The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-11-07
IN HIS OWN COIN.

Archy Galbraith sat in his office
docketing his last file of papers. 1t had
been persistently wet day, and through
the muddy streets miserable people, in
numbered with umbrellas and overcoats,
plodded along in a kind of hopeless
resignation.
Il wish Mark Elliott would come, he
thought, as he arranged his desk for
the mornings work: II wish Mark
would come" And with the wish Mark
entered.
One glance into Marks face, however,
told Archy that, in some way or other,
there was to be change in the even
ing's programme.
"You have got new sensation I see,"
he said. "What is it?"
mo, really; have received orders to
dine at home, that is all. Aunt Mar
garet has company, and wants me to be
entertaining; some young lady from
Maryland that she has been expecting,
and in whom she takes a great interest.
The girl is pretty and rich, and | dare
say | shall be in some danger"
why am I not invited, too, I Won
der?"
"The ways of women are past finding
l think you ought to be more grateful
for the breach than for the observance
You know what a dinner in Twenty
eighth street is-a regular woman's din
ner, without even the consolation of a
smoke"
"Pshaw! You know you like f1irta-
ton better than dinner, Mark. Call
in the morning and report, will you?"
With nod ofacquiescence and adieu,
Mark was gone.
After all his indifference was very
much assumed; for the young lady from
Maryland had long been an infinite
source of annoyance to him. He knew
that he was expected to fall in love
with her, and he knew, better still, that
he had already anticipated that expec-
tation in a different direction. All the
way up Broadway he was thinking of
pair of brown eyes, which had long
held him secret captive, and vowing
that nothing nor anybody should make
him false to the promise already given.
His spirits rose as he neared home,
and when his aunt spoke to him of
Mary and of her love of her, he asked:
els she pretty, aunt?"
always mans first question about
a woman. Well, can not tell you.
only saw her moment or two as she
came in"
There was no time to say more. A
servant opened the door and quietly an
nounced Miss Peyton."
For moment she stood at the open
door. her dusky beauty and star-like
eyes enhanced by every device of dress
and ornament. It was no wonder that
Mark at once succumbed to her spell.
who ever loved, that loved not at first
sightr'
And Mark no sooner looked than he
loved. He passed very restless night
and came down to the breakfast table
in what his aunt called 'touch-me-not"
temper.
Afterwards he went at once to Archy's
Office. For few minutes the young
men sat and smoked without conversa-
ton. Archy, with characteristic eau
ton, waiting for Mark to introduce the
subject which he knew he had come to
discuss. AS usual. the weather was the
opening wedge, Mark declared it to be
suicidal.
Il behaved shamefully this morning
at breakfast and it was all the fault Of
q
forswear his country!"
"Nonsensew replied Archy. "rve
been under those eternal skies of blue, ;
and little of the grey is quite the thing,
in my opinion. Will not this young
lady at home make little independent
sunshine for youP"
81 am afraid of that sort of sunshine;
it is dangerous"
''Not to you, who are acclimated.
But describe it to me-"
81 can't do it, Archy. She is just so
bright that she dazzles you. Last night
it was soft grey, silvery light, min gled
with heavenly blue. This morning it
was rosy. bright and sparkling. I can't
analyze."
II hope, Mark, you are not in love
with this young lady"
"Why SOP"
Because it won't do. There is little
Flora Kelvin; it would break her heart
if you should desert her now"
There is no engagement between
u.s."
'But there ought to be-"
"Of course I shall do nothing wrong
to Flora. You are not sympathetic this
morning, Archy, so am going"
All through the long day Mark
fretted and wearied over his accustomed
work, but "time and the hour run
through the longest day and 6 O'Clock