Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-08-17
THR BACHELORS PROPOSAL.
lBy Frances Lee zarsI

that fact did not troubled 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.. Clif-
ton Wayne entered the room.
well, Arthur, how are you to-
day2 were his first words. Think
ing of your lsdy-love?
"Don't be fool, Clifton!' was his
polite reply, You know l hate girls
like-hke--
Softly, softly, my dear sir, inter
rupted Clifton, lsughingly, the
trouble is you haven't come across
the right one
And never will, interrupted Ar.
thur. But enough of this nonsense
/ heard to-day that your sister Clara
was about to give grand ball. Is
that SOP
OF course it is and you're to be in
vited. And, say, Arthur, Cousin
Nellie from New Orleans is coming,
too. She viii! be splendid catch for
you
There you go again, Clifton. You
know am q confirmed bachelor.
And rs for Miss Nellie-what did
you say her name Isl?
'Forsythe--Nellis Forsythe-But
good dayi have aa appointment
down town, and he hurried away.
Now Arthur Lyle had been in love,
and what he believed to be pure gold
he found to be from pyrites only,
nothing 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 progression. 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 q few weeks later to q
dashing young lawyer
This hurt his susceptible and sensl.
tive heart to think she had so de-
ceived him and he told her so the
first time he saw her after her mar
riage.
And she, with one of her innocent,
surprised looks, answered his in1ig-
nant words by saying that he had
never asked her to marry him.
i dou'. know that did, but that is
what l 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 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 q
few days when he walked out on the
piazza and, to bis amazement, saw bis
former sweetheart walking around
the grounds of a neighboring house
with q background chili-a little girl
who in many ways resembled her
mother.
Dyle 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
loveliness.
1T 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 strug'
Cling together unanimously in his
brain.
The sound Of a horse rushing mad
ly down the road and q low, startled
cry reused him suddenly from the
reverie into which he had fallen. He
looked up and saw young lady IN
great peril.
He darted forward and, seizing the
horse by the bit, stopped him.
He smiled proudly down in the
anxious, upllfted face.
What gentle woman's heart she
had, this lovely girl with soft, brown
eyes and beautiful golden hair-s
quiet little creature with charming
refined face.
Where do you wish to go2' he in
quired, respectfully,
TO Wayne villa, she replied, IN
sweet v. ice that thrilled his heart.
i found no one at the depot te
meet me, so got a horse and though
would ride over, but my horse tool
fright and 1 was thrown off, as yor
see, but if you will assist me to re-
mount l think I can reach the villa
safely
1t was a splendid night. The stars
shone beautifully, the air was soft
and balmy. Wayne villa was bril-
llantly Illuminated; Chinese lanterns
shone here and there among the
trees--in fact, it looked like a fairy
paradise; carriages drove up and de-
posted ladies and gentlemen and the
sound of music was heard from the
parlors. Miss Clara Wayne was Civ
ing ball.
When Arthur Lyle was announced