The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-02-27

or old Meeting emOtiOn cross MS Iace-a
look of surprise, almost gladness, light up
his fine eyes? Maude was sure she had
never met him before, and yet, as she re-
turned his gaze for moment, feeling as
of half-forgotten memory came over her.
Unable to analyze the feeling, or indeed,
comprehend it, she turned to respond to
request for dance, and at the same instant
the distinguished guest stepped aside to ac-
knowledge an introduction to some new ac-
quaintances.
Twenty minutes later, as Maude stood
conversing with her partner, Mrs. Reming-
tons voice greeted her ear
"Maude, my love, Mr. Wentworth
wishes to be introduced to you"
And looking up, she encountered again
the earnest gaze of the handsome visitor.
A request for the next dance followed
the introduction; then a promenade; and
then. almost before she was aware Mr..
Wentworth had secured all the disengaged
dances on her card. His conversation,
animated, varied, fluent, had at the same
time certain undercurrent of deep, even
intense feeling, that lent strange charm
to his most commonplace words, and sent
subtle thrill to the very heart of the fair
girl. 1t seemed as if there existed kin
dred chord between them-a chord long
silent, yet living still, and which thrilled
with every vibration of his voice, making
her feel, ere that short evening was past,
as if he had been friend of years-a
loved and valued friend-rather than
stranger whom she was meeting for the
first time.
Mr.. Wentworth learned, in the course OF
their conversation, that Miss Granger was
spending the winter in town, being on
visit to relatives and he further asked
and obtained permission to call upon her.
He did call, many times; and at length,
one evening, he said, in the course of
long and earnest conversation, "Miss Gran
ger. ever since our acquaintance began, l
have been wanting to tellyou story. Let
ME tell it now.'
Drawing his chair closer to where she
sat, Ralph Wentworth began a tale with
most of which the reader is already familiar.
Then continuing, he said:
"One day there came to that young
man letter, containing the notice of
bequest of ten thousand pounds, from
distant relative, lately deceased That
money, with what he had saved in those
five years, completed the purchase of
claim that was the beginning of his fortune.
Step by step he mounted the ladder OF life
once more, until he commanded wealth,
influence and friends, and better than all,
clear and honorable record. Then he
came back to his native land to find her
Who had been his good angel all those
wears. Perhaps she had forgotten the
man to whom her sweet, childish sympathy
had been a talisman and blessing, for he
had not even told her his name; but some
thing whispered to him that he would find
her again, and find her heart free.
Maude," he continued, taking the hand
that trembled in his grasp, "through all
those wears that innocent kiss of warm,
affectionate heart has lain pure upon his
lips, the solace of my lonely life. Tempta-
tions 1 had many, but that little face was
present with me always. | could not
look in those pure eyes and sin. On the
| day Wnen ner lJule nduu poihICu ouO OnO
way to better life, she promised that if |
came back again, and could say to her
that had tried to do my duty, to be
good and useful man, she would kiss me
again. have kept my faith, have earn
estly striven to retrieve youthful folly that
had not become vice. And now will the
woman redeem the promise of the child?
Will she raise her lips to mine in another
kiss-a kiss that shall tell me she will be
my life's good angel-my cherished and
honored wife?'
For moment Maude's voice failed her.
Back over the years memory swept, bring
ing up every detail of that memorable in
terview, and she now knew the subtle
sympathy which had seemed from the first
to bind them together. A new voice
seemed speaking to her now; one to which
her heart responded with great and
solemn joy; and reading his answer in her
face upraised to him in one feeting glance,
Ralph Wentworth drew her to his heart
o,J L,ssaJ how