The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-05-10


ing myself in the wrong, and having swal-
lowed more wine than | should, at the
supper table, grew very angry.
May Task what have done ?" said.
You know said Grace.
II know | repeated, "Nay, know
nothing of womans fancies. You must
explain
+" scarcely think it worth while," said
she. "lf you do not know that you have
done wrong tonight, really should not
care. You have neglected me, and devo-
ted yourselfto that vulgar woman. heard
lady near me say that you seemed to be
tired of your bargain. She thought that
you were in love with that creature. So
did other people. Under the circum.
stances, | have a right to feel offended,
insuited."
Perhaps she thought would deny her
charge. Perhaps she expected me to
plead for pardon. God knows what pos
sessed me, answered only:
May | not talk to pretty woman be-
cause hope to marry you some day ?"
You were flirting-almost making love
to her" she replied.
81 She is the sort of woman with whom
men fall in love-" said Irresistible in
her manner, I've heard she makes con.
quests everywhere; don't doubt it"
Grace looked at me with stern face--
white in the starlight as marble statue.
"Other women are always jealous of
such women" l added.
q am not jealous of her" she said, II
would not be like her for kingdom. She
is terrible woman. But since you ad-
mirc her so you are free to tell her so after
you have seen me to my door"
" Grace" !" | said.
Miss Hunter, il you please, Mr.. Ruth
erford, said she. ave have both made
a little mistake easily rectifed that is all. "
felt, as | stood looking at her, that the
effect Of the wine | had drank upon me
was stronger than | had thought but
gave no heed to the warning of my giddy
head and rapid pulse.
Just as you please" said II should
think that a jealous woman would curse
any mans life. I'll 60 now | won't
trouble you longer. Goodbye"
We were not at the door of her home
We were about half block from it but
turned on my heel then and there, and
left her staggered little as I walked
and | was hot and angry. made my
way home, and without undressing fell
upon my bed and dropped asleep
In two hours | awaked sober | sat up
and looked about me. The scenes Of the
evening required to me vividly. saw
how blameworthy | had been, and terri
bic grief oppressed me. put my head
down upon my hands and burst into bitter
tears. | had lost her, and with her all
that made life precious. Then hope
dawned upon my soul. / would write to
her; tell her how, unused to liquor as
was, the wine had affected me. / would
tell her that to my sober self there was nc
charm in the woman who had seemed t.
enchant me the evening before. l would
draw the comparison l felt so keenly be-
tween her pure self and that bold.eyed
flirt. | would pray forgiveness and she
would forgive me.
Springing to my feet | rushed to my
desk. | drew from it pen and paper.
wrote letter overaowing with rcmorse
and tenderness read it and re-read il
Then, leaving it upon the spot where il
was written, stood at the window waiting
for the tardy dawn, very jealous of the
slow hours that kept my missiye from my
darling
| had put out my candle when l left my
desk, and the room should have been dark
but as | turned my head, after long ant
anxious reverie, saw it was full of pal,
radiance like that of moonlight. ItstartleG
me. Whence did the light come ? Hat
miracle occurred-had the moon risen
again?
Suddenly, amid the silvery light ap
peared still winter radiance. 1t SLOWLY
took form A female figure, in whit,
garments so bright that they dazzled tn,
eyes, stood bending over my letter.
| remained motionless-to speak OF sti
was not in my power-and gazed on the
strange object with terrified intensity
The figure seemed to turn the pages Of my
letter with its transparent hand. heart
q gentle sigh then the head turned to
ward me, and saw face ] knew-th,
face that seemed the loyeliest of all Oh
earth to me, endowed with a mysterioul
divine beauty for which no man could fnt
words--the glorifed face of sweet Grac,
Hunter.
At the sight l burst the bonds whicl
held me--bonds as tangible as though
could have seen them-and rushed for
ward. l stroye to clasp my love, or he
shadow, in my arms. A shock such al
one might experience from an electrical
machine flashed through me, and fel
powerless to the floor
When | recovered, the day had dawned
and under the blue morning sky the cit,
had awakened but my day never dawne,
again, My heart never awoke to life
} sweetness.
H.. a,,l che otarx -, a x,ar,, f.ax. ,.,n,.l,