Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-07

upon his shoulder.
"Don't cry like that, Milliceri." says
he. ut will all come right In the crd
Something tells me So" Something tells
him quite the reverse: but lac wonld not
be the true lover he Is IL he could not
strain n point to please his beloved.
"What we have got 20 do now is to think
what Is the first, best step to be taken"
1.-THE first, best step will mean ruin"
There is touch Of impatiencc IN hor
tone. Although she loves him. IL IL
hard for her 60 give up the gildcd loaves
and fishes OF fashionable life.
at will not," rctorts he stoutiy: at
will mean emancipation If you have tho
pluck to go through with it,"
"Oh! emancipation" says she disdain.
fully, though she IL glad Of his rcsolute.
ness. "All you Irishmcn are mad about
freedom! One would think you were q
land Lacquer the way you speak. won
der you are not afraid to love one OF the
hated Sassenachs."
~ am not afraid Of anything except
your strength OF mind. You are mine
now, but will you be mine an hour
hencey"
"If were a man," says Miss Grey rc-
fiectively, ~ should not choose 10 fall in
love with woman upon whom ] could
place no dependence"
'If I were woman" responds no
promptly, II should know better ihau 70
marry one man when loved another"
"Well, but you are not woman" "
says she triumphantly.
Neither nrc you n man," replies he.
"That squares our accounts. Sweet
heart" regarding her very graycly,
"tell me at least that you will think
seriously Of my proposal"
''I am always thinking of IT," returns
she, signing. "oh! why are not you
Grant,"
1.-THE gods forbid:' says he piously
81 am better man rs stand, though no
doubt n poorer one. Well, however the
wind blows, AN happier fellow to-day
than ever expected 10 be. Ihavc heard
from your own lips that you love me-"
"Do not place too much confidence In
that"
"You will not deny the truth Of it,
however,"
"No. IL Is true. You are more to
me, Gerald, than any man ever have
mct-than any man I ever shall meet"
Her eyes grow large and dim with
tears. She holds out her hand TO him.
strengthened by such an assurance,
will believe in nothing less than victory" p"
replies he, in n clear. resonant voice, his
face bright with hope thai ut this mo-
mcnt has grown into certainty.
Millicen;, watching him, feels her heart
grow sad. "Will not the weight Of cir
cumstances, Of custom, prove too strong
for hims
"I must go home," she says, starting u
little.
Good by then for the present, dnrl-
ing, whispers he proudly. H. draws her
10 him and looks down anxiously into
her face. 4 question seems lowering on
his lips At Inst he gives IL words.
"Do-tlo you ever kiss him" asks he in
jcrky, vehement way that speaks Of
suppressed agony.
"Ncvcr:" returns she almost as vc!,c-
mcntly.
She flushcs crimson. Massarccnc's
arms tighten round her, and nm express
sion OF unspcekablc relief alters his face.
II cannot tell you how often I have
thought Of that, how It has prcyed upon
me-" he cxclaims eagerly "And after
all, the torment endured had no foun-
dntion." lie looks tcndcriy down uron
her. My love, you sccm more mine
now than cvcrr' Then his tone changes
aud an accent Of scorn unmitisnied runs
through il. Evidently his thoughts nre
wandering 10 some one absent "What
sort OF fellow was he ut ALL" says he,
with curl Of his lips.
4 faint smile breaks through the sad.
ness Of Mill.ccnt's face.
Would you have had him different
them" she asks, with slight return OF
her usual gayety.
Different. DO you know" says he
presently, "that I don't think dislike
him now half as much Us did five min
utcs ago." Then pressing HIS check to
hers. and speaking in much lower tone,
and yather shyly, "Milliccnt. will you lie
kinder Ia me than you are to him!"
"llavc not been kinder" asks she,
family.
bat kindcr-kinder stilly"
Slir lifts her face tn his!