The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-05-20

more than halt frightened.
"Its DIR. Wilson," she said family.
"Oh, Laura, you don't know how silly and
timid | feel. suppose l must see him..
"You'll have to see him some time,
Miss Gray replied calmly. "You may as
well get over the awkwardness of the first
meeting as soon as you can.
When Adelaide got into the drawing
room she found that her mother had turned
on the full flow of her affability for the
benefit of the explorer of Borneo. How
nice it was of him to find time to see his
friends at Knagford They had all been
so interested in reading about him in the
papers. And when would his book be
ready? etc., etc.
DIR. Wilson made the appropriate replies
to these effusions. He seemed very grave
and little formal, Adelaide thought. He
greeted her quietly, and when she had had
time to recover from her inward tremors
she noticed his tint of bronze and how well
it suited him.
Mrs. Liburne, after he had left, broke
into ecstasies of admiration.
so handsome and dignifed, you know
And this is his first call in Knagford. We
must have George down from Plymouth
and give dinner party
At dinner, too, when Maud returned
rather late from tennis party, Dr. Wilson
was still the theme.
'The Lamberts were talking of nothing
else" she cried at seems he is very rich
as well as famous He's got lots of shares
in some new company or something. The
Lamberts are very glad that he was their
doctor when he was here before. Bella
remembers him very well; he came when
she had the mumps."
Later on Mr.. Chessall came and brought
heap of newspapers, from which he read
extracts relating to the exploits of the re-
Gently returned traveller. He had also
read up the article "Borneo" in an ency-
clopedia, and was able to give good deal
of information about the island. Mrs.
Lilburne was immensely interested. Ade-
laide listened almost in silence, and when
taxed with being absentminded, put forth
the plea of headache.
She wandered about the garden with her
lover as usual, and when they parted she
received his customary enthusiasm as to
the approaching day with responsive
smile. But all the time the image of the
tall figure and bronzed face of the great
traveller was fitting before her mental
vision.
''Does he remember ?" was the question
that agitated her doubtful mind. And
then she wondered if he had been told of
her engagement to Mr.. Chessall.
CHAPTER III.
Adelaide met DR.. Wilson several times
during the next week, for Knagford was
effusivcly hospitable to the famous travel
! Ter. and he showed himself the most ami
able of lions and accepted every invitation.
But at these gatherings o'clock teas
and tennis parties and dinners-there was
no opportunity of private speech. Mr..
Chessall was generally by the side of his
betrothed, and what was passing in DIR.
Wilson's mind could only be guessed at
But on the day after Mrs. Lilburnes s
dinner the expected explosion came.
Miss Gray was district visitor, and
Adelaide had accompanied her to a village
about mile and half from Knagford.
On their return they were overtaken by
DIR. Wilson, who had been out fishing.
His fish-basket excit ed Miss Gray's curios-
ity, and, being found empty, called forth
her sarcastic powers, and conversation
flowed merrily as the three journeyed to-
gether towards their respective homes.
Suddenly Miss Gray stopped before stile.
Il must call at this cottage, she said,
pointing to pieturesquely wretched hovel
a hundred yards off, "to ask after little
patient. You two can sit on the stile and
talk about Borneo till | come back.
won't be long"
She glanced significantly at Adelaide as
she tripped off.
When the two we're left alone long
silence ensued. Adelaide feltthat the mo-
ment was critical, and her heart beat furi-
ously. At last, to break the horrible
awkwardness of the silence, she made a
great effort to command her voice, and
said
qWhen will you finish your book, DR.,
Wilson? / suppose it will be full of
dreadful adventures 2?
She stole timid glance at him as she
spoke, and saw that she had guessed his
mood rightly; for his face wore the tragic
mask, and his eyes glowed.
adventures? Yes, he replied, "plenty
of them moving accidents by food and
field. People will read all about them by
and-by, but they will not read why it was
| went out there and risked my life fol
speedy gains, But | suppose you know,
You can't quite have forgotten those old
days when loved you SO and told you ol
my love, and you listened and-good Hea,
ven remember everything you did and
said. Out in the poisonous jungle | have
lain awake night after night under the
stars, and conjured up your face and re
called every word and smile--and then
ut last come back Just in time TO witness
your wedding"
DR.. Wilson was fairly launched on sea
of wild words, and the poor girl listened in
terror.
II know I've treated you badly, Ernest,
she walled at last; "but be generous and
forgive me. Ihlnk ol tne Scanuai, Qi Wnal
people will say about me. Go away and
leave me in peace. What have you to gain
by making me miserable just when | ought
to be happiest, too, before my wedding
DIR. Wilson looked at her sternly.
'Your happiness + he cried. "Ahl Il
you really loved that man
Miss Gray Joined them again.
II haven't been long, have l ?" she said
looking from one to the other "And |
hope you have learnt lot about Borneo
Adelaide 2
She kept up the conversation vigorously
talking glibly and making inquiries about
tropical heat and tropical vegetation, til
they reached Mrs. Lilburne's garden gate
and Adelaide left them. Then her man
nersuddenly changed; she became grave anc
silent.