The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-05-07
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
The flesh is weak, all the more so when |
there is no great willingness on the part OF
the spirit to counterbalance it. So it was
in my case; all my good intentions of writ
ing to Mr.. Heavyhand to explain are for
gotten, and l blush to say that Saturday
sees me entering his hospitable doors-an
impostor 1 assure myself that | have
come only to undeceive him, and that |
would not eat of his salt under false pre-
lenses, otherwise the hearty welcome | re-
ceive had been gall and wormwood to my
sensitive spirit.
But how is one to arise and testify in the
middle of a garden party, such as find
in full swing when [ arrive? | had to
accept the situation and make the best of
it-no great hardship, except for con
sciences sake, for the shady lawn is bright
with pretty girls, and Rita herself is a
dream of Summer in her virginia. white
Just touched with vivid green. What joy
to paint her so against the background of
tall lilies
Stunning tennis, hang about her
dainty tea table, seeking an opportunity to
reproach her for not having told me that
''poor dear Uncle George was Mr.. Heavy
hand
Glow should know" she says, laugh
ing, "that he had written to you? Though
might have known that he would hunt
you up sooner or later; he is always on the
track of some new relation"
'.But must explain" l begin. But she
goes on. "Poor dear, he gets dreadfully
taken in sometimes i feel that my guilty
looks must betray me-"he was so pleased
by your letter, and came rushing up to town
to see you at once; it was quite relief to
me when found it was you, a real Heavy
hand, for he is always being so disappointed
with his trouUoi2leS."
The "blush upon my brow may have
passed for conscious merit, but | am ready
to sink into the ground. How is my guilty
confession to be made in the face of such
confidence? However, | am relieved to
find that Rita knows nothing of the nature
of the letter.
The tennis party prolongs itself till late
in the June twilight-starry and perfumed
and, most of the guests staying after din
ner, there issome impromptu dancing in the
big old-fashioned drawing room, and "take
the good the gods provide, and am happy.
Tomorrow should be cast out from Para
disc, for ere sleep my mind is made up;
the first thing in the morning my con
fession shall be made But, alas [
reckoned literally without my host. ''To-
morrow being Sunday, that worthy gentle
man would not hear word about "busi-
ness" as he calls his great work; not a
word was | allowed to say when | broached
the subject, but was trotted off to church
a new experience-with my secret heavy
on my soul.
Then followed a glourious June aftert
noon of "dalliance in the shade" Iforgee
all about being an impostor-"Uncl-
George" was having his afternoon nap in
the library-watching Rita swinging in
her hammock under the big cedar on the
lawn; for ! began to think, to hope-but
| won't make a fool of myself-Rita was
not unkind to me; that is all shall say,
yet.
But at dinner fate overlook me for
there appeared on the scene an sold family
friend, to whom Mr.. Heavyhand present
ed me as a newly found relations indeed
I might be in some way, for all l knew,
for he had never given me a chance to say
who 1 really was The cold eye and
doubtful smile of the "family friend"
struck a chill to my soul. l felt [ was
/ I
the impostor that | was. What if he
should expose; me? Then | should not
have even the virtue of confession TO help
me to retire decently. | should be clicked
out"
Ipassed a wretched evening, being forced
to listen to the old gentleman waxing en-
thusiastic over me and my ancestors. How
could | contradict him then and every
moment made things worse, committing
me deeper and deeper. went to bed
desperate. Tomorrow the deed should be
done; yes, tomorrow
A gloomy guest was | at the morrow s
breakfast table, with the feelings of the
'slast morning of the condemned" The
sight of Rita in her lacy morning CLOWN,
fresh and maidenly, was bitter to me. The
-honored excuse of "headache' had to
account for my detection.
"Oh, dear, that is to bad, cries Rita;
"yOu must be all right to-day. 1 have
begged Uncle George to let you off-and
now, if you have headache, of course you
could not help him with his work-for the
De Brownies have got up picnic, drive
to Cowly Abbey, and you must come.
Here was an added torture. summon
all my resolution not to meet those plead
ing eyes, not to fall. Oh duty, thou stern
goddess, give me strength
81 am afraid really think I must
stay" | stammer What a brute Rita
must think me. She looks hurt and Won
dering at my gracious hesitation, as
though l would not go anywhere with her,
Mr.. Heayyhand strikes in "Centainly
90 by all means. Fact is, l have so much
to do to-day. These heraldry people have
just sent me a mass of evidence about a
contested point in some of our quarterings
in the thirteenth century. | shall be busy
all day.
And the enthusiast, having finished
breakfast, trots off with his arms full of
papers, and l am left in worse plight than
ever,
! sit confusedly regarding my untouched
breakfast, not knowing what to say nor
daring to meet Rita's wondering eyes
What churl she must think me, and al
last, evidently hurt by my strange behavior
she leaves me with considerable dignity tc
get ready for the picnic. How wretched
am How | curse my fate But what
could | do?
What miserable day spent; what {
hcateful picnic it was, from the moment
mounted the De Browness drag in the
morning until We returned in the twilight.
The pretty girls did not please me; the
champagne could not raise my spirits.
hated the ruins we went to see; hated