The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-09-13


him that evening.
He knew she had always seemed pleased
and happy when with him, and though not |
a couceited or vain man, he hardly thought
her answer would be no.
But their love seemed destined not TO
run smoothly, for the note that would have
made Maud SO happy never reached her,
and this Is how it happened The aforc
said small boy, having received the box,
proceeded to carry ii 10 the way boys in
variably do, swinging it from side to side,
wrong side up or any other way, 1t made
no difference. OF course this one came to
grief accordingly. Having one finger in
the string tied around the box, be was
swinging It to the best Of his ability, at
the same time gazing in open-mouthed ad-
miration at boy about his size who was
pommeling one several degrees smaller on
the opposite side Of the street Being
occupied in looking at them, he did not
see the ice on the walk, and consequently
came down with force that brought tears
to his eyes.
Having sat there moment rubbing his
lead with an injured expression Of eoun-
tenance, he gathered himself up and limp
ed along to pick up the box. Now the
string hcd slipped off the box, when John
ME sat down with such force, a1d the
poor little violets slid of the walk into the
gutter, while the note, lying against the
snow did not attract his attention. TAX
ing up the bouquet of flowers, he deposited
them in the box, and tying the string Sc
curely round it, started off at good
round pace, arriving at Mrs. Evans door
without any further calamity bcfalliug
him.
A young man who was talking with
some one had seen Johnnie's fall, and
espied the note. Picking it up, he called
to Johnnie; but as that youths heels were
just disappearing around the corner, he
did not hear.
The young, man thrust the note in his
pocket, forgot all about il, being in great
hurry to catch the train, with only FIVE
minutes left in which to reach the depot.
Ten o'clock saw Frank making his way
through Judge B-'s lighted parlors
Looking eagerly, he espied Maud sur
rounded as usual by crowd, for she had
many admirers beside the young lawyer
He could catch glimpse Of her now and
then, SO, standing quietly, he waited till
the crowd parted aud he was able to see
her plainly. Looking, he could see nc
violets; he rubbed his eyes and looked
again; but it did not improve his vision
there were certainly no yiOlets in the bon
ny brown hair.
He stood there, feeling himself grow
white and cold, till he was conscious thai
his face would tell strange tales if anyone
accostcd him. Turning, he left the room
going out on the vernada, and there sa
and fought the bitter fight out, A les
manly man would have blamed Maud
would have accused her Of leading him OF
for her own amusement; but he loved he
too we'll. He alone was to blame; he hat
thought it was love he read in the brow
eyes raised SO slyly to his; if she did no
love him, that was enough; he would neye
make her unhappy by alluding to it, bu
would try and be unselfsh enough to b
happy when he saw her in some othe
mans love. ---.-.e----.. l-As---..
After a time he went back to the par
lors, knowing he should be questioned a
to his non-appeaance If he did not
Nov Maud had seen Frank when h,
entered the rooms first, and missed hin
when he disappeared, wondering what ha,
become Of him. When he entered tn
parlor again, she stood talking with som,
one. Looking at her as he passed, h,
said, "Good-eyening," and quietly passe,
on to where Miss Fenton stood, aud Mau,
heard him ask her to dance.
Annie Fenton was sunny little blonde
aud Frank had paid her more attention
than anyone else except Maud. An,
now, she saw them together, she thought
"What if, after all, he does not love me
He has acted strangely this evening
Possibly he is in love with Annie Fenton
1t would be nothing strange if he were
Men are ever 6ckle and changeablc, will
a bitter smile, and the wisdom Of he
eighteen years. "Not even to give me nj
opportunity to thank him for his flowers
But he seems completely infatuated witt
Annie Fenton," looking at Frank, VIII,
was bending in seeming devotion over th,
little blondes chair. "But | will shoy
him l can be as gay as he; he shall neye
know l love him"
So Maud danced and firted, till yo,
would have thought she was the hsppies
Of the happy; but pride will do much, an,
pride upheld Maud till the weary part,
was at an end.
After that, Frank avoided every plac,
where he was likely TO meet Maud, ans
became morose and melancholy. As fol
Maud, she went out as usual, but wen
in listless fashion that had become ha
bitual to her row, causing her mother
much anxiety.
But if Maud was miserable, Frank was
no less 50, though he, having moro to Oc
cupy his attention, did not feel it as keenly
as she. Still, he was not feeling in yery
cheerful mood, one morning as he sat il
his Office, looking intently at the FIRE, and
putting at his cigar like whole volcano
when suddenly the door was thrown open
and in rushed the stranger who had picked
up the lost note.
"And how are you?" he inquired, seiE
ing Franks hand aud shaking it heartily
First rate" replied Frank. "Wher
did you get back"
! "Oh, this morning; thought l would
drop 10 and see how you were. Seems Il
me you are not looking remarkably jolly
what's the troubleY Lost your money, OF
has some one left you out Of his viii, OF
- with laugh, looking at his friends
gloomy face-"has some one refused youl
Come, guess I've hit it this time, he
said, as his friends face slightly flushed
"You were rather sweet on Miss Evans
when left. You may as well own up;
she has refused your"
Frank was naturally Of a retieent nature
but he never could withstand Tom Lori.
mer Why, he and Tom had known each
other since the time they wore roundabout
jaoke,s--had helped each other out Of In.
Vulnerable boy crapes--had been room
mates at college, and after graduating,