The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-07-12

A few weeks pass. The 8 o'clock
train one afternoon comes slowly
winding around the curve into the vii
lage and stops at the station. A gen.
tleman dressed in black, with a small
gripsack in his hand, alights. He is
perhaps 80 years of age, but his fore
head is lined with furrows, indicating
that he is man of affairs. He halls
hackman and is driven to hotel, while
the curious bystanders inquire among
themselves as to his identity.
Their curiosity.was soon satisfied,
for the next morning the whole town
knew that Joe Westbrook had returned
and that he had come for the avowed
purpose of proving his claim as next
of kin to old Hi Dunstone's property,
and all were on the qui vive with in
terest to observe the great change that
rumor said had taken place in his
character and appearance.
Mr.. Westbrook met his old acquaint-
ances with cool reserve, utterly at va
rance with the vivacity and good
humor of the old, frolicsome Joe.
He responded to few of the numer-
Gus invitations that were sent him,
but called on the Heaths. Mr.. and
Mrs. Heath were agreeably surprised
at the transformation and received
him most cordially. Such successful
man as Mr.. Westbrook, they debated,
would make a fortunate match for
Julia, and they were very polite In
their efforts to please him.
Julia felt her heart sink like lead
when she took his white, transparent
hand and looked into his cold, calcu-
lating eyes.
Julia, said he, after they had been
in each others society for time and
he had outlined his past career and
future plans, "you see l have become
ambitious"
eyes," she said, 81 think you have,
but do not let it absorb your sympa-
thy for Others"
His answering smile was an enigma
that she could not unravel, and he
went away leaving her in doubt
whether Mr.. Westbrook in becoming
ambitious had not also become heart
less.
The week went by and Mr. West
brook had done a vast amount of work
helping the administrator in clearing g
up the affairs of the estate. His Ia
bors were at last nearly done and he
was about to return to the city, when,
one evening, he called at the Heaths
and took the father and mother into
his confidence. The proposition he
made met their assent and after lit
tie they summoned Julia and with
drew.
AS Julia entered Mr.. Westbrook ros'
and greeted her.
Julia" said he, 81 wish to recall al
interview we had some years ago, il
which you said that if l ever succeed
ed in winning your love it would b.
when became ambitious and mad'
something of myself. l have fultilleE
the conditions-can l now redeem th
pledge?"
"Mr. Westbrook, answered Julia
"you waited so long before asking TO
the redemption that l cannot but be
lieye that your early love has lon
since perished The casual death of
relative and business necessity calle
YOU here, not affection for me. Is
not SOP"
"You are partly right" he answered
! "with ambition came business care
and perplexitles and the memory
the past was dimmed in the glare:
everyday activity, but the relaxatlo
of few days recalls the fact that
loved YOU once and doubtless flu
) ther intimacy would revive love
SELF
The formality of the words and tt
tone in which they were uttered seen
ed 80 frigidly different from wh'
would seem to be the proper mamie
tation of the tender passion that Jul
almost shrank from him, and yet
was he, the same Joe Westbrook' #
whom she had waited so many year
Could she learn to love him, me
calculating. soulless automaton? Ht
she not herself been responsible
the change, and did not duty now d
mand that she fulfill her partP The