The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-12-25

great apparent lHCeTeSt
"I viii take this" he said, selecting the
ugliest.
"How much will you have2" inquired
Hetty, examining the price marked on the
block.
"About-I suppose about five or six
feet"
"We sell it by the yard"
"Oh, by the yardl Excuse my ignorance.
Five yards, if you please; or"-seeing her
look Of surprise-"say tenor twelve"
A dozen yards! There were only three
left upon the block; but it made no differ
ence he said-he would take them, And
then, pulling out q plethoric pocket-book,
he produced a ten-dollar bill.
~ am afraid l cannot change it, said
Hetty.
On this he began to search his pockets
for change; his eyes all the time wandering
to Hetty. When he had paid for the
purchase he still fingered.
"Will you have anything else?' feeling
that she ought to say something.
"Well-I would like IA bonnet.
"Is it for young or an old lady p she
gravely inquired, turning to the bonnet
stand, and mentally wondering who and
what this strange customer could be.
''I really don't know-that is"
And here he seemed to realize how oddly
he was speaking, and there was touch Of
humor in his voice. As to his face, what
with the slouched hat and the heavy beard
aud moustache, nothing could be seen oft
except a straight nose and two deep bright
eyes in the shadow of his hat brim.
"The lady is young" he said; "about
twenty-six."
That was Hetty's own age.
aPerhaps this would do" she said hold
ing up bonnet.
Eyes; will take it, d"-looking vag-
uely around-'sone of those-ah-''
"Widows' caps,' exclaimed Hetty, cast
ing an anxious glance toward the street.
door.
"H'ml yes-and those flowers p
"That is bridal wreath.
II will take it..
sely the man was either deranged or
amusing himself as~her expense! She
would step to the door and caA in a police
man.
But as she cautiously glided around the
end of the cQupteF the customer turned
also, until his face was fully exposed to the
light.
Then he lifted his hat, and she saw a
pair of blue eyes gazing upon her with a
look which thrilled her.
sPhilip she gasped, breathlessly.
$50 YOU DO know Inc at last, Hetty p
and he held out his hands a was afraid
you had forgotten me.
With both her hands clasped in his, she
looked up to him, her eyes full of tears.
II have not fhEgottea you, Philip. "It
was only that you are SO changed-haye
grown go large, and have that heavy beard. "
''I shall look more like myself when the
beard is cut off, And you, Hetty-you
have not changed, except that you are less
of girl and more of woman"
At this moment Mrs. Mullen returned.
Hetty introduced her customer as an old
friend, whom she was very gladto have ac-
cidently met with; and Mrs. Mullen, glanc-
ing at the two, intuitively comprehended
the situation, and considerably invited
them into her parlor out of the cold shop.
81 have only just arrived in the city,
Philip explained, "and was on my way to
hotel when l fortunately CHANGED to see
Miss Thorne at the door."
"And dare say you haven't had your
supper, sir?" said Mrs. Mullen. off my
arm weren't so badly scalded, I should be
very glad to offer you and Miss Thorne a
cup of tea
''He shall take his Christmas supper
with me, said Hetty
And she led the way upstairs to her little
pagloF where Polly, in her patched dress
and gorgeous top Knot, was keeping guard
over the turkey.
She welcomed them with grin of de-
light. Miss Hetty had got company at
last, and she herself was to wait on the
table, in all the importance of that exalted
Office.
Standing in front Of the little stove Philip
turned, and needless of Polly's presence,
again took Hetty's hand.
aThank God that have found you, )" he
said
She looked up with blush, and eyes
filed with happy tears
WWhat made you stay SO long, Philip p
Because-shall confess it, Hetty p
I heard you were to marry Abel Harper
He wrote to me that you and he were en-
gagged"
aAnd you believed it2" she said, re-
proachfully.
"Forgive me- l came home, when !
learned how | had been deceived. I am
nolonger the idle, poverty. stricken, good for,
naught that Uncle Stephen justly consid-
cred not worthy of his niece mean that
We shall be very happy in the future to
make up for the past Where are Tom
and my little Lily p
She told him.
'They must come home. I shall have
employment for Tom. There shall be nc
more trouble for you and them, my poor
darling, if I can help it.
And he drew her to him and kissed her
Polly, forgotten, but intensely observant,
fairly wriggled with delight. Surely, Miss
Hetty going to be married to that nice gen.
tleman; and things had turned out for the
best, anyway,
"After all" said Hetty to herself, as,
two hours later, she sat gazing with look
of dreary happiness into the glow of the
little stove-aafter all, troubles may be
'all for the best, though we may not know
it at the time"
She mused little, and smiled to herself.
eff had not been called down by Mrs.
Mullen, he would never have seen me; and
but for that accident with the gravy be
would have found me looking my worst in
that dowdy green dress. How glad / am, .
glancing toward the mirror, 'sthat / was
forced to put on this And perhaps, :
here she hesitated little and blushed--