The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-01-11


I'll do any sort of work you want me
to-"
"Will you help me fix up the address
I've got to deliver at that politica,
gathering?"
"Yes. will"
"And swear you'll never tell that
you helped me?"
"Yes, I'll do that, too"
"And you will draw up a paper
swearing that you didn't write the ad.
dress l delivered last month to the Odd
Fellows? want you to do this, for
have heard it limited around that you
had hand in it."
"Yes, I'll do anything"
Dan was about to turn away after
receiving the money, when he caught
sight of a woman crossing the court
house yard.
"Who is thatp" he asked.
"Mrs. Burkley, the widow we have
employed to teach our school," the
mayor answered.
where did she come from?"
"From Wilson county, believe.
Did you ever meet her?"
81 think not" he said, as he hastened
toward doggery on the opposite side
of the street.
CHAPTER II.
On hill a short distance from the
village, hill shaded by poplar trees,
was an old school-house, originally
built of logs, but now weather-boarded
and whitewashed. The Widow Burk-
ley had just told the children that they
might go out and play until she called
them, when the door was darkened by
a reddish apparition. The widow ut
tered behtting little shrek, and then,
realizing that there was no serious
cause for alarm, said: "Come in. !"
She would not have extended this in
vitation had she not wanted to set an
example of courage.
Dan Miters stepped into the room.
He stood for moment looking at the
widow, and then said: Don't be afraid
OF me. saw you yesterday and didn't
know but you"
"Is it possible!" exclaimed the wo-
man.
THAT is what l was going to ask, !"
Dan replied, seating himself on
bench. "Twer ears make a great
change in app a1ances, even though
hearts sometimes remain the same"
Have you come here to reproach
me? Children" she added, turning to
several youngsters that showed dis
position to loiter about the door, "run
along now and play"
The children vanished, and the
widow, after looking out to see if they
were within hearing, said: "I have
suffered too much to bear reproach
now"
"But don't you think that you are
deserving of reproachp" he asked.
No, | acted as l thought best l
Promised to marry you, and while
you were with me you exercised so
strong an influence that thought I
loved you, but when you were gone I
knew that / didn't. l saw that was
charmed by your mind, but not
warmed by your heart. Another man
came. He was not bright. He had
many foolish words, but love is ex-
pressed in words that are foolish. You
awoke my admiration; he thrilled my
heart Then l wrote and told you not
to think of me again. was buried in
the roses of my own happiness. How
could I think of you?"
yes
''And were you happyP"
'tFor time. Then the dew fell off
the flowers. What could the flowers
do but witherP We went to a distant
town, and there he deserted me-"
rs he still livingP"
He was hanged"
''Do you love his memorv?"
No, for 1 have learned to think,
and thought is a dagger to foolish
love"
did you know that I was here?n
mo; some one told me that you
were lost at sea-"
Ibid you sorrow over the news?n
mo; l did not love you"
"Did you not hear something elsep"
Not until a year ago, and then 1
heard that you were alive and hope
less drunkard."
Weren't you moved at that?"
81 was moved with pity
''And would your pity sink deeper
into your heart if | were to tell YOU
that l am the most hopeless of all
drunkards? Look at me- Look.n He
opened his coat. Il have given my
old shirt to negro for drink Does
your pity sink deeperP"
"Oh, please go away, George. go
away. You distress me nearly to
death. My God! 1 have suffered
enough"
"Ah, but not for me. You have suf-
fered because your own heart has
been wrung; you have not suffered for
my degradation and despair. Mary,
you still have it in your power to save
me. With your help I can kill my
appetite. can do something for US
both. Be my wife and atone for the
awful wreck you made years ago"
"George, have always been true to
myself. don't love you"
"Couldn't you learn-couldn't there
be progressP"
"'rhere could r progress, but that
progress woulU coward hatred"
He looked at her in silence. He
took up his old hat, which had been
dropped on the floor, and turned it
round and round in his hand. He
looked down at his shoes, from which
his toes protruded. He got up with a
stagger, gazed at her moment, and
then an expression, not smile, but
an expression like that which follows
the swallowing of a bitter draught,
broke through the red stubble about
his mouth. "Mrs.-I don't know your
name," he began. "but Mrs. Some
body, you are the most merciless crea-
ture that ever lived"
"The children say I'm kind"
"You have the spirit of a vampire. !"
"The children think 1 have the spirit
of Oentleness
a hope you may die the most horri-
BILE of all deaths. l pray to God that
you may die of hydrophob bal i'm
plore God that a mad dog may bury
his teeth in your throat"
go away" she answered. "Come,
children" she cried. $50 away from
here, you monster! hate you! 1
wish-but can't think of anything
horrible enough. Now CO."
The village was the scene of fear-in-
spired ferment. A report that pow
erful mad dog had been seen in the
neighborhood had been brought in by
an excited farmer. The bravest of
men shudder at the sight of a mad
dog. Men that would fight grizzly
i Il