The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-11-07
came, although Mark thought it never

| 6uaG evening, DuG instead ne sent nur-
| ried apology. And this was only the
beginning of such selfish indulgence
Flora received more and more apologies
and fewer calls, until even the apologies
ceased to be necessary. Mark did. not
ask himself whether Mary loved him; he
did not dare to think of his unmanly
treatment of the dear little girl who had
been so precious to him. He was alb
sorbed in the delicious present, and
blind to all future consequences.
One night, coming home from busi-
ness little later than usual, he met
Mary coming downstairs. She was
dressed for an entertainment. Her
neck and arms were uncovered, and
were beautifully white, yet having Just
enough rose tint to suggest that perfect
health which is the crown of beauty.
As she passed she put out her hand
with a smile, and then all his stormy,
passionate love found a momentary
voice.
"Mary! Mary!" he calculated and
put out his hand to detain her. But in
her coolest tone and stepping slightly
backward, she answered:
what did you say, sirP"
II said nothing, Miss Peyton. Ny
heart spoke to you. I was foolish
enough to imagine you would hear it."
Then turning fiercely round, he shut
himself in his own room.
The next morning he was so disturbed
that he determined to go and talk the
whole affair over with Archy, and if his
advice was practicable-that is, agree
able-to take it. He was amazed when
Archy said:
"Flora Kelvin is engaged to hand
some young cavalry officer! he was
quite splendid in his uniform, I assure
you. l understood it was an old at
tachment. She is not to be married
until next month, as Captain Home is
obliged to return to duty at present"
"Ah! I'm glad of that. 1 shall 90 10
see Flora tonight and tell the little lady
what | Chink of her."
Then he opened his heart about his
other trouble, and Archy listened very
patiently while he described the scene
of the previous night. He could offer
him no consolation, however, except the
assurance of Shakespeare, that "a wom-
an often scorns what best contents her,"
1t would certainly have been both the
wisest and the kindest course for Mark
to have been grateful for the oblivion
granted by the Kelvins, and quietly ac-
cept the same; but this was utterly re-
pugnant to the young mans feelings
and pride. To be dropped without re-
gret and without reproach wounded
both his self-esteem and his affection.
He felt nearer in love with Flora than
he had been for many weeks. and a
sense of wrong and injustice, which un-
der the circumstances was ridiculous,
haunted him, blending irresistibly with
the miserable hope that Flora was as
unhappy as himself. That night found
him waiting again in the little drawing
room where he had so often waited for
her. But she was longer in coming this
time, and when she did come, it was hard
to believe that it was the same Flora.
The little timid, shrinking girl who had
been wont to nestle to his side, met him
tonight with sang froid and a polite
Indifference infinitely more CALLING than
reproach.
At length little clock on the mantel
chimed the well-known hour for tea,
and Flora, in a tone which perfectly
ignored the past, asked him to come
into the parlor and take cup. AS she
made the request she moved toward the
door. But Mark reached it first, and
standing so as to intercept her exit,
said:
"Look up at me once more, Flora,
and let us speak honestly together.
You know you love me, and yet you
are going to marry that Captain
Home"
"I do not love you, Mr.. Elliott" she
replied, raising her large dark eyes
and looking him steadily in the face.
Since when have you ceased to do
so, FloraP"
"Since I ceased to know you worthy
of my love. If you will be rude and
compel me to speak, it is best for you
then to hear the truth. did love you;
but do not love you now. If you taught
me how to love, you taught me, too, to
despise you; to find my idol clay was a
miserable lesson"
"You soon found a new IDOL" said
! Mark, with sneer on his face.
"Mr. Elliott might have spared the
sneer. Satan rebuking sin is not very
consistent spectacle"
"And are we to part thus, Flora?"
"We ought never to meet again. Why
did you Gomez will tell you why"
she said, her eyes blazing with sup
| pressed anger. 'You came hoping that
you would be able to make me suffer a
miserable regret, to insult me with
apologies which are in themselves in
suits. Do you not understand, sir, that
there are wrongs woman never has a
memory tender enough to forgive?
Allow me to pass"
He had no right, he had no power to
stay her. To him she must be hence
forth only memory and name. He
hardly knew yet whether he was glad
or sorry. He felt only blind and
stunned and angry. He found his way
to the hall door and let himself out. AS
he did so he remembered how often
Flora had stood there with him, loath to
say good night" He put this and a
host of such memories away with a
resolute will.
When he reached home there was a
sound of mirth and music strangely at
variance with his feelings. Mary was
in one of her most radiant moods, and
seemed to have quite forgotten the little
disagreement of yesterday. She asked
him to sing with her, confded to him
her private opinions of the company
present, and, in short, took him into
the most fattering degree of intimacy.
For the next two or three weeks all
went prosperously. Aunt Margaret was
happy with hope. Marks hope was al
most confidence. Mary was bewitching-
ly coy and tender, and over the whole
house was happy expectancy which
almost intoxicated the happy lover.
Day after day Mark had resolved to put
his fate to the touch.
A nigh or two before Flora's marriage