and carry with him all the
! love and affection that she would evel
have for any man.
When she came down to latt
breakfast next morning. thinking sht
would be able to sip cup of coffee
alone, she was surprised to see Harr,
Chalmers sitting by the open windov
on the veranda outside the dining
room, telegram in his hand and I
thoughtful look on his face.
He rose as she advanced into th
room and stepping lightly across th
low sill said: Il have waited to SCI
you, Miss Lyle. l have a message TO
you" He paused, then added quickly
"My friend Tom wished me to Civ
you his regards and regrets that b.
could not see you and say good-b.
himself, but he received telegram
late last night calling him home OF
important business and was obliged t
leave on an early train"
"Indeed!" she replied; 81 am sorr
not to have said good-by to Mr.. Ran
dali, for before he returns | shall prot
ably have to go home and spend tn
rest of my vacation with mamma"
"Oh, he will not come back this sea
son." said Chalmers, then added quick
ly, "but surely, Miss Lyle, you are NO
going home so soon?"
There was so much interest in hi
voice that she looked up quickly. an
instantly lowered her eyes agair
"So," she thought. "this is your me