The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-04-07
miscellaneous.
WHICH {.

Miss Driscom had SO many fellows that
she did not know what to do 1t was not at
MI Il surprising thing, considering that Miss
ID. was young, pretty and rich. She was
also sensible; and knew that lovers VOWS
sometimes dissolve into thin mists when put
to the test.
Setting aside the other score or so of adj
mirers, about whom she troubled herself
very little, there We're two who gave the
heiress some uncasiness, and these two were
very unlike.
Giles Cortland was tall and fine looking
remarkably handsome, in fact; with eyes that
expressed so much, it was not necessary for
the owner to fatigue himselfwith language
those eyes could fairly bewitch people out of
their seven senses. Miss Driscom had fire.
quently felt herself so bewtched in the pres
cncc of Mr. Cortland but there was a faint,
lingering suspicion left that the spell was a
spell, after all, and not reality. 1t has been adj
mirably said that these wonderful eyes often
express sentiments and feelings to which they
have no claim whatever; but which really
belong, perhaps, to Il pair ofdull, inexpensive
orbs a long way of
Such was the case in this instance; and
the eyes that did not express what their
owner felt were the property of young
doctor, Clarence Blake by name, who never
told his love" with appropriate looks and
gestures, but told it, as he was painfully
aware, in the clumsiest fashion possible; be-
cause-poor fellow he was so terribly in
earnest
1t all came of his feeling Miss Clara's pulse
one morning, when she imagined herself to
be slightly indisposed; or possibly she wish
ed TO try her power on the young doctor; there
is no telling, sometimes, what women will
do to carry their point-and before he knew
it, the touch of the soft hand and wrist had
upset him so completely that, forgetting all
about his patients feelings, the NJ. ID. began
to unburden his own.
Clara laughed, but she blushed, too-which
was hopeful sign-and gave him an evasivc
answer.
Giles Cortland had offered himself the night
before, amid all the advantages of gas light,
flowers, and music and he had done it so
gracefully, and looked so like medieval
knight, as he stood with bowed head await
ing her decision, that the heiress almost said
ives" But something held her back; she
wondered now if she had waited for this.
Miss Driscom's country home was situated
in the midst ofwild and romantic scenery
and one August day the heiress and her two
most devoted admirers had assembled hill
that commanded fine view of the adjacent
country-whie Just below them ran the river
deep and rapid in its flow
They had been talking of the days of chiv
airy and Miss Clara chose to sigh over the
degeneracy of modern times, and to wonder
if true knighthood had quite vanished from
of the face of the earth.
"ln those days" she continued warmly,
'fa lady saw fit to throw her glove halfway
down that steep bank and send her knight to
bring it back as II proof of his love, he would
need no second bidding. Such lovers were
worth having"
"And what of the LADY," asked Doctor
Blake, quite gravely "The woman who
would risk mans life for the sake of
whim?'
Command me, o fair lady, cried Giles
Cortland, eflusively. Il am quite ready to
break my neck in your loved service"
you have read the story, perhaps, Miss
Drscom" continued the other, "0fthe knight
who rescued the ladys glove from before the
lions in an arena, where she had wantonly
thrown it to test her power over him? He
restored her something else at the same time"
"Her love, do you mcan?' asked Clara,
with laugh.
81 do" was the reply. "Hc wisely judged
that the love of a woman who would volun-
tarily risk brave mans life to crafty her
vanity was not worth having"
Really thought the heiress, this quiet
man is coming out wonderfully-hc begins
to be quite interesting"
Doctor Blake stood with folded arms look
ing very manly and self respecting
"Were you in danger oflife or limb, Miss
Driscom, | may safely assert that no one
would sooner risk everything for your rescue
trust that you believe me?"
perhaps" replied Clara, rather provoking
". "Time will show. Meanwhile, I've II
decided fancy for some of those blue gen
tians."
They were in very dangerous place-a
crevice in steep crag overhanging the river,
where false step would produce most un-
pleasant consequences-and Giles Cortland
COMPOUNDED her caprice rs he viewed the spot,
but the heiress was worth some risk, and he
was very sure-iooted. So, gracefully waving
his hand as he disappeared, he carefully let
himself down and grasped the coveted flow
ers.
What did Clearance Blake do in the mean
while Cautiously lifted hat, and departed
much to Clara's chagrin, for she wanted him
to witness her triumph.
Mr. Cortland returned safely, with hand
full of the blue gentians which he presented
on one knee in most lover like tashion-hav-
ing said to himself that the scramble down
the precipice had sufficiently spoiled his nice
suit to make little more contact with Mo-
ther Earth matter ofno consequence Miss
Driscom was quite touched with this proof
of his ready devotion, but still the same old
| feeling of distrust fingered.
That very evening Giles Cortland pressed
his suit with renewed fervor, and Clara was
almost overcome by those softly pleading
eyes.
| She managed, however, TO reply:
"Mr. Cortland, you have only known me
rs Miss Driscom the heiress what would you
say if were to tell you that had received a
telegram informing me that was beggar,
and that this very room which shelters me
now belongs to another? But what is the
matter, Mr. Cortland Are you ill?
"A-sudden pain-in my heart" he STAN
mered 81 am subject TO il. Pray excuse
me, Miss Driscom, for this evening-you
! shall hear from me in the morning"
"That romance is ended" said the heiress,
q little bitterly, as she perused the gentleman
ly note that was handed to her the next morn
ing the writer had received sudden sum-
mons to South America). exit Giles Cort-