The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1900-12-20

which ! had determined to fathom
and so proceeded about it in anything
but diplomatic manner, for 1 wal
young and thoughless. My whole soul
had become wrapped up in Grace. She
was the ideal woman l had pictured
in my dreams, and l had determined
that she must be mine at any cost
l look back to those days with
wonderment, more perhaps at my own
temerity under the circumstances, fol
1 did not even know that ] was loved
in return.
Gene" / remarked, one morning
after had lain awake all night plan
ming and hoping, II want to talk with
you about a matter that concerns mt
nearly-concerns us both"
He looked at me in some little
amazement Then putting his arm
through mine, laughingly pushed me
along, saying, "Well should Judge
from your long face, it's something
serious. Drive 1t away, old man, dom
consort with your cares during the
holidays. Never worry in December
January is an awful good month fol
broken vows, worriments and all thai
sort O thing"
Gene, I'm going to blurt 1t out and
have it over with. I'm head ovel
heels in love with your sister!'
"Walterp'
If l haven't mentioned it before
will say the above is my given name
although it really has nothing to de
with the story.
There was that in Eugenes face
which fairly dazed me. He seemed
terror stricken at my abrupt bu,
simple announcement. All the acts
of my life passed before me. for
was in vain endeavoring to find a
cause for his CONSERVATION, and then
poured out my soul.
"Truly, Gene, there can be nothing
against me. / have some wealth, ex
cellent prospects, am not roue---'
Hush, my boy" cried Eugene. "It
isn't that! why my sister has been en-
gagged for year, and do you think
my mother would ever forego cor.
onet! It's impossible"
Engaged! A cOronet! What do
you mean," I cried.
II mean simply this" he replied
putting his hands on my shoulders
"Grace was abroad with mother
year ago as you know. At that time
but please remember that this is al
confidential, It's a family secret-Lort
Deerland fell madly In love with Grace
and proposed for her hand. Mothel
accepted the young man with alaerlty
and | think Grace likes him. The for
NAL announcement Is to be made afte
the holidays and they are to be mar
ried in the spring. That's all there Il
to the story, my boy, and now dom
make a fuss over 1t, but just accep
the inevitable"
/ presume l looked crestfallen afte
this disclosure and for twenty fou
hours kept to my room, determined
to get over my chagrin and not II
spoil the Christmas party by an.
hasty departure.
On the following day, the day befor
Christmas, / summoned all my eouf
age and went down stairs, into tn
midst of the gayety. The expression
| on Mrs. Kerr's face had undergone
delightful change. She fairly beanie,
on me, and lurking suspicion file,
my mind. Gene had undoubtedl,
told his mother and sister all, for II
no other way could explain the rhap
sodic expression on the mothers face
and the sadness that seemed to hav
come over the younger woman. Tha
Of course was simply pity, argued
She was like all the others, ready I,
play the coQuette though she knew
she would break heart or two.
Bv a most fortunate chance I re
ceived a message late In the morning
which summoned me to the city for {
few hours on matter of business
Eugene had arranged a sleighinl
party for the afternoon. and this
was forced to forego. My train lef
shortly after noon, and I was wattipl
at tAs staton scanning paper. m,
thoughts Qp Q sweet face In the Ker