The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-05-12
ALICE'S MISTAKE.
Her Hasty Words That Caused
Months Of Misery.

Her Hasty Words That Caused
Months Of Misery.
had thought loved him, had been
very happy as his affianced bride, and
whispered with strange pride his
name, remembering that some day il
would be my own as we'll. But mine
was not the nature to work control. II
was rather an early date, thought,
when an engagement was SO new q
thing, not quite three months old, to
be called to account for my actions.
And what had l done wrong? My
betrothed, Clarence Withers, had been
absent for week, and during his alb
sence Will Maynard had been my
escort wherever l had chanced to go.
would not have my engagement an
nounced, although it was currently
suspected; there were many kind friends
to whisper the fact of my so-called
Irritation to Clarence upon his re-
turn. And so my first meeting was
not, alas, what had painted it to my
self. When went forward to meet
aim; glad. oh, so glad, to see him home
again, and ready to tell him so, if he
needed telling other than the story he
could read in my eyes and outstretched
hands of welcome, he only took my
hands in his and held me off rather
than drew me to his heart, where my
head had so often lain, and said, in
cold, strange tones, so unlike the low
ing words of welcome l was waiting
for:
Alice, what is this / hear about my
wife?"
Your wife, Mr. Withers? During
which of my sleeping moments have L
been dignitied to that title, or you
aspired to the authority of Il husband?"
TO me, Alice, a promise made is u
promise kept, and from the day you
gave yourself to me have looked upon
you as my wife as solcmnly as though
priest had already blessed our union.
You know full well my opinion of Mr..
Maynard. He is a man l would not
permit to cross my thresholds; yet dur
ing my short absence he has been con-
stantly and publicly by your side. In
fact, has shown you attentions you had
no right to receive
Mr.. Maynard is particular friend
of NINE" exclaimed. with flashing
eyes, slipping my hands from his clasp,
''and permit me to say will no longer
listen to this harangue. No right to re-
ceive ordinary courteous attentions from
gentleman! You strangely forget the
fact that you call yourself such when
you dare address me thus. Good morn
ing, Mr. Withers.'
stay, Alice! Ii ] spoke quickly, for
give me. But it was so hard to hear
all this Just as | arrived home, hungry
for your welcome. You know, dear,
there were SO many aspirants for this
little hand l sometimes can scarce be.
lieve in my own rare fortune. Are you
not glad to see me, Alicc?"
"Glad? No. When l was glad you
sent all my happiness back into my
own heart, and made your first words
words of reproach and blame. / have
done nothing to deserve either, and
would do the same again"
Not if you knew it gave me pain"
Yes; because you have no right to
feel pain. lfyou have no trust in me-
let US part.
ut is not "a question of trust, my
Alice. But come, be my own sweet
girl again and promise me to announce
our engagement, and thus put a stoI
to Mr.. Maynard's useless devotion
mo. Mr. Withers. l have seer
enough to know that with such n ma
turc as ] have this morning learned
yours to be never could be happy.
will return you your letters and you
gifts, and You will send inc my letters
and picture. Hereafter we meet sim
ply as friends"
And so we parted. He grew yer,
pale when l said it was all over--whit'
to the lips with anger. suppose. Wha
u fierdisi temper he must possess, aDt
what an incorrigible tyrant of hus
band lIn would have made! Well, it il
all over now. thought ] am yer.
glad although I wished tie strang
pain would go away froru my heart
and could not think what had cause'
it.
Il was two weeks since Clarenc
Withers and had met and parted, an,
did not see him until the night o
Mrs. Struther's party lie was loollin,
Oh, SO handsome-cyidently not pinin;
in secret, for, as usual, he was the lif
of tic party, and devoted himself to tina
pretty Irene Brooks, Well, did no
wear Inc willow either for that matter
Mr.. Maynard was very devoted, an,
my old friends rallied to my standar,
in ali their force. lie asked me once L
dance with him-a square dance-but
declined. and he looked indifferentl
relieved; and once when ] was laugh
ing and talking with Mr.. Maynard,
f.li his eye was on me, and threw add
tion..l cmpressenent into the nothing
~as saying. Yet was tired an
bored. Why was IL Mr.. Maynard's sc
cicty had ceased to attract me?
Bpt yet 1t seemed SO strange to NEE
everywhere; to exchange smile of ic
coldncss and courteous bow Of fol
nal greeting and feel that all was owe,
don't think quite realized it mt
the day Mr.. Maynard told me his er
gagencnt TO Irene Brooks was a pos
tive fact. l did not think he coul
A hive quite forgotten in three shoi
months. He always admired her
knew. and Az she IS meek and amiabls
She is Just suited To such bear. Fo
mi part | iuie inarried men and MAJ
Fec lie. snd thought. -~.h inwar