The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-07-18
A PHILOSOPHER.

ilIe, UulS Is surely bn6 WOIsV' DtCuus6 y
woman smiled on you once, or you
thought she did, in the old, dimly remem
bered time; because woman's eyes looked
tenderly into yours in the moonlight of @
quiet garden; because you were foo
enough to be beguiled by haf reluctant
promise of waiting faithfulness; because
Of all these empty and intangible things,
on the false hope of which you yet have
lived for the past few years. you come here
now, when you know the woman Is mar
ried and has probably forgotten you, or al
the best regards you merely in the light Of
a past episode. Oh, Mark Fraser, Mark
Fraseri Truly your philosophy is as
naught, and your worldly wisdom a vain
thingW
The man laughed little bitterly and
paced across the room again and stopped,
leaning his back against the door and
bending forward to contemplate the toes
Of his boots.
"You are not content" he muttered
again to himself moodily "to speed o'er
the foaming main to the possible arms OF
love and beauty-of the constant order-in
England-there to learn, as others have
learned before you, that beauty waiteth
not when eligible man proposeth. No,
you must rush out here, to this abomina-
BILE little continental town, filled with bad
smells and invalids and grinning natives,
to track down the woman who never cared
for you and her doting husband Why
you do this heaven only knowsl It's a
fitting ending to your madness, suppose,
Mark Fraser. But you'll go back tomor-
row, my boy, and cure your madness,
which has so little of method in 1t, by a
large dose Of hard work"
He crossed the room again with some.
thing of sigh and drew out his cigarette
case and lit one of the little paper things
and seated himself and stretched out his
long legs before him,
"You might have made an abject idiot
of yourself, Mark Fraser" he went on in
a lighter vein, "and spoiled your reputa-
tion for complacency. The very idea Of
coming to stay in the same hotel I sup
pose they won't look at the visitors book
Even If they do, she would say nothing
Oh, May y!-my May, as used to call you,
with an impertinent and premature at
tempt at appropriation-why did you
marry Frank OwenP You might have
chosen better specimen Of the sex. But
suppose that's jealousy, tempered by un-
requited love. / shall go away tomorrow.
wish hadn't come today"
He sat there so long alone dreaming Of
impossible things--of dear, dead hopes
that had seemed realities but little time
since-that he fell asleep at last, and
slumbered uneasily for some hours. He
was partially awakened by noise of run
ming feet, of shouts and cries, but even
then he did not move; the sounds seemed
to be but a part of half forgotten dream.
When fully awake, he rose at last and
shook himself heavily; the sounds had
ceased. There was only a dull, distant,
hoarse roar, that seemed to drown every
thing else.
Some factory near at hand, suppose
he murmured carelessly, working late"
He walked to the window and flung
aside the curtain and pushed the window
up. From other windows, comparatively
near at hand and at right angles to that at
which he stood, there came a great and
fierce glare Of light and the dull roar was
more distinct With momentary quick
ening Of his pulses, he strobe across the
by dense volume of smoke, which half
blinded him.
Pleasant" he muttered. "Hotel ON
fire, and I'm on the top floor. wonder If
they have fire escape in this benighted
placer The idiots have apparently forgot
ten my unimportant existence.
Hewa turning back into the room with
uncertain step, when he was startled by a
cry of alarm and fear.
"Hellol Some one else forgottenP Com
panionship in distress Is sweet will
cen seek it,"
He ran out Of the room and shouted:
Where are your Can you come this wayp
Put towel over your mouth and nose
most excellent thing, assure you. Hurry
upl"
A muffled voice, which seemed to sug-
gest that the other forgotten one had ap-
parently followed his advice cried some
thing In reply, and the next moment a
figure rushed into his arms, staggered with
him into the room, flung aside the towel
and leaned painting against the wall. Mark
Fraser shut the door quickly and turned
to look at the figure. Perhaps even at that
hour he was not altogether surprised to
see who 1t was. The woman--for 1t was
woman-exhibited the most emotion.
Mark, she cried breathlessly, II did
not know that you were herel''
II can assure you, my dear Miss Fal-
coner--or perhaps should say Mrs.
Owen" he retorted, with a great and
strange calmness In his tones-''that
should not have been here had been per-
sonally consulted in regard to the matter.
have been forgotten, as troublesome ba-
bies sometimes are ON these occasions. And
you" he asked.
ell was forgotten too. was dozing,
I think"
"a further bond of sympathy, he re-
marked In the same tone. "I was sleep
ing. Won't you sit DOWN.
Isis there timef' she said wildly,
glanoiDg round the room. ISIS there no.
no chance Of escapeY"
"Plenty of time, ne replied; slime for
many things. And your husband--I have
heard all about 1t, you see--is he saved
from the devouring elements2p
Yes--yes--I expect 30. /" she said slow
ly, looking at him curiously. "He was In
the salon below. He must have escaped at
the fret. He will think am killed"
"Terrible blow to him, drawled Mark,
another cigarette. Then he turned