Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-09-15
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s The Mem He CANE HOME :


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Unconscious of the picture she made.
she stood in the doorway of little re-
ception room that led into the drawing
room, her eyes fixed thoughtfully on q
mans face in the crowded room beyond.
Melane had been watching her for some
time. In the past two years he had heard
much of her social triumphs and charms.
"Give me a welcome home" he plead
ed, crossing the room to where she stood.
"Of course will" She lifted her eyes
to his. They were very beautiful eyes. A
fresh, unsullied nobility of character
shone in them. 1T is surprise to see
you tonight ! thought you were on the
other side"
$50 it seems the home folk think" he
answered ruefully. I've had a beastly
cold welcome. Got home an hour ago to
find every soul gone. The lights and the
music were so CHEEKY over here | ventur-
ed without an invite and in this garb, "
looking down at his travelling suit; "but
Mrs. Brown is an old friend"
II see," the girl laughed; your mother
doesn't expect you home until next
week"
"You were perfectly oblivious to the
fact that l have been watching you for
ten minutes and wondering why you were
alone and SO quiet
81 was indulging in q little intrOspec-
ton. I'm hardly responsible" with a
shrug of the fair shoulders. Its fault
of the age-this picking to pieces of emo
tions. laying ones heart on a dissecting
table and analyzing the why and the
wherefore of each beat"
And was the tall young fellow in
there" glancing toward the drawing
room. responsible for it all?"
She laughed outright. Isn't it deli
cious TO have you for my mentor again ?
l might as well confess. All winter he
has paid me marked attention. Flowers,
candies and all the rest, you know, and
have liked him. Two weeks ago the
tall, dark girl in there with him came
here to visit Lena Wells, and I have
been eoolly dropped. I was trying to
find out if | cared, or if it was only
wounded pride"
''Why don't you be perfectly indiffer
ent to him and flirt with some one else?
I'm dying for a Irritation now. / have
not made love to girl since / left the
DARK EYED SenorltaS.
If it would make you feel more at
home you may make love to me-" she
said with sweet graciousness.
He drew her into a little curtained cozy
corner beyond the door.
Now, brace yourself. I'm going to
begin"
'Once upon a time. there was little
lover who brought his sweetheart the
biggest plums and ripest peaches and al
ways carried home her books and slate.
Did you ever hear of him, Caro? He
leaned toward her.
But she was turning the rings on her
slim fingers. the faintest suggestion Of a
smile at the corners of her lips.
'One day in class he missed word,
not that 1t was unusual, and she refused
to go above, because she lisped, 1 love
you. Then he gave her a pansy, with
some boyish words Of affection, and she
flushed and asked, Am l your little
heartseaser Caro-, don't you remem-
ber?''
Il don't remember to have given you
any right to ask such questions"
'But you remember" he persisted.
She laughed softly. "How they hated
me, those other little girls. They called
me mean, stuckup, snubnosed thing"
A little gleam OF triumph shone in his
eyes. She remembered.
Then the mountain party years after
ward. You were 16. I was leading
your horse, the saddle turneda and you
fell right into my arms, Caro-, and
kissed you."
The long lashes had curtained her
eyes.
Have you forgotten?' he whispered.
However did you make such love to
the senoritas?' she asked demurely
you had no "reminiscences and youthful
foilies in common"
Don't interrupt, please. l promised
to do it all. Then the night left I can
feel your little fingers soft and warm in
mine yet and see the wistfulness in your
eyes. You cared then. You don't deny it.
Your trembling lips and sweet wet eyes
kept me straight over there among SO
many wild fellows. You told me to make
man of myself and l have worked
three hard, honest years for you, dear
| have never loved any other woman"
He leaned toward her, his heart in his
face. They were quite hidden by the
drapery. A voice cut softly across the
low humming that filed the rooms. 4
wOman's voice as she passed with her at
tendant to the refreshment room. 'The
pretty blond who stood against these
curtains-she was looking at you with
her heart in her eyes," the voice said
''She is young, is petite, she will learn
to shrug her shoulders and laugh as the
years go on"
The girl leaned forward to catch the
reply. Her blue eyes black. her cheeks
white. the little teeth set relentlessIy
in the soft redness of her under lip.
The answer came lightly, after mo-
ment.
"a man will pass sweet wild rose if
lily glows and dazzles beyond"
The voices were lost in the hum
She leaned back, the small hands
clinched. He watched her anxiously.
Then sensuous. softly swelling waltz
melody throbbed in his brain.
Would she never speak? He dared not.
Then with long breath of relief she
moved toward him. The delicate beauty
of her face shone like a flower in the
shadowed nook.
Rob" she said softly, Pm so glad
know"
'Know what. dear?" He covered the.
little fingers as il she had been child.
Know that it was wounded pride, OF
course. What did you think l meant?
would have got over it. No woman with
any spirit would have cared for uan
after that. But it is such relief not to
care" And she laughed little light
hearted childish laugh.
Caro-, are you sure?" His voice was
full of entreaty. "Will you let me teach |
you TO care for rne?'
at would be useless''-the words had |
no sting; the voice was soft and low