The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-02-23

so tina, relieved against the gray of her
simple gown, | could note the fine y-cut
profile: the clustering, crested hair, the
sweeping mustache beneath which, some
how, one recognized the sweetness and
pathos of the mouth.
If this was my landlord, then | knew
that | stood in the presence of an equal
If the woman by his side was NJ. r., then
knew that | had rightly OWNED her to
be a gentIewoman-in every best sense and
meaning of which that significant old-fash-
toned word is capable.
Malcolm, she said, 'this IS our new
lodger-Mr. AlIardyce"
He rose from his place and stood there
facing me in the sunshine strange. pa
the,ie figure, blighled and blasted in the
very noontide and heyday of his manhood.
His hand, long, fine, pallid with the en-
forced iuaction to which his afiliction bound
him. Was stretched out toward me, and |,
acting on an impulse as irresistible Is prompt,
met aud grasped it with mine.
I'VE are glad to see YOU he said.
''You have a lovely day for you first among
Us"
I'VE are glad to see you. The words
struck me strangely.
she Is there, the very eyes of him, -
thought. Through her he sees the
world.
As turned to his companion and shook
hands with her in turn, | met her sad.
sweet, graceful hook, which in a moment
struck chord Of sympathy between u;
chord that never in the future knew a note
Of discord. Now that | was nearer To
Margaret Il knew her by no more def
mate name So far-I saw that she was a
much older woman than had at tirsi sight
supposed. but had preserved the essence ot
vou,hfuluess by some subtle power within
herself Later ON learned that this
power was the intensity Of love with which
she had merged her own personality in
that Of ano,her-shc husband To whom she
va light, life, everything. We three
moved on toward the house where through
the Opcu window my breakfas, showed
tomptingly. NJ K toying With bundle Of
lavender spears thar she had gathered aud
-et in her waist bel, Under her touch
they gave out more generously sheir pun
gear perfume, and - Cor ever and ever
this holiday jannl Of mine came 10 be
thoaghi Of and remembered hy me IS
Amoag the Lavender
Considering my blindness, | can disiin-
guish where people ara pretty we'll, said
he q tbs Old shaoling ctat- eNoa soe. !
foand gu, your whereabouts by the sound
o. your steps, even on the grass.
This outspoken reference In bis eondi-
ton surprised me /, whose work in life
i to write aueu'iy, and therefore ought TO
b., TO so'ne extent at al events, ready Of
speech, was dumb
The whole thing soomed 20 sd aud had
come upou me % unexpectedly
Nr Ru,hyen rather pridss himself
apon his achievements you see, said VI.
r. whom | nov knew For Mrs Ru,hvcn,
snd she smiled. bat have seen tears less
sad. | think she saw my trouble and
recognizing tia, /, vas for her husbands
sakc. accepted it as a pleasant gift Al,
least that was wha, her eyes seemed to
fash 10 mine across those sightless ones
But shat she said was this
@You will ike % know about the fishing,
viii you no'
| asscntsd, and then with grave bow
she led her blind husband into room ON
the other side Of the passage TO mine.
Seated a, nv solitary breakfast table !
vas more ready to ponder on what had
brAII AMA -SNu tAAH ~ NAA-
There was 80 much pa,hos 10 me III that
+ old shooting coat /, was a shooting coat.
+ No man who loyes his gun eau mistake a
carmen, Of that kind. So i. had not been
80 very long since that this man RuIhven
some years younger than myself, as
+ have aid. even now-had been hale and
strong. and able to follow manly sports and
pastimes. Perhaps he loved the touch OF
the old brown.ribbed yelycteen, because II
called to his mind those days Of light and
liberty.
On his hand had noticed a ring, a
plainly-set, deep-red eornelau, aud a strange
fancy took me-born, no doubt OF my
story-wcaying trade-that it was like a
drop of his very hearts blood, shed like :
tear distilled by bitterest pain. am SURE
the rosy-faeed maid who brought in my
rasher and toast thought | was a very baC
ease indeed, aud should need whole gallons
of milk warm from the COW, before
began to ''look up, ike the other interest
ing dodgers at Orchard Farm had done
Later in the day fonnd that in the
quaint, old-world garden which appertainec
to Mr.. and Mrs, Ruthven's abode were tive
apple trees. and betwixt their guarded bolei
hammock, swaying gently in the gentl'
breeze. Extended in this sylvan nest,
watched my cigarette smoke steal u
among the branches; counted the apple
just beginning to grow rosy on one rounC
cheek: listened to the hum of the bees IL
the tall hollyhocks hard by; struggled t.
discipline my thoughts so that they should
not go straying after making copy out o.
nv surroundings-which, however, it is t.
be seen now they did-and finally sen
myself off to sleep with my own castl'
building.
The sudden laugh and chuckle of {
thrush in cherry tree just behind my
head woke me, and for moment wa
puzzled to know my own whereabouts, anc
why on awakening from slumber, | haC