Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-12-03
Democratic Northwest.
AND HENRY COUNTY NEWS.
FATE, THE MOCKER.

1t was in the grounds of the casino
at Ostend. The woman sat there idly
plucking at her fan; the man leaned
over behind her, with his face near
her own.
They had met but an hour since in
surprising fashion, yet they seemed
to have but little to say to each other,
only now and again the woman spoke,
in low tones, with a little myrthless
laugh alternating with the words.
The man answered dreamily, with his
eyes wandering over the scene before
him.
You want TO know what I have
been doing during these years?' said
the woman With slight sigh. It's
easily told. After you lost sight of
me-do you remem ber?-1 met Her
rick Yeend. He was rich, and I-oh,
/ was tired of the game of chances! I
seemed never to win aprize somehow
Yeend was-very nice, and r
You married him, said the slow
voice behind her. Wise little wo.
mani
and you can say that?' she mur-
INJURED, with note of reproach in her
tones. You would scarcely have
said so at one time
The man laughed, little bitterly.
i suppose not he said. i should
probably have torn my hair and
thlrsted for the blood of the estim-
able Yeend. I've grown philosophical,
Bertha.
Which is only another name for
forgetfulncss-eh?'
There are something's | can never
forget, even if l wished to do so,' he
whispered, trying to peer into her
face.
'Ah! that sounds more like Leslie
Of old days, she said, looking round
at him gratefully. Il thought you
had begun to hate me-
You have never taught me to do
that. But tell me-you are happy in
your marriage even though you have
left certain dreams behind? | sup
pose we all drop those on our journey
through life; they are but cumber-
some luggage
You have grown philosophical! In.
Decd she replied, laughing. We'll,
: don't mind telling you-you are
such an old fr:end-that my married
life has been hideous blunder.'
Rather sweeping said the man,
sending long wreath of smoke out
into the night air, and decidedly
strong
Not bit too strong, she replied
calmly 1T was all right at first; af-
terward it developed into a night
mare, from which l have never awak-
ened.' She shuddered little and
sighed, and then went on, in lighter
tone: We'll, we won't talk about 1t.
Tell me of yourself. What have you
been doing?'
'Ch, I've been wandering the same
aimless fashion about the world, writ.
ing poems which nobody reads, paint
ing pictures which no man buys, gam
bling little, running into debt
great deal"
And you are not married?' she
ashed.
No; I'm not married, he said slow
ly, looking at her. Did you expect
that ! should be?'
She did not answer for moment;
she only looked shyly up at him, with
a flush on her face.
Poor boy! she murmured at last,
softly. 4 remember that you were
awfully fond of me-in those old
days.
Yes; l was fond Of you, replied
the man, without looking at her.
4 see that in spitesof your advice
to me you still carry some of your
dreams, she said wistfully.
Some of them, he said.
and you are still fond Of me, Les
lie?' she said.
Can you doubt itr
You poor boy, | treated you very
badly in the old days, very badly in
deed. ] wish could make it up to
you
Something in the tender, regretful
voice touched the man; he bent near
er to her.
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