The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-06-10

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the lovers go strolling past two by two
( Everything about the house reminds he
of him. The papers, the books, the flow
\ ers, and most of all the little room with tn,
curious diamond -paned windows. She long
/ for his return, but pride keeps her silent
/ for has she not told him her life was endeC
over and over again? And now she find
her life lust begun. She discovers that he
love for Hobart was an infatuation ant
madness born of youth and inexperience
while her love for Leigh is a something
based on respect and tinged with rever
ence
Mrs Leigh is puzzled by the variable
ness of Leslies moods. One day the CIR
sings and laughs with her old-time merri
ment, and the next she is dull and listles'
and sad. She fits from one thing to anoth
er with a rapidity that distracts slew Mrs
Leigh, and no longer repulses the atten
tions of men, but receives them as othel
women receive them; then suddenly be
comes interested in her toilet, dresses hel
hair as Gordon likes it, and tries the etfect
of eolors
Mrs, Leigh accounts for the change IT
the usual woman's way. She feels sun
Leslie Is about to be remarked. and set
ties upon Mr.. Guerdon as the happy wooer
and in the midst of il all Gordon Leigh
comes home. and Is told Mrs. Leighs sus
picions before he has been iuthe house two
hours
IL am very glad Of it, he answers
calmly. And Guerdon Is good fellow,
though just a tr.yle stupid | suppose she
win tell me the whole thing tonight.
Il suppose 50. echoes his mother for
she is fully convinced in her own mind Of
the truth of her assertions, aud faneies
Leslie Is only waiting her sons return to
make her engagement public.
Gordon looks tired and sober when he
joins Leslie in the room with curious dia-
mond- -paued windows. He can scarcely
realize that her marriage is not a dream.
tonight. she seems 50 Ike the child Leslie
that grew iute womanhood under his noof.
Little oue, he says. kindly, the mother
tells me you are quite yourself again. !
am very glad. and if there Is anything you
would ike to tell me. | shall be glad "a
hear it. You must forget those foolish
words Of mine. am quite over that sill
ness now, and am content to b. your friend.
Believe me. litsle one, shall be the first
10 reiOicc over anything thai makes YOU
happy
The girl loaks al him through mist d
tearS. What can be- mean Has be al
ready forgotten her
Gordon, she answers, Il INSIDE ter
rible mistake in the beginning Of my life,
and think I have made anosher.
4Tcll me about II, he says quiesiy.
All she answers, broken, you have
made that impossible.
SIP he asks IN surprise, 4 % not un.
irrssand you,
aNeiIher can explain, she replies
prOsdly
Leslie, says Gordon, armly, Il intend
to know what yoa mean before leave you
- YOU may as web tel me At onoe. Yea
shall not Ercck your hapPiness twice. oi
oourse it + about love, with little. bitter
laagh
-Of course. she answers; aand il al
means nothing, and ends in i,sllishneSs.
Has Mr. Giasrdon bcsn trifing wish
You
Mr.. Gaersl0n Why be h Ia be mar.
riei to Kitty Cleavc next week.
leslie. ! am nos the sOr, Of aan that
woos a woman twice. neither am uf tbs
kind that urge tor what Is denied shem.
hold il ouwarily TO torment woman, for ;
enc means -u0. but al men don't hold
thssc rules. ~ tel uas v hoit Is thss wor-
ries you, and vii call him strictly to &C
count
eHIis naHac Is Gordon Leigh ssid Les
he, avsFtins her faee.
Speak, child, and explain yoanseii. hs
cries I.a,ssionstely. bat she only says, in !
cold, still voice
.'You need No explanation.
sChild. you madden me. CAN'T be POs
sibie that You have learned to love me Al
last Fool that | am 10 imagine Il Ol
course YOU love some other man, and Wan'
me again to give away what ] hold nlos'
precious. Leslie his breath came quIck
and shors-4you are cruel to make ms
suffer 50. Do sou want 10 give me >
glimpse Of heaven that may better realizs
the depths Of hell
aIt Is You that are cruel, Gordon, not |
Then tell me thar you love me, h'
cries.
aYes Gordon, | do love YOU, with al nay
heart and soul and strength Dccs thai
content YOU. Gordon Am cruel now
He kisses her very tcnderly and lead
her 10 her mother
See, mother. be cries. gayly, 'yoal
predictions are verified Leslie Is To b,
remarked.
But where Is Mr.. Guerdon 2 asks the
mother in blank aIaazcment.
II have taken his place, mother. Hay,
YOU any objections !?
We'll well r calculates Mrs Leigh
what blind old goose was
We are all blind At times, mother; but
il doesn't matter since it ends in
''Moonshine whispers Leslie, as tn,
moon shines down upon them.