Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-06-23
JACKS SWEETHEART.

eyes are flashing like sappnlreS In the
sun. 81 will not marry Mr.. Chester-I
despise him! You know well that if he
had no money you would never admit
him to your housel Oh, aunt, never
even dreamed you were SO mercenary"
81 am not-for myself. 1t is for you,
child-it is of your future that l am
thinking. must die some time, and you
know the conditions of my husbands
will make it impossible for me to leave
you one penny. Could you bear poverty
after enjoying all the pleasures which
wealth can give? All, child, it is hard,
bitter opponent to battle with when one
is so young and lovely as you arel"
81 have profession, aunt. / shall
not starve. And even if l had no way
of earning my bread would not marry
man whom detest for his money"
"Perhaps you and Jack Dunraven
have resolved to try poverty together"
suggests Mrs. Thornton.
There is the faintest suspicion of
sneer on the handsome mouth, but she
is too well bred to allow it to become
anything more than suggestion.
Poverty with the man l love would
be happiness compared with blighted
life. Aunt, do you believe in mercenary
marriages."
"Why not? l married the man my
parents chose for me; man they knew
could give me everything my heart de-
sired, and as whose wife would be a
queen in society,""
"Were you happy"
The handsome brows contracted a lit
tie.
"Yes, child-what an absurd ques-
tion."
"Ah, aunt, don't believe It'll You
were not as happy as you could have
been. Do you really think that l would
be happy as Mr.. Chesters wife? Let
your heart speak"
But the inscrutable mask is on her
face again; that instant's agony is over
She had cast off the young lover who
had her love for the wealthy suitor.
Well, the world is no wiser.
"Why should you not?" she says.
"You would be mad to reject him, Beth
He can give you every luxury-more
even than can. He is old, true, but
that is nothing. He would exchange
his wealth for your youth and beauty.
You could do no better. Even /, with
all my ambition, would be satisfied with
such a marriage. You have done bril-
liantly-exceeded my hopes. But you
must forget Jack; he is poor, he could
never make you happy"
sis wealth, luxury, pleasure all one
must live fol? Is love to have no place
in ones life at all?" cries Beth.
Mrs. Thornton shruSs her beautiful
shoulders.
''When one is young ones heart is apt
to take the lead in ones life," she says
"You are young, what is to be expected?
Mr.. Chester will be here this evening"
see that he receives the answer he
should"
With this she sweeps gracefully away,
throwing significant smile at her niece
as she closes the door.
"Ah, jack" said Beth Russell, softly,
"Iw will be true to you till death-through
poverty, through everything! You doubt
my love now, but some day I will prove
to you how even society girl can love.
It has been bitterly cold all day, and
for the first time perhaps in many weeks
the street corners are deserted. A warm
house and q warmer fire is every stray
pedestrians goal. And now, just at
dusk, as the lights are just peeping
through the gathering gloom, a fine, cut
ting snow begins to fall.
The usual crowd at the little station
is dispensing; the hustle and excitement
caused by the arrival of the through
passenger train has subsided and the op.
orator is left once more to herself.
She closes her key with little snap,
goes up to the blazing fire in the huge,
ugly stove and holds out her slender
hands to its warm radiance.
''The petted darling of wealthy home
and innumerable friends in a common
serge gown" She laughs softly and
rubs one hand up and down the sleeve OF
her dress. 81 wonder what Mr.. Chester
would say were he to see me now! All,
poor aunt, wish you could have lived!
But perhaps it is best as it is, and am
glad-glad you could not leave me one
dollar. Poor, proud Jack! When he
hears that II, the supposed heiress--
am poor, even poorer than he is, will he
come to me-then?"
The door opens and slams, letting in q
cold gust of rain, wind and snow.
"Ah, Lem, is that your" she says
brightly, as young giant of fellow
comes toward her, shaking the snow
from his clothes like great dog. "How
could you +, member me on night like
this? And no overcoatw she exclaims
"Why, you will freezer
His handsome face lights up with q
smile that displays dazzling row Of
teeth.
perhaps l stopped in to get warm,
he said roguishly, land not to see you al
all. Why, it was only yesterday that
saw your
Then the brightness dies out of his
face, and some Of the youthfulness goes
with it.
"Ah, what an eternity that has seemed
to me-" he says, his eyes dark with
earnestness. every minute spent away
from you is a blank. | never knew what
it was to count the minutes before yor
came. never had this restlessness be
fore, but with you am calm; you quiet
me; just one glance from your eyes
that is enough"
She lays one soft little hand on his
powerful brown one.
"Poor Lenn!" she says softly. 81 an
sorry"
He turns away and draws one hand
across his eyes, then smiles at her il
almost his usual light hearted fashion.