Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-01-17

day was set, but Medora wore pretty
new ring upon her forefnger-and
John was very unhappy.
Mr.. Aylmer Hastings, let it be un-
derstood in way too vague to be con-
vincing, that he was "on the board Of
trade" He had a glib fund of conver-
sation relating to wheat and pork, and
the operations of Phillips in corn, whis-
pered mysteriously of "inside opera
TONS" and once had coniided to Medo-
ra's papa, who was an unsuspecting
gentleman given over to the purchase
of butter at 1Gh cents and it's sale at
90 cents, that if the latter chose to go
in," he (EIastings) could "place him
right" But the elder Folsom didn't
care to "go in," which was Just as well.
for Hastings was only clerk in buck
ct shop and couldn't have placed"
dollar fright" to save his life. In
truth, the purchase and sale account
of his own daily dabblings in thousand
bushel lots of grain and the ten-share
transactions in blackboard 'stocks"
was a woeful thing to see, and kept him
on the ragged edge of penury.
But guess he was engaged to marry
Medora all right enough Girls are so
queer.
When the week of the horse show
came, Medora wanted TO go. This was
not only natural, but quite reason
able. When a girl trims her own hats
and has to be economical in buying
new gowns, the horse show becomes
great school of technical education.
There is so much more in congregated
life to see, you know, than horses.
Now John, good John, when he
learned of this natural, reasonable as
piration of Medora, promptly offered
to take not only that young lady, but
her mother, too. This overture Medora
declined with frigid thanks. Mr.. Hast
| ings (of the board of trade) could take
her. she said. But Mr.. Hastings didn't.
He was particularly close to shore that
week
"Medora, dear" said this artful one,
'we will save our pennies to furnish
our own little nest, darling. Horse
shows cost money"
show" pouted Medora, "and to-day the
roses are on view. That's cheap
enough, if one goes in street car"
Let's go to the flower show in Lin
coin park, dearest" said Aylmer.
Every little we save now will help us
good deal later on"
Therefore Medora dearest went with
| Aylmer to see the flowers in Lincoln
park.
The flowers were really superb.
! The day was fair. In the intoXication
of sun and perfume and youth Medora
grew radiant. She began almost to
believe she loved Aylmer and as his
wife would be happy.
They strolled out of the conserva-
tories into the bright November air
and soon, without purpose, found
themselves part of the great crowd
which had turned its eager steps into
the animal house, where the monkeys,
the elephants and the reptilia have n
summer house. Head Keeper Cy De
Nry was experimenting the removal
of his pet serpents to winter quar-
ters. \ Gordon of policemen kept the
crowding spectators at a safe dis
tance. The keeper used n long stick
with n running moose on its end to
snare the snakes. Then he thrust
them into a padded barrel, covered ii
with burlap sack, and attendants
rolled it away.
All were disposed OF but Satan, the
huge diamond-back rattlesnake. He
seemed apathetic ir the chilly air
The keeper noosed and lifted. The
great snake withered viciously. Then
the moose slipped and he fell upon the
floor. In an instant the huge creature
was in coil, his laenacing warning
sounded in n sharp rattle, and he
darted his deadly fangs at the keeper
There was wild panic. Policemen
and crowd alike fled for the doors
They were closed. Against then
burst this furious, impetuous, unrea
soning crush of men and women il
. fear. The weak We're trampled. TIL,
strong struck vicious blows at thos,
who opposed their fight.
At the first burst of alarm Medora
, who had stood quite near the keeper
grew deadly pale. Then, as she re
membered that she was leaning upol
her Aylmers protecting arm, he
, heart gave an eNultant leap of prid
and confidence. His strength wa
: hers. He would save her, if he could
If not-well, they could die together
! But as the girl looked up into he
lovers face she saw it had grow
/ ashen. His lips were aquiver. Sh
= felt the shaking of the arm her finger
: touched. Hepushed her roughly away
= then with a dismaycd cry of crave
t fear turned and fed. Mcdora stoo
1 quite still. Her voice had left her now
o but great wave of shame for him, o
: contempt for herself that she ha
II loved thing so craven, swept her be
l ing.
e A shouting cry which called he
I name from some far-off rock of safet
=, awoke her to herself. She looked.
d man, leaping through the now opene
doors, whence the struggling huma