The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1894-12-19
A STRANGE ROMANCE.

She was full of business, this little
girl, as with half closed eyes she stood
on the curb opposite the post office, a
stamp poised on her tongue, which she
was about to affix to the envelope she
held in her hand.
But as she deliberately nipped it be-
tween finger and thumb by one corner,
at the same time tightly shutting both
eyes Gas though such performance in
some mysterious way facilitated the
operation), a lady came along, accom-
panied by huge dog, which audacious-
" waved its thick, bushy tail right
athwart the little maids face, causing
her to jump backward into the gutter
with suppressed scream.
Her alarm was Immediately increased
to terror at missing the stamp, which
she next observed floating away at
tached to the majestic caudal append
age.
She feebly started in pursuit. but as
she neared the formidable animal the
object of her quest became transferred
to the lady's jacket, and before she
could reach her side it had dropped on
the pavement, whence it was instantly
carried away on the sole of the boot of
a passer-by.
After long, hopeless stare the little
one slowly turned round, nervously
fumbling envelope and, retracing her
steps till she regained the corner of a
side street, she sat down on a doorstep
and indulged in a good cry.
Her wailings speedily attracted a
small group Of people about her, to
whom, after some persuasion, she sobbed
out her misfortune, which was fatty
discredited by the majority, and those
who apparently believed her only
manifested their sympathy in empty
words.
After some time, however, philan-
thropic old gentleman passed, who, on
learning the source of the child's grief,
promptly bestowed a couple OF pennies
upon her, with which she flew to the
post Office, purchased another stamp,
and, keeping a sharp lookout against
the intrusion of any more tilibustering
tails securely fixed it to the envelope,
which she carefully covered with both
hands till she dropped it into the box.
II was now safe and she visibly
frightened; alas! happily unconscious
that she had lost post and thereby be.
come the involuntary agent of woe and
desolation to two fond hearts.
"You are sure there is nothing fol
meP" said young Cyril Stanley for the
third time, as with pale face and agitat
| ed frame he breathlessly interrogated
| the rural letter-carrier the next morn
ing.
"Quite certain, sir; you can lool
them over if you like" returned Hel
Majesty's servant genially, extending
| his bundle.
mo, thanks" he rejoined, brusquely
and turning on his heel, with clencheC
| hands and wild look in his eyes, ht
started off at a fast pace through the
fields, crossing stiles, fioundering into
bitches, and stepping right through The
roaring waters of a shallow brook il
the most aimless and .haphazard sort o
way.
"And this is my reward!" he muttereC
brokenly. "She does not love me aftel
all. No; penniless suitor is seldom
acceptable hal" and he laughed
bitterly, recklessly.
An hour later he sneaked through tn
side door of stately mansion standing
in it's own grounds, and, after chang
ing his saturated boots and mudd,
clothes, proceeded to the library to b
in attendance on a red-faced, choleric
looking old gentleman, who was busil..
writing letters.
"Oh, here YOU are at last, scapegracei
calculated the latter in furious tone a
the young gentleman entered. "Wher
have you beenP Always away when
want you. Now, then"
The young fellow meekly seated him
self at the table without answerin Q
and began writing from the other
dictation.
Have you made up your mindF
fercely interposed the old gentleman i
the midst of an important letter.
"Yes, uncle"
Late in the afternoon the famil
carriage conveyed both gentlemen int
the town, where prodigious quantit
of luggage had preceded them.
Stopping in the main street, the eide
of the two alighted, and motioning h
companion to remain. darted up nal
row court He was not long away
and as he reseated himself he grufh
asked:
D0~yOu know WnaI I've Deen u'
ingp"
mo, uncle" answered the young ma
in a subdued tone.
deposited my will with my Solicito
L have made you my heir. But if yc
had thwarted me and remained benin
I'd have cut you off with a shilling, b
-" And he grew purple in the fa'
from suppressed rage.
They soon reached the railway station
where they took 6rst-class tickets fC
London and left by the evening expire
a few minutes later.
"Ah, dear fellow! to sacrifice so muc
for me-" murmured Miss Birch the san
evening, and she braided her silky ha
in front of the oval mirror on her dres
ing table, her eyes riveted on an opt