The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-12-26
n consult with his client, met the

uTSt SAauCel oAN
he neglected his other suits to attend
to this one to such q degree that it
hurt his practice, and in the end ne
met the same fate at the charmer's
hands as had poor Danby-with a diff.
ference. Miss Olga told him that if
he remained Of tho same mind until
the following year, he might propose
again, and she ''might" then consider
the matter. Meanwhile, if Mrs. Hor-
ton did not object, he might write to
her at school but she would not an
swer his letters.
Poor Fielding was utterly cast
down, not even permission to write
affording him any hope, and all thnt
kept him from suicide was on earnest
request from Horton neither to make
au ass Of himself nor to die on tho
premises after which that severe guar
dian lectured his ward quite harshly
for her hirtatip',' ways, especially
when her arr we're practiccd upon his
own personal friends.
But I don't mean to, Jack; really !
don't. What makes them act so: I
can't help it, sobbed the culprit.
eyes, you cam" said her mentor,
severely, adding, mentally, "but they
can't
BE looked out of the window mo.
ment, then turned to her and, in a
strained voice, said:
"'Papoose. I think it best you and
mother ehonld curtail your visit and
so back to Ohio as soon Us You can
pack up. I'll speak to mother about
it tonight, aaa-well, I'll see you at
Christmas, anyway"
There was quiet sob from the sofa
which gave Horton suicidal feelings,
and in another moment he would have
gone to comfort the weeper, but just
then no heard his mothers step on the
walk, and when she entered, Olga had
fled to the privacy OF her room.
Two days later there was au aching
void inSilver City social circles, caused
by tho exodus OF Mrs. Horton and her
ward. Many there were who won
dered at their early departure, but
nobody asked any question. John
Horton was vastly npproachable up to
q certain limit. This limit was arrived
at when curiosity's interrogations in.
volved his ward or his business.
Over q year later, Horton wrote his
ward q letter somewhat to the follow
ing effect:
There has been enough OF this sort OF
thing. Isupposa you do your flirting now
with the callow sophomores ana the hitherto
sedate and disntnod professors, for want CT
better material. Now. Olga, this must stop.
Here is jim FieldjnSi ono Of the best,
brightest. brainiest fellows in the world,
going TO The dogs ca your account.
l want you to be serious eud think things
over, and when you come down here this
time. do give Jim Il chance.
Olga came, on schedule time, along
with Mrs. Horton, and it was very
shortly after her arrival-pot moro
than two days-that Fielding again
declared himself.
But it was different Olga to whom
he spoke this tune 1t WIS " girl with
the same old ways, the same odd
fancies, but yet 4 girl who could uu-
derstand end appreciate his feelings,
and pity him with her whole hear;
without making her pity obnoxious.
She had known, she said, chat this
was coming, and had dreaded yet
hoped for this talk on Che gallery; but
she did NOT tell him OF her stormy in
terview with john Horton that alter
noon, when that ogre had told her she
must accord Fielding q hearing, Or
or-there would be indefinite trouble.
'Wlll you shake hands with me, Mr..
Fielding?" the girl asked TREMENDOUSLY,
when she had finished telling him how
she had long thought it over and found
she could not love him. 81 suppose
it's useless to say I'm sorry, although
/ hope you know I an, So"
Il know you arc, Miss Horton. I
believe in your sympathy and your
kindness of heart rs thoroughly az I
believe in human existence. And
believe III myself enough" he went
on, more firmly, ito think that /
might be the successful one were it
not for another-some one. Good
night. God bless you BOTH
They shook hands as two ordinary
acquaintances might have done. and
Olga disappeared through the hall and
up the stairs.
That very day Horton had made
himself practically certain that the
future OF his giiiy ward w:s assured
that, true to his behests and the
promptings OF conscience he had
done everything to mako worldly,
Oign would engage herself to Jim
Fielding. Then, after all his guests
had gone to bed, and he was left alone
in his library, this great, big ex-
soldier, thinking it was oil over, and
that he was iorsaken, leaned his head
on the table and cried like a baby.
He was baby, too. For presently