The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-08-02
THE BACHELORS PROPOSAL.

fellow, with blue eyes and dark hair.
He was an artist by profession. He
hadsl)ut few patrons, but that fact did
not trouble him much, as he was very
well-to-do.
He was idly toying with his watch
chain and watching the smoke of his
cigar as it curled upward in the air,
when the door opened and Mr. Clifton
Wayne entered the room.
"Well, Arthur. how are you to-day?"
were his first words. thinking of
your lady-love?"
Don't be fool, Clifton!" was his
polite reply. "You know hate girls
like-like-"
"Softly, softly, my dear SIR" inter-
rupted Clifton, ,laughingly, "the trouble
is you haven't come across the right
"And never will," interrupted Ar
thur. "But enough of this nonsense.
heard to-day that your sister Clara
was about to give a grand ball. Is that
SOP"
"Of course it is and you're to be in
vited. And, say, Arthur, Cousin
too. She will be splendid catch for
you"
"There you 60 again, Clifton. Yod
know l am confirmed bachelor. Any
as for Miss Nellie-what did you sau
her name is?"
"Forsy sythe-Nellie Forsythe. But
good-day I have an appointment
downtown" and he hurried away.
Now Arthur Lyle had been in love,
and what he believed to be pure gold
ne found to be iron pyrites only, moth
ing more. And when he found that
out it didn't take long for his heart to
heal.
Years ago he had felt sure that he
understood. one woman. He had even
gone so far as to tell her that if she
SO willed it henceforth his life would
be devoted equally to her and his pro-
fession. And she had smiled and
looked so pleased that he had kissed
her and supposed that she would at
some time, not far distant, be his own.
But he had supposed too much, as
he afterward found out when she was
married few weeks later to dashing g
young lawyer.
This hurt his susceptible and sensi-
tive heart to think she had so deceived
him and he told her so the first time he
saw her after her marriage.
And she, with one of her innocent,
surprised looks, answered his indignant
words by saying that he had never
asked her to marry him."
Il don't know that l did, but that is
what 1 meant and took it for granted
that you understood me-"
"Yes, but you've no right to take
anything for granted when you are
dealing with a woman" and she
laughed at his verdancy.
He had not met her for several
years. He went to visit his friend
Clifton at his beautiful villa in. the
suburbs. He had been there but a
few days when he walked out on the
piazza and. to his amazement, saw his
former sweetheart walking around the
grounds of a neighboring house with a
half-grown child-a little girl-who in
many ways resembled her mother.
Lyle gazed around at the smooth
emerald lawn, the budding flowers, the
green, waving woods, the broad
meadows and purple hills, realizing as
never before their sweet, serene lowell
ness.
at seems ungrateful to be unhap-
py," he thought, with smothered
sigh.
He walked on aimlessly. blind, deaf
to everything around him. Thoughts
of his lost love and the fate that had
separated them were struggling to-
gether tumultuously in his brain.
The sound of horse rushing madly
down the road and low, startled cry
reused him suddenly from the reverie
into which he had fallen. He looked
up and saw a young lady in great
peril.
He darted forward and, seizing the
horse by the bit, stopped him.
He smiled proudly down in the
anxious, uplifted face.
What gentle woman's heart she
had, this lovely girl with soft, brown
little creature with charming, refined
face.
where do you wish to go?" he in
quired, respectfully.
"To Wayne villa" she replied, in a
sweet voice that thrilled his heart.
81 found no one at the depot to meet
me, so got horse and thought
would ride over, but my horse took
fright and was thrown off. as you
see, but if you will assist me to re.
mount think l can reach the villa
safely"
Arthur lifted her into the saddle and
stood gazing after her with queer
sort of look on his face as the horse
continued up the road.
1t was a splendid night. The stars
shone beautifully, the air was soft anC
balmy. Wayne villa was brilliantly
illuminated; Chinese lanterns shone
here and there among the trees-ir
fact, it looked like fairy paradise
carriages drove up and deposited ladies
and gentlemen and the sound of music
was heard from the parlors. Mis-!
| Clara Wayne was giving ball.
When Arthur Lyle was announced
there was buzz through the room, a!
he was general favorite and maneu
vering mammas did not quite despair
of catching him.
"Ah! Arthur, how glad I am to SCI
you'll" exclaimed Miss Clara. seizins
him by the hand. 81 must INTRODUCED
you to Miss Forsythe."
Hang Miss Forsythe!" thought Ar
thur (his thoughts were all centered OF
the fair girl he had rescued on the roat
that morning., but he followed CLAIR
obediently to the corner of the room
where lady who had her back turned
to him was talking with party o
gentlemen.
Miss Forsythe, Mr.. Lyle" sale
Clara, presenting him. why, what
the matter with you, Mr.. Lyle?" sh
cried, as Arthur stood with eyes Wild
open, looking at Miss Forsythe. Fo
in Miss Forsythe he recognized tn
beautiful girl he had met so unex
pectedly in the morning. However, h
recovered himself sufficiently to con
verse as if nothing had happened
From that time he found that he love-
her. She was woman after his ow
heart. But he didn't know how to tel
her so if he made up his mind that h
cared to marry.