The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-05-12

congratulations, OF the many years ses
I should take the fatal plunge.
But my congratulations vanished
when awoke, one morning, with the
leaden consciousness that I had given,
the night before, a favorable answer to
win Maynards wooing. / did not
mean to say Yes" did not care for
him when he was away from me; but
he was so earnest, so determined,
scarcely knew had consented until
felt his lips press mine and he had
slipped a glittering stone upon my
finger. 1t was there, as awakened,
so that knew it was no dream. All
day l caught its sparkle; all day IL
served as witness to my mad folly.
But when, that night l entered Mrs.
Somers' drawing-roons, leaning on his
arm, he looking down on mo with a
sort Of possession-look, 1 fancy,
caught Clarence Withers' eye, full of
scorn and full of anger l think mine
flashed back equal contempt l am sure
felt it. Had he not first set me the
example? was only following in his
footsteps, carrying out his pct theory,
that the man always should precede
the woman and she bend to his lordly
will.
At last the summer came. What a
long, long winter it had been, and how
glad was to see once more the birds
and flowers, 1 thought as 1 wandered
one lovely morning in June away from
the gay party who were spending the
day among the woods and trees, revel-
| ing in q picnic of the good, old-fash-
ioned sort hate picnics and always
did, and I was glad to have escaped
them all. So wandered on, STOPPING
now and then to pluck wild flower or
an exquisite fern, until, on the verge Of
a steep rock, my eye caught bunch of
loveliest anemones. l sprang forward,
eager to grasp it-too eager, alas!- for
my foot tripped and l fell forward
upon the sharp stone, cutting an ugly
cash in my forehead. think it stunned
me for the moment. must have faint
ed; but, surely, ere opened my eyes, 1
caught the sound Of breathless tones
exclaiming: my God, my darling!"
and felt hot kisses rain on cheek and
lip.
Slowly Enclosed the sealed lids and
gazed into the pallid face of Clarence
Withers My strength came back with
my pride and. drawing myself away,
said:
"Do not be alarmed, Mr. Withers, it
is all right now. Did you imagine you
held Miss Brooks? Allow me to re-
lieve you"
mo, Miss Brooks is fortunately in a
place of safety. I AM glad to see your
accident was so trivial. Good morning."
And so he left me. Were those cold,
Indifferent tones the warm, loving
ones l had listened to but moment
before? No l had been dreaming;
and, staunching the blood with my
handkerchief which still flowed freely,
l walked on, and soon stumbled upon
Mr.. Maynard. fastening to find me.
Oh, how his words of pity and dis
tress grated on my ear. 1 answered
him petulantly, and begged to be taken
home. My head ached. He ordered
the carriage at once. l would not al
low him to accompany me and, with
anxious solicitation, he tenderly bade
me good-by, closed the door upon me,
and was again alone.
All night l lay and tossed upon my
bed and morning found me feverish
and restless, but with new, undaunt-
ed resolution, that ere l slept again l
should have returned VIII Maynard's
ring, and asked him to give me back
my plightcd troth.
Yet the words came with hard
struggle, and the tell-tale blood GRIM
soned my cheek and brow as l stood be-
fore him and acknowledged l could not
marry him.
"Do you not love me, Alice?" he
said.
mo, Mr.. Maynard. You have been
very good, very kind, but cannot love
YOU
why, then. did you consent 70 be
my wife?"
His tones were calm now, with the
calmness which precedes the mountain
storm, when all nature is hushed, and
not leatlct stirs, not even blade of
grass trembles, until with mighty
roar heaven discharges its artillery, and
the hills quake.
"Oh, do not ask me. do not know.
cannot tell YOU"
"Do you mean that these few months
have been farce in which you and 1
were the chief actors? Who amongst
your friends have been the audience to
watch this poor puppet-show, in which
| your experienced hands have pulled the
strings? Do not look indignant. You
have no right to indignation. Have
you never loved me?"
Never Mr.. Maynard, Is l should
have loved you. You came to me at a
time when my heart was hungry. Your
words fascinated me, and hoped and
believed would find the happiness l
sought. Oh, forgive me! know how
wrong ! have been. Indeed, you can
not be more sorry than am l, for you
have not the added sting of remorse.
Think of me as you will, but forgive
the pain have caused you and try to
forget me-"
But no forgiving glance answered
my appeal. Pitilessly and coldly the
man spoke, in cutting tones:
81 said we were the chief actors.
Doubtless there has been power be-
hind the scenes. Perhaps Mr.. Withers
has regaincd ascendancy over your
heart Heart, did / say? Excuse me
Miss Ellis. ! did not mean to do you
| cu.h in inc IN rnantipn what uov