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

| ing and gay, enters Miss Duran's draw
I ing room. There Is, In spite OF the deb
| Onair manner that distinguishes him,
! and induces all these old young men TO
/ look askancc at him, and grow green
/ with envy, and that causes the quite old
! men TO wink and nudge each other, and
| call him "a sad dOg''-a suspicion Of anx-
| icty that renders his kind eyes melan-
! choly, and makes him favorite at once
! with all the gentle, elderly women.
He Is fashionable looking young
man, exquisitely dressed, and Is, in fact,
such departure from Miss Duran's
drawing room, that he creates IN Inn
mense sensation, that Is only to be sur
passed by the entrance OF lovely young
| woman ten minutes aftcrward, who
sweeps up to Miss Duran with the most
charming smile In the world on her beau
! tiful face.
"Dcar Miss Duran" sho says, slipping
her little gray clad hand into that OF tho
astonishcd spinstcr, 1--WE have been want
| ing TO come and see you for such time
! -auntic and but there have been SO
many other tiresomc engagements. And,
/ after all, IL Is better, Is IL not, to leave tho
/ best to the last!" this with swift glance
at Massareenc that sets his heart a-beat-
/ together; there was some absurd crush
somewhere, and we had promised to go,
/ SO told auntie I wanted to see you even
moro than she did; so packed her of to
| her afternoon and came to mine"
| Her low trainante voice, her pretty
smile, the gentle pressure Of the little
hand, all won Miss Duran's heart at once.
She had met Millicent two or three
times, but now she persuades herself that
they have been good friends for many
/ years. What lovely creature! How
/ nice Of her to come to this dull old
house just TO see stupid old maidl Dear,
dear me, there were not many who would
! do that!
/ Meantime the "lovely creature" IL
taking her tea from Gerald Massareenc's
hands. Tea OF an exquisite flavor AMI
rich with country cream, sent up spec
tally from the heart Of Hampshire for
/ Miss Duran's Wednesdays. Tea served In
priceless old Crown Derby, before which
the modern limitations might hold down
their heads.
Sugar" asks Gerald in society
tone; and then, considerably lower, "my
own darling."
"Eh'" says Miss Grey in return to this
impassioned address. with n startling
In truth. having got here, 10 matter
how, and so acknowledged to Massarcene
that she has thought IL worth her while
TO give up for his sake one Of the most
brilliant concerns of the season, she is
little frightened, little impatient and
yet good deal glad.
"Millicent," says Gerald, dropping into
the chair near her, "that you have come
at NIL is so much more than dared hope
{ for that would now cntrcat you 10 let
my joy continue by being kind TO mo for
the short hour we may be together"
His tone is very sad. in spite of the joy
he mentions. Old Miss Duran, looking
kindly at the two young people who
have descended into her midst and cast
such cloud Of sunshine upon the dull,
stately drawing room, reads rs clearly rs
though it were all in print before her
that this young man-the son of her dead
cousin--is breaking his heart for love of
the pretty slonlcr girl staring SO sol
emily into her tea cup. and that the
pretty girl Is not altogether indifferent
about Il.
''lilcss me. And hear she 10 20 be
married to that nephew Of Lucy brands.
Well. to judge by her face, should say
her heart Is not in il. Poor young things!
Evidently they have entered into the bliss
ful realms OF love. Cupid's darts have
found lodging in their tender breasts"
Sometimes Miss Duran, in spite Of the
ringlc,s, INDUCED in flights Of poetic
fancy. ''ilow romantic! How full OF
pathos, That dear boy!-why, can see
him dwindling away before my eyes
Quite wreck he Is becoming, though art
and his tailor may try to dclude me.
/ Well, must see what can be done. Ger
AID my dear, do you think Miss Grey
would like To see that painting Of your
great grandfather that adorns the west
Z wall Of the libraryi II Is well worth
visit, assure you. my dear Miss Grey.
DO let Gerald persuade YOU 10 look at IL.
\ masterpiece. ! assure you. One OF
I.cly's brightest ctTortsl"
Come" says Gerald, In low cntreat-
ing tone.
: MllliccnG hcsitates for moment, and
then. according TO custom, Is lost.
! She rises, gives her cup TO him TO lay
upon table near, and with u bright
smile and glance directed TO her hostess
follows him out OF the room.
T Although his spirits have risen almost
beyond his control, Mr.. Massareenc be-
havcs himself wonderfully until the hall
is crossed and the library gained. Then,
! I regret to say, he considerably forgets
( himself lie throws honor TO the winds,
and taking Grant Boylc's iiancee ia his
arms, strains her TO his heart.
Darling OF my hcartr' whispers he,
with sigh of passionate gladncss.
At Miss Grcy's conduct on this occasion
! am al>p bound 10 express regret. In
stead of the indignation she should have
shown, she simply pushes HIM away
from her with very lcnicnt hnnd. and
laughs n little.
: WAS there ever such bad boy" says
she. standing back from him with palm
extended I" keep him or. "Arc you to-
tally without gracc!"
son the contrary, am filled with 1t!
| have .;aiuc,l-you."
/ "Galne,lf'
"Mi!llccnt. will you tell me now that
am nothing 10 yOu;"
"Certainly not; yon are always, rs l
hope. my very good friend
II am no, am your lover, or moth
inc"
III Is no, good for womo" t' have
/ two lovers"
"Call l;nylc a lovers Pshaw.' says
j Mr.. Ma. sarccnc with fine contempt.
Compare him with me, aud where nre
you"
"Why hcrcf" says she, laughing. And
then ill NJ on e her Gaycty comes 10 an
I end and her face clouds. ".NlasN cries
| she. "wlat is tu hc the crd of : nlls'
/ ',;t. Gcorgc's. Hanover square," re-
/ turns lac, with un,iim.ui. he'd courage.
Yes; with Grant ~ hrl,!, r""m."
with me, y0u mean. sweetheart,
why can yuu not break all these chains
that bind y"l. and give y"nrseli as !onr
heart directs"
Miss Grey Inns subsidized into tears, and
! n big chair.
"If only dare sobs sho from behind
/ her handkerchief.
At this half admission Mr.. Massar-
Genes hope rises iursylnld.
III you tarcd--what them" he asks,
knccling beside her and possessing h.m-
self of one dainty hand.
II gh,-learn-what happiness really
| means"
"With me, you meant"
"Oh. Gcraldw whispers she; and then