Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-05-21
CHAPTER XIV.
AN INTERRUPTED WEDDING.

in the south his spies in New York dis
covered little or nothing against tn
persons whom they had been charged t
watch. Indeed from the standpoint of
detective the actions Of all had bee
most uninteresting. The usual round O
social affairs, the customary number o
theater or opera parties, the regular aft
ernoon teas-in fact, the ordinary routin
life of the man or woman of fashion
was all that could be observed. Yet o
course these weeks did not pass withou
any occurrence of note. The chief ON
perhaps was the naming of the da,
upon which the wedding of Mr.. Mitche
and Miss Remsen was to occur. Thi
was May 5, the very day upon whicl
Mr.. Barnes would reach New York will
Mr.. Neuilly.
Thus fate seemed hurrying ON a eli
max which was to occur ON the wedding
day. In New Orleans detective wat
seeking evidence upon which he hoped
to convict man of the heinous crime Of
murder, while in New York beautiful
woman was bestowing her faith upon
tbs same man, and, with the assistance
of many fingers, preparing to bedeck
herself in bridal finery for his delecta-
tion. Meanwhile the man himself acted
most unooncernedly. He seemed to con-
slider himself beyond the risk of danger,
and he accepted his happiness as does
one who had honorably earned it.
Of much interest to us, in the light
Of fast approaching events, was the Gu
rious conduct of Dora Remsen during
this period. It will be remembered that
Mr.. Randolph had lost an opportunity
of declaring himself, and that he warm
ed the young lady against Mr.. Thauret
as one not to be trusted. This kind of
advice, it is to be presumed, is offered
by the one giving it, with some idea,
however distant, that it may bo accept
ed. Yet the histories Of many lives
would show that only small percent
age of similar advice has ever been re-
ceived with acquiescence Indeed, it
might also be said that many persons
have been hurried into each others
arms by the interference of wiseacres,
when perhaps, if left to themselves,
they would have drifted apart. At least
go it seemed in this case.
Mr.. Thauret had become not only a
constant visitor at the house of the
Remsens, but he seemed q welcome
one. He certainly was most entertain
ing man, and his manners utterly unap-
proachable. He had travelled, and not
only had seen the world, but had OBJ
served it, which is another thing The
result of this was that he had a fund of
narrative always at his disposal, and his
conversation was SO attractive that he
easily monopolized the attention Of
coterie at any social gathering. Mr..
Randolph noted with growing uneasi-
ness that Dora was always one of the
group who listened to these tales. What
disturbed him most was that after the
greatest amount Of time spent and vast
ed in seeking some fagrant defect in
the mans character he was at last COM
PEELED to acknowledge to himself that
he had nothing against Mr.. Thauret
except prejudice. But that prejudice
was as great if not greater than ever.
He determined at length to speak to Mr..
Mitchell about it, and did so one after
noon when the rooms were crowded,
bis rival being as usual the center of an
attentive group.
"Mitchel, "he began, "'how the deuce
did that fellow Thauret get into this
family?"
Dora met him somewhere, I believe.
Why?"
"Why? Can you ask that?"
"Can I? Why, certa @y I can. did
ask you Whyi"
II declare, Mitchell, you are either as
blind as bat Or else you have eyes on
ly for Miss Emily. Don't you see the
danger that the younger sister is in, as
sociating with that man?'
"Well. now, Randolph, to be candid,
] must admit do not see the danger.
What is it?''
why, uppose--suppose she fell in
love with him? Suppose she married
him -
"Well, what them"
"What then? You would provoke
saint. You talk as coolly about that
child's throwing herself away ON IA
nobody--as though we We're discussing
a shot at billiards.
Randolph, my friend, let me give
you bit Of advice. When q man wish
es to marry girl, there are two i'm
portant rules which he must observe,
and both of them I believe you have
neglected.
"What do you mean?"
Before explain let me ask you a
question. Am I right in supposing that
you wish to marry Dora yourself?"
"Well, that is rather pointed. How
ever, I will admit the truth, would
be happy to have her love" "
Every well, Twill tell you those two
rules The first is, Never speak i'll of
your rival The second is. Don't be
too late asking for the young lady,"
Randolph looked at Mr.. Mitchell
moment intently, then offered his hand,
which was grasped warmly. He said
simply, II thank you," and walked
over to the group where Dora was. Aft
er awhile, taking advantage Of an op-
perfume lull, he leaned over her and said
in an undertone:
"May have few words of CONVEX
sation with you?"
She looked up at him, evidently sur
prised at his tone, and asked:
SIS it important?"
VERY" he replied succinctly, and
excusing herself to the company she
permitted him to lead her into the next
room, where she sat beside him Oh the
sofa, to which he invited her with a
motion. After brief silence, during
which each thought intently, he began:
miss Dora, I wish you to listen to
me, il you please, to the end. think
You know that I love you." He paused
lust a moment. while she trembled