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


ed sigh, and, turning quickly, saw very
thoughtful look come over the elder sister I
face and, stepping back into the shadow
unobserved, took close survey of the
room and its occupants while the doctor
was giving his directions.
With the exquisite neatness and the
general air of refinement which the room
possessed, he had not noticed the poverty
now, as he looked closely, he saw how
threadbare and worn everything was.
He was reused from his observations by
the doctor turning to him, as he had given
his final directions. Stepping up to the
bedside, he said
"Now, my little man, you must not al, H.
low this to worry you too much. L will
see that YOU do not lose anything, and if
the situation be lost, why, we'll try if a
better one cannot be found; so do not fret,
or shall, too, and know you would not
like that" Then, turning, with his win
ming grace, he said.
"Miss Winton ?" an interrogation in
his voice.
She bowed.
II shall take the liberty of coming to
see my little friend again, and [ am sorry
t indeed that | have been the means of Civ
ing you such bad beginning fer your new
year.
What was there in his voice that moved
her so strangely to pity, not for herself,
but for him?
Raising her large brown eyes she at
tempted to say something commonplace !;
but, failing, she merely bowed, and they
parted.
Denham and the doctor made their way
down stairs, and getting into the carriage,
drove off together
GA rather nice family that, but pretty
hard pushed to get along, should think, "
said the doctor. "Did you notice the
table 4? Not much there for festal re-
past 1t will need all your tact to help
them, too; for, although Miss Winton has
sweet face, there are some very naughty
lines about that mouth. Did you notice
herr"
"Iw scornfully replied Denham. "No.
[ have done with women forever. This
day marks an epoch in my life. | won't
conceal from you, my oldest and best
friend, that Linda has rejected me, and for
what ?-money For | know she loves
me as she will never love another; and
when a woman as noble, as truthful and as
high minded, will deliberately turn against
her best affections and noblest impulses,
what can you expect from the common lot
of petty, gossiping women, whose minds
are nothing but reflection of the last
fashion plate? The sweet-faced Miss
Winton would do the same. | warn you,
too, before you get too deep, to beware of
the charming Miss Elsie, although know
you will not rest until you SINCE your
wings, too But [ must see about sending
my little friend some delicacies. l have
taken quite fancy to him. How man
fully he bore the pain. wonder will he
bear the wounds of the heart in future
years as we'll? He little knows, poor fell
low, that this suffering is light to what he
will have to endure some day
The doctor was panied to sec his friend
in such bitter mood. He had known
him all his life they were boys together,
were in college together, and never had
their friendship been broken. And know
ing Denham's deeply affectionate nature,
he knew not how to console him. If it
had been more wildly, reckless mood
he could have met it better, but this des
pairing bitterness he knew not how to deal
with
So they rode in silence till, reaching
Broadway, Denham drove to fruiterers,
confectioncrs and florists, ordering the
most delicious dainties to be sent to his
little friend. This over, the doctor said:
'Now, Denham, where next? Won't
you come with me to Mrs Dae's? You
have card, | know"
"No," sld Denham. ~ have cut all
that now. Prove to me that there is one
woman who would not sell her soul for
money, and perhaps you may restore my
faith in woman nature. | shall spend
the evening in another search through
Uncle Alexis papers, in hopes of finding
some cew to the name of the man Aunt
Alice married. Plague take it l wish
he had not given me quite such search,
but had left the money to some orphan
asylum at once"
"But perhaps, after all, you may be the
heir. Who knows what may be in the
will when opened ?" said the doctor, as he
turned away.
A great change came over Denham
Edwards after that New Years day He
Stunned all society; even his favorite op-
eras grew distasteful to him, as he con-
stantly dreaded seeing Linda Brent; the
clubhouse became his only resort.
He grew sarcastic in his remarks on
women, and was altogether in danger of
growing into a bitter, misanthropical old
bachelor. He himself was not aware of
what had saved him. 1t was the influence
Of Emily Winton.
He had from the first taken a fancy to
Henry, and, although he had repelIed
the idea of Doctor Black, that he could
ever look at woman again, yet he had
observed Miss v inton, and took to making
study of her.
He would 60 there at all hours, at odd
hours-carly in the morning on his way
to the office, with basket of fruit, with
magazines, illustrated papers, always some
thing to cheer and brighten his little
friends Imprisonment and many an eve
ming he spent there in lively, bright talk,
for they were all full of gayety and fun,
and, with his quick, observant eye, there
was but little that escaped him.
lie saw how bravely the elder sister
bore the burden of the weight and support
of the family, the education of the two
girls and the care of the boy, and how
bright and happy she made their lives.
Accustomed to wealth and to seeing wo-
men in society and surrounded by luxu-
ries, this was a new phase of life to him,
and he made it study.
la the meantime he made every effort
to discover his uncles missing heirs. His
uncle had died, leaving him letter en-
joining him to discover sister who had