Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-21
would not marry him, even IL he had .hc
grace TO ask me-"

huu eVu VIII utcE VthkCNAIs
'1'imc will prove that"
She laughs at him little saucily from
under her long lnshes, and holds out to
him hand with such dainty sweetness as
brings him TO her feet at once.
"My darling girl"'
"a darling girl, no doubt; but not
yours yet, however"
"And why not, since you are frcci'
81 was quite free all along, It sccmsr'
exclaims she with u quick flash Of
wounded pride that brings the hot blood
to her checks. She springs from her seat
and PAGES rapidly up and down the room.
Presently she stops short before him, and
lifts her dark, angry eyes TO his. 81
wonder you have not too much pride to
care for the woman who was dcspiscd by
that thief" she says, with angry excite
ment.
az care for Milliccnt Grey. Its absurd
TO dwell upon such thing" returns he
strongly.
''Shall ever forget It, I wonderful be
rejected by such rs him! To learn from
his own lips that was merely used as
blind; that while paying attention to me
his whole heart and soul was devoted to
anothcrr'
"l'ut what n soul and heart! you should
consider that"
"Thc mcaner they are, the more | re-
sent his conduct. And 10 saw II before
them all.-my aunt, Lady Valworth. Sir
Thomas, you. When he thus scorncd me
publicly, with that evil smile upon his
lips, had only one wish left"
"And THAR"
"That I were man, to thrust the words
back In his throat and kill him."
"And yet you held me from him at the
moment. He is still in the house, how
ever. I will compel him to apologize
to- begins the hot lrishman, making
for the door.
"No, II would be useless" intcrposcs
she, quickly at ID done II cannot be
undOnc, and surely his mother has .ufrcrcd
Z enough. There must be no further dis
turbancc."
~ can follow him, however"
~ tell you, you could never undo what
Is done. Let him go; he is not worth
notice. should be ashamed to confess
that his sting hurt me. And we arc
hound to remember his mother"
.Ah! poor Lady valworth! She indeed
Is the ono to be pitied."
80 you would say, could you see her
now"
"whcre is she!''
"In her own room. Sir Thomas was
with her His grief for her was very
touching, hut she seemed, thought. i'm
patient under IL. She looked old, crushed,
brOkenr'
Milliccnt turns aside, hut not before he
can see that the hot tcars are running
down her checks.
"POor wOman!" srys he softly. And
then: MY darling, you are worn out
You have been think 'ng for every one.
81. a..
rest. Let me persuade you To- lie down
for little while"
at would DC useless. corld not sleep.
The very air is heavy with trouble. As
long rs that man remains In the house
hardly know how any Of MS can breathe.
"Tlint difficulty will be conquered In
few hours. lie will leave, Of course. by
the early train.
~ suppose so. His poor mothcr.''
"Millicent. Try to forget Il all for
awhile at least. Think Of something
: else hc pauses and looks ut her en-
trcatingly. "Could you not think of
mc.''
III hadn't you 10 think of should 20
mad." returns she, with sudden soft vchc-
mcncc. She holds oat her hands To him.
"Eou arc my one comfort" she whispers
bro.cnly.
Thy do not hear the door open, and in
,lec, she Is still in his arms when Mrs.
nr&nG's voice falls on their ears.
''Is this what you call taking little
rcst'!" she asks, with deep rcprOach.
There IL, however, no anger In her mes
--hc looks too sad too tcprcs 'e,l for any
open demonstrations Of annoyance.
"Mrs. Brand" says Mass lrccnc, ad-
vancing eagerly toward her. ''you know
IA l. al.
must have known for n long time. Now
that this unhappy affair has left her once
again her own mistress. do not refuse 10
let me plead my cause"
Mrs. brand has sunk into chair.
"Ion are very persistent" she says,
tapping her fingers upon the table near.
''Bccausc am very much In love"
"And Milliccnty"
~ dare To hope that she-has found
some rOOE In her heart for me-"
''l.ct her speak for herself" says Mrs.
Brand, with faint touch of impaticncc.
"Wcll. Milliccnt, how is II with you,"
II love him, auntic," says Miss Grey
dcmurcly. ~ can't help that, can !,
And-I wouldn't II could! lie IL not
rich, Of course, hut money isn't every
thing. have been very lutifnl up Ia
this That You must allow"
She says nothing Of the secret passages
between her and Massarcenc, and of the
determination lately come to- to defy
the world of relations for his sake
"Oncc you chose for mel
She pauscs. Mrs. Brand sighs.
"That choice was not altogether
happy"
sim Mrs Brand Is silent.
~ think perhaps II were TO choogc for
s,.Neaf flfu afs,. ~ srf.,l,l In haitian ~
At this her aunt rouscs herself.
~ had hoped To see you make u great
alliance" she says EOurnfully. You,
with your fortune, nnd-and that unfurtu
nate young man, with his prospect Of ~.
.arldom. All Il shattered now. Every
thing Is at an end. but still there would
be n brilliant future before you f.
'I shall not give mp Gerald" says !lil-
licent, drawing back fron her somewhat
collly. "You and Uncle Timothy can
leave your money to whom you will;
shall certainly marry Gerald"
Aiassarccnc, coming forward, takes her
hand and lifts Il 10 his lips. There II u
great warmth and gladncss In the gaze
hc directs at Mrs Brand.
Perhaps she gives It its value. So true,
so unmcrcenary love as this II not Ia he
tlcspised In the money worshiping world
In which she moves
"Of course. II YOU have quite made MP
your mind" she says with hesitation,
looking ut Millicent. There l. something
new and beautiful in the girls face TINT
attracts her. Love has transilgurcl i'll
After all II may he best for her darling TO
abiurc ambition and clcave only Ia lore.
"You will bc good TO her, Gcraldi" she
says In n low voice.
MnsSarcenc, who Is looking grave, re-
CARDS her earnestly.
"I shall always love her" he says, "if
that II what you mean"
"You give your consent, nuntict" asks
Milliccnt, kneciing on the carpet beside
her aud encompassing her with her arms
"Ycs. My mcddling resulted in sodire
failure I dare not try II again. nm
glad you have chosen man who. II poOr,
il at least one who believe will nalc
you happy. One, too, whom ] like and
esteem. Ahi my dear Ia he able "a re-
ano,e rnERR hnahmnI Ia fsFssal matter