The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-04-10
CHAPTER w.

1xn =
- Brandon and Princess Mary,
tsss the latter of whom was In the
habit of saying unkind things and be-
ing thanked for them
Brandon was the wrong man to say
them to, as Mary learned He was not
hot tempered-in fact. just the reverse
but he was the last man to brook an
affront and the quickest to resent In
cool headed. dangerous way an inten-
tional offense.
He respected himself and made 9TH
ers do the same, or seem to do so at
least. He had no vanity. which is but
an inordinate desire for those qualities
that bring self respect and often the re-
suit of conscious demerit, but he knew
himself and knew that he was entitled
to his own good opinion. He was every
inch a man. strong. Intelligent and
brave to temerity, with reckless dis
regard of consequences, which might
have been dangerous had 1t not been
tempered by a dash Of prudence and
caution that gave him ballast.
was not surprised when ! heard OF
the encounter, for / knew enough OF
| him to be sure that Mary's high handed
ness would meet its counterpart in my
cool friend Brandon. II was. however,
an unfortunate victory, and what all
Mary's beauty and brightness would
have failed to do her honest. open ac-
| knowledgment Of wrong, following so
quickly upon the heels of her fault, ac-
complished easily. 1t drew him within
the circle OF her fatal attractions. and
| when Jane told me of 1t knew his fate
| was sealed and that sooner or later his
| untouched heart and cool head would
| fall victim to the shafts that 80 surely
| winged all others.
| IT might and probably would be
later" since. as Brandon had said. he
was not one of those who wear the
heart upon the sleeve. Then he had
that strong vein of prudence and eau
ton which. in view of Mary's unattain-
/ abIeness, would probably come to his
| helm. But never was mans heart strong
enough to resist Mary Tudor's smile
for long.
There was this difference between
Brandon and most others-he would be
slow to love. but when love should once
fairly take root In his intense nature be
would not do to trifie with
The night after the meeting Mary
cuddled up to Jane, who slept with her
and whispered. half bashfully.
Tell me ali about Brandon. ] an
interested in him / believe if l knew
| more persons like him ! should be {
better girl. notwithstanding he Ii ont
| of the boldest men l ever knew. HI
says anything he wishes and. with al
his modest manner. Is as cool with M
| as II I were a burghers daughter. Hi
modesty is all on the outside. but it 1
pretty. and pretty things must be o.
the outside to be useful. ! wonder
Judson thought him modest"
Jane talked of Brandon to Mary, wh
was in an excellent humor. until tn
girls fell asleep.
When Jane told me of this. becam
frightened. for the surest way TO an
woman's heart is to convince her tina
you make her better and arouse In he
breast purer impulses and higher asp
rations. 1t would be bad enough shoul
Brandon fall in love with the princes
which was almost sure to happei
but for them to fall I'm love with eac
: other meant Brandon's head upon tt
block and Mary's heart bruised. broke
and empty for life Her strong natur
filed to the brim with latent passiol
was the stuff of which love makes
confiagration that burns to destru
ton. and should she learn TO love Bra
b don she would move heaven and earl
to possess him.
She whose every desire from chill
hood up had been gratified- who
every whim seemed to her par
mount necessity. would stop at not
ing when the dearest wish woman
heart can coin was to be gained or 10:
Brandon's element Of prudence mig
help him and might forestall any {
fort on his part to win her. but Ma
had never heard OF prudence. al
mans caution avails but little VIII
set s-ainst wOman's daring. In ca
they both should love they were su
to try for each other and in trying we
equally sure to find ruin and desol
ton
A few evenings after this ! met I
princess In the queens drawing roo
She beckoned me to her and. resti
her elbows on the top Of cabinet,
chin in her hands. said: II met yo
friend. Captain Brandon. day or Il
ago. Did he tell your
"No.- / answered. "Jane told n
but he has not mentioned It."
1t was true Brandon had not said
word of the matter, and 1 had I
spoken Of IL either. / wanted to
an how long he would remain silent c.
se cerning an adventure that would ha
ct. set most men Of the court boasung
a great rate. To have a tilt with
ever victorious Mary and to come
victor was enough, ! think. to loos
DY any tongue less given to Dragging th
Brandon's-
SO" continued Mary, eviden
,pe somewhat piqued. '-he did not think
OF presentation to me n thing worth m
tioning? We had a little passage
arms. and. to tell you the truth, ca