The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-07-29

Sophy did, but when We got to the vesti-
bule she proposed that we should wait
there for Barker, as it seemed rude to leave
him.
My nerves had been so completely upset
that | didn't care what it seemed, and
told her she could stop if she liked, but l
was going down the steps to look for a
bus | went, and she stayed, staring
about her in an independent way as if the
place belonged to her. felt somewhat
relieved when | reached the bottom step,
and so escaped to some extent from the
curious gaze of the people lounging about
the vestibule Barker has told me scores
of times that people do not look at me, and
that my fear that they do is nothing but
fancy. But, if it is, what difference does
that make? The fancy, if you believe in
it, is as bad as the reality.
Now, Sophy is a very pretty girl, and
standing about alone as she entirely
through her own fault, of course-she be-
came mark for all eyes, and presently
some half-tipsy fellow came up and spoke
to her. She looked at him Indignantly
and he not only spoke again, but caught
her by the arm. Then she screamed
she is just the sort of girl who puts herself
in the way of unpleasantness, and then
screams when it comes-and | remained
on the bottom step in an agony of nervous
ness as to what would happen next.
should have fastened to her help, but
the man was very big, and as he was in
evening dress, | felt sure the sympathies
of the bystanders would be with him. |
did not want to get into trouble either,
and felt that Sophy was almost rightly
served for staying there. Nevertheless, l
hesitated, and l really believe that | should
have risked the consequences and gone to
her in another second, but up came Barker
and asked the fellow what the devil
Barker sometimes uses very violent lang
uage; | have often told him he should be
more careful-he meant by insultinga lady.
failed to catch the reply, but it must
have been unsatisfactory, for Barker
promptly knocked him down. Then the
manager came, and for moment thought
that Barker, who has no discrimination
when he is angry, would knock him down,
too; but he coptented himself with threat
ening to complain to the police about the
way in which the "Gargantuan' was con-
Quoted. | thought the manager would have
given Barker into custody, but he actually
apologized to him, and ordered the other
man off the premises.
Then Barker and Sophy came down the
steps, he swelling like turkey cock, and
she rather pale but apparently proud of
him.
"SOphy," I said, edo make haste, or we
shall miss the last bus
"Mr. Barker" said she, ignoring me
altogether, will you sec me safely home
am sorry to trouble you, but"
Don't mention it, Miss Bell" he inter-
rupted-I think he is the rudest man
know-and they straightway got into a
hanson and left me standing there.
have not seen Sophy since. She told
me, by letter, that I had behaved like a
coward, and that she was very glad she
had discovered my real nature before trust
ing herself to my care for life. The accu-
sation was false, of course-I was only
nervous-but did not condescend to ex-
plain, as after all, married life would have
been expensive, fancy Barker finds it
so-he has married Sophy-for he is 1ot
half as free with the money as he used to
be. He is still the bane of my existence,
though. Just at present he keeps bother
ing me to come down and have look at
his first, and let bygones be bygones.
hate babies-they make me nervous,
especially when they cry-and of course
shall have to buy something for Barker 5;
but for the sake of peace in the Office
suppose l shall have to go some day
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