The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-09

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sure that [ made no mistake in interpret
ing the best course for your happiness"
. And then, with few more warm, pas
sionate and affectionate words of farewell
the letter closed.
Two years have passed, and the little
world which had known Chester Thorley
so well once knew him no more He had
entirely disappeared. 1t were as though
the sea had opened and swallowed him up.
Marion Willoughby was Marion Will
loughby still If she suffered, she made
no sign, but those who had seen the one
sparkling stone, which had been the pledge
of her engagement to Chester Thorley, no.
ticed that she wore it still, and Others yet
more narrow watchers, observed that al
ways, when she entered a crowded room,
she would take hasty glance about as
though expecting to find some one not
there.
She was as yet but twenty-five, belle
and beauty still. The third winter Of
his absence she went to spend several weeks
with an aunt
II cannot spare you, her father had
said, when the invitation came.
But she, going close to him, and laying
her head a moment on his breast, had said:
''I think, papa, it would be best"
They were simple words, but he inter
preted them Alright. The old wound would
not cease its bleeding. She wanted to go
amid new scenes, so he only kissed her, and
bade her remember that the old father
awaited her return.
s'You have not been through the steel
works. some one said to her one day. at
really is a most interesting sight. Will
you join a party, if we make up one to
visit them, Miss Willoughby?"
"With pleasure" she answered, lightly.
And her aunt, charmed with the success
of her beautiful niece, smiled at Clay Clay
toms numerous devices to ensnare Marion S
society. He was the great porti of the
place. She had heard something of some
early disappointment in Marion's life. 1t
would be splendid triumph thus to OBJ
literate it, and already she felt quite sure
that the fiat lay in the girls own hands.
The morning appointed for the expedi-
ton dawned beautiful and bright. They
seemed indeed like drones, intruding upon
some busy hive of workers, as they entered
the great building and looked about them.
Department after department they visited,
watching with great interest the delicate,
subtle machinery and its wonderful work
ing.
Marions check flushed with interest,
and Clay Clayton, noting it, thoug ht he
never had seen her look so beautiful.
To-day he determined he must speak,
when suddenly he heard a little cry, and,
glancing up, saw her standing quite apart
from the group, her eyes ablaze, her lips
quivering.
At little distance from her, adjusting
some pieces of machinery, was man IN a
workman's blouse. Her cry also attracted
him, and he looked up.
Their eyes met. His face grew deathly
pale, but he gave no other sign Of recogni-
ton. She went straight toward him, OBJ
vious of all, with hand outstretched.
'sChester p she said, in a voice scarce
louder than whisper. 'At last"
He bowed low in response, and took no
notice of her hand; but the old dauntless
pride was in the uplifted head and fearless
glance.
''Did you know that was here?" she
questioned.
"No," he replied; II am no longer in
your world"
"You will come and see me?'
II cannot"
| Here his voice broke a little.
ssMr. Clayton she said, "let me present
my friend, Mr.. Thorley."
Spite of the innate breeding Of the man,
some of the instructive surprise at hearing
a steelworker addressed by Miss Willough-
by as friend, made itself apparent in the
manner he yet strove to conceal.
Then the party passed on. He wonder
ed. however, why Marion fingered mo-
ment in the office to address the superin-
tendent some question as they came out
into the air. He had meant, too, to ask
her, on the way home, the question which
all the day, and for many days, had been
trembling on his lips, but there was new
expression in ker eyes and about her mouth
which instinctly told him that this was not
the time to plead the cause.
Had that fellow inside, who bowed 50
like gentleman, been other than work
man, he might have suspected him as IN
some way responsible. 1t was quite sin
gular enough as it was that Miss Willough-
bv should have addressed him as friend.
Doubtless some man who had seen better
days, and for whom she felt womanly
sympathy.