The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-01-04

At home he found an invitation
which had come during his absence,
from June, for the following evening.
"An entertainment for her FRIEND" he
said, irritated still more. "But what
matterP l may as well see the farce
out now!'
"Well, st. Elton, did not think you
would allow yourself to be out-gener-
aled like this" one of the guests said
in that gentleman's ear, as he was
slowly making his way into the crowd
ed rooms.
"HowP" st. Elton asked.
"We thought you the favored one,
till up comes a captain, or a colonel,
or something, with straps on his
shoulders, and you are slipped as well
as the rest of us.
st. Elton did not reply. He was
looking at June. She stood beside
Col. Brett, and though addressing her
conversation to others about her, one
could see at glance she was far from
| being Indifferent to the man beside
her. Her delicate Difference to his
opinions. the tones of her voice in ad-
dressing him, the glance of her eyes,
| st. Elton thought, all seemed to say
she had right to his devotion, and
more, that he had also right to hers.
Both men looked at each other with
wary eyes when they were presented,
and st. Elton's face betrayed more
than he had intended it should. Col.
Brett turned to June and said some
thing in an undertone, as st. Elton
moved away. She shook her head in
reply, and the gay talking went on as
before.
Half an hour later st. Elton passed
them in the conservatory. The angry
look he gave the colonel was not un-
noticed by June.
81 believe st. Elton is SICK" she
I said. "He acted strangely last night,
and just now he looked pale,I thought.
am going after him."
"Did l not tell you that he was jeal-
ousP Do 60 and hunt him, for am
afraid of my life now," Col. Brett an
swered, laughing, as June disap-
peared.
She touched st. Elton's arm as he
was standing in the door leading out
into the grounds.
Something is the matter with you"
He turned upon her sharply.
"You can not cure me, if there is"
al know l am not physician" she
answered, smiling; "but stroll in the
air will be good for you, am sure. l
am going to get some one to accom-
pany you" She turned about to bring
some one.
"Come yourself for five minutes"
Certainly, shall be delighted to
please you" She took his arm and
they stepped out under the stars.
When they were away from the
sound of voices St. Elton stopped ab-
ruptly.
Il hate you. June,' he said, in low,
fierce tone.
She drew her arms from his as
though she were touching poison.
what did you sayp"
He could see her eyes flame in the
moonlight.
"I said that / hated you."
"That is as you please, Mr.. St. FL
ton."
"And / should kill the man who
dared to look into your eyes, as Col.
Brett has tonight, and receive such a
return"
"St. Elton, what do you meanP"
Before she had finished speaking he
had caught her face to his.
Il mean that loved you once, if I
hate you now; and that will have
you, too, in spite of that cursed col
onel."
He covered her lips with burning
kisses.
Quick as a flash she had snatched
herself away, and stood erect before
| him.
"I demand an apology this instant, +"
she said, angrily.
He went down upon his knees before
her.
81 ask your pardon most humbly.
But I have loved you too long, June,
not to touch your lips once. Forgive
me-"
He turned away. as if to go.
June caught his arm. St. Elton felt
the quiver of her hand as she touched
him.
"Come back, St. Elton"
The clutch he had given her was
like the grasp of wise.
"To youP"
"Yes." She covered her face.
"TrulyP 1t would not do to trif1e
with me nowi"
"Truly."
Col. Brett laughed heartily when he
knew that what he had said was true,
and often tells June that if he had not
stepped upon the stage when he did,
st. Elton would never have proposed,
and therefore she would never have
been Mrs. Elton st. Elton.-M Y
| ,T0aL7.110I