The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-01-01
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STORY OF A YEAR.

Very handsome looked Linda Brent on
this brilliant New Years day, as she
moved like a queen through her aunt s
handsomely furnished drawing room.
Not one of all the throng whom she
welcomed 50 cordially and who wished her
a happy New Year could have imagined
the dsquieting thoughts pressing on her
mind, for to-day she was to give her final
answer to Dcnham Edwards, and-she
loved him.
He was poor; she looked down the
room; it was brilliant vista The bright
lights, the marbles, the mirrors, the exqui-
site blue and silver furnishings, the waving
lace curtains, with glimpses Of the conser-
vatory bcyond-could she give it all up,
although She was but here on sufferance,
and subsde into life Of poverty in mar
row apartments with Denham Edwards =?
The struggle was sharp and bitter, for
there was much that was noble in her
character, but she was poor and depend
eut, aad she hated poverty, although one
would think that the poverty of three
thousand year you'd not be too hard to
bear for the sake vf the man she loved.
The question had not yet been decided in
her mind when she heard low, musical
voice at her side.
"a very happy New Year, Miss Linda"
and raising her eyes, she saw an earnest,
loving look on Denham Edwards face it
was gone in an instant, it was meant
but for her.
"a thousand thanks And shall wish
you many in return, or is it on y Decessa-
ry to wish you one at time and wait
until next year for repetition p she gayly
replied.
"If you were to make this one Happy
New Year for me, Linda, it would last
for all time, he replied, in low, earnest
tones.
"Hush, Denham."
And again there was short, sharp strug
gle, which he saw quite plainly on her face
and was prepared for the answer:
mo, it can never, never be-
Her voice sounded far away and dim to
herself; was she really speaking? But
looking up, she saw the proud, scornful
look on her lovers face, as with profound
bow he left her.
Mechanically he left the home and en-
tered the carriage. The driver said, res
pectfully, "Wherc next, sir ?" to which he
replied, fercely: "Anywhere, and drive
fast
"Fool that [ was" he thought -"fool
and thrice fool to think that she would
be different from the rest It's all money,
money, money. And yet l believe she
has noble impulses and that she loved me,
but not enough to marry on three thous-
and year Twenty thousand-ah, that
would have made difference Is it or is
it not fortunate thing for me that no one
knows that Uncle Alexis heirs cannot be
found"
But underneath his thoughts was a bit
ter longing that she had not known-a wish
that he had been deceived, and that his
eyes had never been opened.
Wrapped in his musings, he never no.
ticed where they were driving, but was
dlsagreeably awakened by feeling dull
thud, then a shout and the carriage sud-
uOhiy oIoPPlbS'
Jumping hastily out, he found that his
driver had run over little bue-coated
messenger-that was ALL
Gle won't be missed plerty more left, ,"
some one said, hcartlessly.
Denham stopped not to answer, but pick
ed the little fellow up and asking him where
he lived, bade the man drive quickly, and
was off before the crowd knew what had
happened.
1t was long way they had to 90, and
Denham pitied the little fellow, who was
trying to bear the pain so manfully.
He had pale, thin face, with large,
earnest eyes and con6ding manner. 1t
was not very difficult to get him to tell his
history.
His name was Henry Winton. His
mother had been dead long time his
father died two years ago. His oldest SIS
ter, Emily, taught school, and there were
two little sisters, May and Edna, who were
going to school; and he was messenger
boy, and helped his sister.
And then his eyes shut; but the tears
would force their way through, and Den
ham knew that he was thinking that now
he conld not help. fI7Tl
"Never mind, my little man. I will
see that you shall be no loser by this ac-
cident. will pay your wages just the
same"
But the kind words were not heard, for
the child had tainted.
By this time they had arrived at the
house the child had directed them to. Ten
derly lifting the boy out, and sending the
driver and carriage after his old friend, DR..
Black, Denham carried him in, and, in
quiring his way, was directed to the third
floor.
The door was open, and three frighten-
-ed-looking faces were peering out reas-