The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-07-31
Select STORY.
ADRIENNE's STORY.

but there seemed no prospect that should
ever leave her. | had come out, so TO
speak, as far as any one so repressod could
come out, but might as we'll have staid
in. | only sat 10 corners, talked with the
chaperons, or listened to soms garrulous
oetogenarian. Aunt Brownies interest ia
me, such as it was, died natural death
after my first season-it had always been
weakly-aud the result was a sad defici-
cney in my wardrobe. She had married
off two daughters without difficulty, but a
niece, Il seemed, stuck closer than burr.
However, it was not my fault that re-
mained unmarried. | had done my best
to be fascinating Though | hated th9
idea Of marrying for home or position, yet
] was sure | should not find it hard to
love one who was kind to me, if only on
account Of the novelty. | was thirty now,
aud not unused to hearing the changes
rung upon the old maid, and the beggars
who shouldn't be ehoosers, by my younger
cousins, Susette and Anne. But | had
had one opportunity TO change for better
or worse of which they had never dreamed.
The son of Aunt Brownies second hus.
band, Cedric Browne, had asked me to
marry him, three years before, as We rowed
up the river in June for the rosy laurel
blooms TO decorate the house and piazzas
for Susette's birthday fetc. | sometimes
wondered what Aunt Browne would have
thought Of the proceeding, as she had set
her heart upon marrying Susette to Ced-
ric Perhaps refused him because was
not enough interested to care about frus-
trating Aunt Brownies plans; perhaps l
did not expect to be taken at my word,
but imagined it the proper way to decline,
in order to be importuned. / believe all
my fayorite heroines had conducted in this
wise. However, we rowed home through
tho sunset, our boat heaped with the pink
flowers, in silence.
"You look as if you were laden with
sunse. Clouds" said Susette, who was
watching for US on the shore; but am
certain that Cedric looked liked thunder
cloud.
The next day was the fete Everybody
brought presents for Susette. Cedric gave
her an antique necklace Of turquoises; l
was sure he had meant it for me. We
had supper out of doors, under the great
pine-troes, aud dancing by moonlight.
That day began to regard Cedric Browne
attentiyely. had known him under the
same roof for weeks at a time; | had
laughed and talked with him, believing
him fore ordained to minister to Susette's
happiness, "as inaccessible as star in
heaven" so far as | was concerned. He
had helped me with Adele's children, who
had come to live at Aunt Brownies when
their mother died. But that he should
regard me with any tender emotions | had
never even dared to wish. In fact had
thought little about him till to-day. l
had never observed till to day that his eyes
were as tender as stars, that his face was
like that radiant counteuanee Of Mozart
in the musie-room; that his smile was sim
ply euchantment. II was rather late to
mako these discoveries.
He did not leave us at once; Il seemed
as if ho staid just long enough for me to
know all had lost Since then he had
been with US once again for whole
month; but little Walter was i'll with
spinal affection that kept him on his back,
and me by his side; and though Cedric
used to relieve me often by day and by
night, | could see from my window, aud
from occasional glimpsos into the drawing
room, that the balance Of his time was
spent ln Susette company.
"Aunt Susette's beau is going to make
me kite, Teddy con6dcd to Walter one
day
"Who's hep asked Walter from his
bed.
awhy, Cedric, Of course = Cedric
Browne Bridget says so herself as If
that put the matter beyond dispute.
The next day, when Cedric came up to
amuse Walter with the affairs downstairs,
that youth demandedl--eT say, are you
really Auut SuAelie beau, Cedric Ad-
rienne's ever 50 Moor When I'm a man
IN marry Adriennc"
Then you'll be luekier than | said
Cedric, winding UP a top, and spinning it
in his palm.
Il was year since then. | 10 longer
went out; | was fairly passe Aunt