The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1899-12-28

him send hothouse flowers to Susan
and lavish like attention on Miss Nor
rison at one and the same time. We
would inaugurate new system with
the new year.
You opened and read this letter."
asked slowly, possibly with some
slight severity, when you knew 1T
was not written to your"
Sue flushed deeply, and a look of
panied Indignation swept over her
face.
"Why, Tom, who do you take me
for? OF course not! thought it was
for me, or never would have broken
the seal of the horrd thing. It's aw.
full" added Sue, clasping her hands
with a gesture of despair.
What is it?" asked bluntly.
Read it," responded Sue.
you must read it, Tom, to under
stand and help me out Louise will
never, never forgive me! and she will
never, never, believe that | did not
open her hateful letter out of mean
curiosity"
For the life of me could not under.
stand how any man in his senses
could fail to appreciate that little
girls immense superiority over Louise
Morrison, that unreliable, small-souled
young woman, whose vanity was as
allpervading as her astuteness. Two
hideous traits.
The letter was-well, a glance suf-
feed to inform me that 1t contained
the usual rhapsodies and idiocies
1T was in the first page of the
book" explained she tearfully," and
so, you see, Tom, that was sent to
~; ai1 fL4
| opened and read the nonsensical
thing. Do you know, Tom, dear" con-
tinued Sue, and in spite of her morti.
fled distress, two lovely dimples crept
into the corners of her mouth, "it was
by mere accident noticed Louise's
name on the envelope. 1t fell on the
floor with the address uppermost"
well, child" | said "all you have
to do is to notify Cameron of the ac.
cident, and let him try his hand at an
effusive epistle to his lady love, or en-
close this thing Just as it is to Miss
Morrison and write her an honest ex-
planation of your error. To my mind
the first would be the safer plan of
the two. 1t would be a little awkward
for you both, and will delay the eX.
tremely ready acceptance that is wait.
ing for him, which is pity, as, If
understand his extremely involved
sentences, he is hoping. / believe the
fellow wrote 'Pining,' or some such
word, this very afternoon. Wants to
start out on the new year with cart
load of illusions and fantastic antici-
patton of coming happiness. Happi-
ness, with Louise Morrison" | added
sardonically. "Why, venture to pre-
dict, on next New Years he will be
looking around for method of es-
cape"
"I'll send a note to him right off
then, Tom" Sue said hurriedly. at
will be my New Year greeting to him."
and she laughed brightly.
But my ear could detect jangle in
the sweet notes.
What Internal fools men are" So
liloquiized internally, and from the
vantage ground of my old bachelor.
hood looked with supreme contempt
on the blunders and misapprehensions
! could note in the matrimonial ven
lures of my friends and acquaint.
ances. by which they very determin-
ately brought untold sorrows upon
themselves.
Serves 'em right" added men,
tally.
Harris, take this note arounds to
Mr.. Cameron and bring the answer"
| directed to the butler who had an
swered the bell. You'll be apt to find
him in"
Silence fell between us when the
door had closed, and lit cigar.
Twilight had fallen, filling with it's
soft shadows the hooks and corners of
the library, and outside the hustle and
animation of the street was greater
than usual, for humanity, with it's
usual lack of perspicacity, must need
celebrate with fireworks and jollity
the advent of the incoming year,
which is also one less in which the
present generation can flaunt and dis
play its folly.
well, little one" I said finally, "ft's
about time to dress for dinner. by
on your plate"
You are dear old boy" she said,
putting her arms around my neck.
l drew her down by my side and
kept smoking, while she leaned her
head confidingly and sorrowfully on
my shoulder
A carriage dashed up to the house
and heard a pause and the hall door
slam.
"Mr. Cameron" announced Harris.
AS Sue had started up and was sit.
ting in the shadow, Herbert Cameron
evidently failed to perceive me.
did you believe it possible" he
said, agitatedly and in a pleading
voice. leaning forward with out
stretched arms, that | could write a
letter to any one but you? To any one
the dearest and loveliest woman"
"Ahem!" interposed, rising and
coming forward. Good evening. Cam.
eron; glad to see you. Wish you a
stand Susan's slight mistake in open
ing Miss Morrison's note"
Hush, man! Stop!" said Cameron,
nearly shaking my arm off. 81 wrote
that to Miss Waring OF course you
know that by an absurd mistake put
1t in an envelope addressed to Miss
Morrison, instead of the card | was
sending her with box of candy"
"Oh," | said, endeavoring to extri.
cate my crushed and aching fingers.
Then"
YES" said Cameron, in a low tone,
and without releasing me ASK her,
old fellow, to glorify this New Year
for me! Ask her.
"All right" hastily interposed. ex.
Treating what was left OF my hand
and hastily retreating towards the
door. ASK her yourself. | have no
earthly objection to it,"
There should be no tear" in ones
New Year leaves Such an opening,
tef fc