Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-02-11
.ouss I eouldn,. act--but can't your, h.


laughed. '.Oh, no! l am too old;
couldn't" Aud Howard answered:
.How absurd, Miss Carmen; you know
yOu''- And then stopped embarrassed.
lie knew she was older than he; hc had
dcplored that often, especially OF late.
lie was afraid perhaps she looked down
on him. lie did pDt care about age. 81 am
getting SO discouraged" she went on, ~
am always trying to help or do good In
some way, but I don't seem to succeed.
My way Is not the right one; I've over
done It. People are getting tired Of my
subscription lists. II I could only do
some honest work myself" An idea was
forming In Towards mind, one full OF
hope. lie could give her the opportunity
she wished for. His age ought not TO no
o stumbling block; he was sure he could
not love her more dearly were he twenty
or thirty years older than he was-and
just then u young lady was announced.
"Oh, Annicr' exclaimed Miss Carmen,
"I'm SO glad you've come; am In tho
greatest trouble. Will you help me!"
"Of course will II I can, but you must
tell what 1t Is before l promise, and
warn you beforehand, refuse to bc Re-
becea and sell lemonade, and on no nc.
count will dress myself up for u Japan
Csc woman. did Il once and IL was too
hideously unbecoming; now tell me-
II only want you," continued Miss Car
men, ito take part In u little play to DO
given privately hcre-O, excuse nie, Mr..
lioward-Miss Gordon, my rector, Mr..
Howard. ! am so upset, you know,
quite forgot myself. The play Is for"-
1.-THE Mexican Indians" Miss Gordon in.
tcrrupted; ~ knew Il; well, why don't
you ask Grace Henley"
~ did, and she refused"
"Bell Matthews then, she acts"
"ier mother wont let her."
"Why not, Mrs. Porter"
"Hcr husband doesn't approve"
GLOW absurd! What's the matter with
Sue Towcry'
"Oh, her physician has forbidden her
lcting, and you're the only one left;
wouldn't ask you for ! know you aro
very busy, but am getting desperate.
Miss Gordon said she would do what
she could, and took the play book homo
with her, though she told Miss Carmen she
couldn't promise TO be credit 10 her.
She agreed too to find man for her Wis.
i-vis, and left her friend radiant once
more. "You don't know what u load
you've taken of my mind" the latter
said TO Annie, as she went away with Mr..
Howard, forgetting how long he WIS
holding her hand until Annie coughcd.
Miss Gordon told her mother that night
II there was not so great difference In
their ages she would think there was
something between them.
But the next day-well. Miss Carmen
said she would have 10 laugh, II she did
not she would have to cry again, II WIS so
crushing. II reminded her Of the time
she had beautiful portierc embroidered
TO rattle for the benefit of some poor mis-
sion, and the minister, who was opposed
10 raillcs, persuaded her they were wrong.
No one was willing 10 pay what the por
.iere was worth. 80 IL ended In her buying
il herself and giving up her Washington
trip that winter. Now today the noon
mail brought letter from Annie Gordon,
who wrote TO know why in the world She
didn't tell her there was singing in the
part, and asking her II she did not know
that she, Annie, could not sing note.
And In the same mail came letter from
the brother of Mr.. White, who had been
her stand by all through, saying his
brother had the measles, and 80, Of
course, would not be able, etc. The the
airicals looked dubious. In the midst Of
her CONSERVATION Mr.. Howard arrived on
the scene. She gave him u trembling
hand, and was rs frightened rs could be
lest she should cry. lie told her almost
Immediately what he hal come 10 ask.
II know I'm young" he s,ammcrcd.
40, no!' she interrupted, II am old. -"
Dut what followed is theirs, not ours. nor
Mrs. Browns. who said afterwards:
"What is the man thinking Of? She's old
enough TO lie his mothcr!' She was not
really, though what II She were II they
loved each other.
AS Howard started TO leave nj dusk,
after he and Miss Carmen had fully dis
eusscd the advantages Of Mexico for u
honeymoon and for work. she said TO him:
at will he wedding instead Of thcat-
ricals."
''ycs. ard you will play shc heroine
after ALL" he answered.
"If you'd like 10 have me aSk Miss Cor
ion"-but she never finished that srccch.
William Clyde Fitch IN New York
News.