Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-07-26

ton had been INV brothers guide, phi
iosonher and friend" and IN one way
and another / had heard more than
enough of him all my life, though,
through my having no mother, l hao
never been at Garth when Jetf's TRENDS
visited him. In fact, | had worshlPeu
him secretly and affair otf-trom JeH
desariptions-an made him the nero OF
more than one romance: and now there
he was. sitting in my easy-chalr ana
chatting to me as if he had known me
all my iife-as. indeed, suppose he had
in a way. for jeff surely must have men
toned me TO him.
After asking all sorts of questions
about my brother. he stood u to go,
and desired me not TO forget the story
but then more than ever l resolved not
to write, as no doubt he would accept IL
from mere pity.
Three months passed away, and was
on terms OF almost civllity with my hatea
editor: but had written nothing Tor
the Arlinqton--on that point | was OBJ
stinate-nor had | told Mr.. Cashelton
very much about myself or my own
affairs beyond the first sudden burst OF
confidence, which seemed inevitable.
What | wrote and how l succeeded !
never would talk about, in spite OF
several very insinuating questions But
about jeff would talk for hours. and
he did not seem to weary of the subject,
either.
Sometimes / accompanied him to an
afternoon concert at St. Jamess Hall or
a matinee at the lyceum, and he was al
WAYS very kind and attentive; but never
could get over the fact that he had
laughed at my poetry. Had he laughed
ONLY at myself | should have forgiven and
forgotten it.
One evening he called after he had alb
sented himself for fortnight, and | was
wondering in spite of myself what could
have happened to him. | was about to
call Mrs. Kent to light the gas, though
it was really quite bright, when he
stopped me.
don't ring for lights, he SAID, in his
lazy way; Il want to talk TO you. |
have something very particular to say,
Madeline, and | want to say it to you
alone. Madeline"-and somehow he got
possession OF both my hands, love
you; | want 20 for my wife; | want
to take care of you, dear, if you will let
me-"
Il can't help it, " Returned, feebly and
vaguely
mo, of course not, and don't want
you to- Darling, you must have seen
that | love you, and you must, you
surely must care for me a little In re
turn"
Il don't know" | said, more feebly
still; and the golden opportunity for re-
venge and retaliation was gone forever
| might have been cool and proud,
naughty and defiant. laughed in his face
and told him scorned his love as he had
scorned my poetry; instead of which !
stood trembling and blushing in his
arms, while he kissed my face and called
me all sorts of pretty names, and, IN
spite of mself. | confess liked it. 1t is
humiliating, it is horrid, but it is true
| did love the handsome. hateful editor
Darling, he cried, holding me from
him at arms length. you're vixen
you're too fond Of that vagrant poet
you detest me cordially; still, Madeline,
love you, ana / believe | have loved
you from that day when your presence
made a spot of aunshine in my very
shady editorial den. Some day, perhaps.
YOU will learn to care little about me-"
Six months afterward we were married
at St. Georges, Bloomsbury; and, when
jeff came home and heard all about it.
thought he would have gone out of his
mind with Joy. Now l write what |
please for the arlington and, though
the editor goes over it, he does not dare
alter a syllable, so that In that respect
have gained my point. have conquered
my first editor.