The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-05-02

long after her departure, and as he drove
home to the temple he began to have doubts
whether he hadn't made a great fool of
himself, and whether he hadn't behaved
badly toward her after all The following
morning he half made up his mind to run
down to Harrow and make peace with her,
but then the devil within him whispered
that it would be showing great want of
firmness in so doing, and that it was her
place, as the wrongdoer to plead for for
giveness, and his, as the injured party, to
grant it. And so he allowed the day to
90 by, hating himself and all the world,
thoroughly wretched and ill at ease. He
expected she would write, admitting her
fault. But no letter came. And now,
when we see him the second morning after
the dance, he has been again disappointed
When he came from his bedroom he found
three or four letters beside his plate, but
none from Mabel. He is in fix, and
does not know what to do.
sits her place to write, not mine, he
tells himself, "and yet I'll be hanged if [
90 through such another day as yesterday
fors all the pride in the world; perhaps [
was wrong after all, and it was her fathers S
doing. Poor little darling, | was wrong,
and It's no good saying wasn't. | be-
haved like brute; she didn't care for that
fellow, I'll bet my life on it. I'll go down
to Harrow to-day. By Jove won't it be
grand making up again, dnaantium ire
aneoris, DC Those old Latin dogs knew
what spooning meant. But | won't stand
any more of the old mans humbug, or he'll
be making some real mischief. I'll run
home as soon as [ get chance, talk it over
with the Governor, and see if we cannot
arrange matters so that | can be married
this Long Hullo, hope that's not sum-
mons for chambers, as there was knock
heard at his door. "Well, Rogers, what is
it ?" to his clerk, who entered.
"a parcel and note, Sir"
ePut the parcel on the table, and give
me the note; thank you, that will do"
"From Mabel, at last, he exclaimed, as
he reads the direction in the hand that he
knows SO we'll II knew she'd write, and
it was just as well I didn't go down yester-
day, after all. !"
"What's this ~ as he opens the sheet
and reads as follows:
SIR: After your conduct toward me at
Mrs Laneham's dance it is evident | have
been mistaken in your affection for me; your
studied rudeness was remarked by many, and,
after what has occurred, it is clear that you
wish our engagement to cease. Indeed, there
is no other course left open and the bearer of
this will deliver parcel containing the pres
ents you have given me at various times. l
may mention that my father quite approves of
the course am taking, and has seen this let
ter. Of course, we shall not expect to see
YOU again at Harrow. | remain, yours, &c.
MABEL LINTON.
ssGood heavens she can't mean it, is
all he says, as he finishes reading, and then
sits gazing into the fire, lost in thought for
long while, without uttering sound.
Half an hour has passed before he rises
with deep sigh.
"W ell, that's all over, l suppose, and
she's no better than the rest of them. A
real live lord is more attractive than a
struggling commoner, and coronet will
send true love to the right about any day.
But | didn't expect this of Mabel; l did
think she was true grit. Where are these
precious presents [ was fool enough to waste
nv money on? What shall | do with
them ? Sell them? No, | don't think,
after all, I could do that; they were hers
once. No, can't sell them. Confound
it / I'm getting childish over them; there,
90 up on that SHELF putting them in an
unoccupied division of his bookcase; "you'll
serve as memento of where my loves
been put, if [ should ever want one; and
now for those pleadings."