The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1870-06-30

HoWueu watson nushcu III anger anu
with head erect bore down and passed
his enemies, like suspended or cash
tered officer OF the line, conscious Of |
his soldieriy qualities. but equally con,
scious Of his "altered circumstance"
Too high he held his head, in fact,
for he caught no soft glance from the
lady's eye, and trod SO firmly upon the
trail of her elegant evening dress as to
cause perceptible cracking of seams
at the skirt pleats Evans turned with
a sudden anger.
"DOlt" he hissed.
Watson passed on, staying to make
no apology, but he heard the lldy say:
+" Fie, it is nothing;" and he was
conscious, too, that she was looking at
him wonderingy.
An hour later Watson was down on
the piazza again, evidently on the quest
for some person, and he found his man
ere long. Evans was the gentle.
man wanted. Going up to him Watson
said {:
"Mr. Evans, what was the word you
used at the time trod on the trail Of
Miss 0romancs dress z"
said doH, Sir and | say II again.
We have hitherto supposed you to be
gentleman, and now learn that you can.
not pay your bills" aud he laughed, half
in scorn half in humor of the fact so op.
portuuely given him to crush another.
The hot blood flew to Watson's face
his hands we're clcnchci as ifto strike
but, BY a strong effort, lie mastered his
passion.
Evans, no gentleman ever would
have uttered that sentence. Only
coward would fling anothcr's poverty
in his face. Miss Oromaues, educated
as she has been to give virtue to wealth,
might find in my inability to pay my
hotel bill, justification for dropping
my acquaintance; but l doubt if ever
she would have couutenanced incivility
| owe her an apology for my seeming
rudeness, and will give it to her, but
you hold in too supreme contempt
even to exchange more words with you
Hereafter do not speak to me, for if you
do | shall slap your face, even in the
preseace of the ladies'" And the
speaker went his way to his attic room.
This scene, overheard by several gen.
tlemau aud ladies', soon was the talk of
the rooms. Evans, being a recognized
leader Of very aristocratic circle, soon
convened others Of the set aud Major
Snow was, ere long, summoned to be in-
formed that he must "clear out Wat.
son"-Esans offering to pay the delin-
quent's bill,
And the news flew throughout the
parlors and promenades that Major
Snow was to give Mr.. Robert Watson,
of Baltimore, his walking papers in the
morning.
An observer of the scene between
the two gentlemen on the piazza was
Miss 0romances. Having at once re-
tired to her room to repair the accident
to her skirt, the lady donned another
dress, and, to enjoy half an hour un-
disturbed, stole out upon the pleasant
open weather promenade. She thus
was witness Of what transpired. She,
too, retired, in evident excitement, to
her rooms; and when her maid, half
an hour later, brought the house. u ews
that the Major was to clear Watson out
in the morning, the heiress, with per-
feet deliberation, but with frightened
color in her checks, aud clear sparkle
in her beautiful eyes, sat down to her
desk and indited the following note:
Major Snow will please take no action in
the matter of the difference between Mr..
Watson and Mr.. Evans. overheard every
word that passed between the gentlemen,
and fully justify Mr.. Watson. Were il
not an insult to him, would offer to be.
come responsible for any amount which he
may not be able to pay; but know that
he is thorough gentleman, and would
| equally scorn to wrong you or 10 leave your
house at the dictation of others.
lam, Sir, yours,
HELEYE 0RoMANEs. .
This the maid was instructed to place
in the Majors hands at once. The
maid had not far to go, for she met the
proprietor advancing up the stairway
He glanced at the billet and laughed
then paused and said,
"No use of my trip up five pair Of
stairs. Mr.. Robert Watson has free.
dom Of this house for the next FIVE sea-
sons"
And down stairs he went again; while
the opened.eared maid having lost not a
word, returned TO her mistress to fiud
her absorbed iu pcnuing another note.
This was written with great care and
many pauses. 1t was finally flushed,
aud read as follows: