The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-05-06

Marshalrs protestations, the little Colonel
departed, polite and smiling, promising TO
call on the following day, and leaving
Charles, sulky and scowling and ill used,
to continue the promenade with what grace
be might.
Colonel Turner was as good as his word.
He called on Mrs. Marshall the next day,
and on several following days, until at
last Charles wrathfully discovered that
youth was being distanced by middle age,
and that he was being routed on his own
ground by the uncle whose airs and graces
he despised.
One evening when he called on Mrs.
Marshall, after having been unable to see
her all day, he was told that she was at
home, but engaged.
The pretty maid seemed very unwilling
to admit him, but under the influence OF
five shillings she decided to risk it and to
show him upstairs. As he expected, he
found Mrs. Marshall and his uncle quite
content with their own company. He
accepted their greetings very stifiiy, and
refused to be seated, for tragedy and a
low, soft cushioned armchair are incongru-
GUS things. So he remained standing, aud
steadfastly ignored his uncle.
"You did not expect me this evening, J"
he began.
"No, Charles, said the widow. "You
never told me you were coming in; but you
are always welcome
81 was, returned Charles, "until week
ago; but now" His voice failed him,
and he paused
But now, Charles? You are just as
welcome as ever you were, and always will
be.
He shook his head sadly. "Not as ever
L was. Things have changed, and you
with them
II do not understand you, Charles"
~ am afraid you will not; but there
must be an understanding between us"
''Please explain yourself"
81 will,' replied Charles, rejoicing in
his own eloquence, and beginning to enjoy
his sufferings, for at twenty it is occasion
ally pleasurable anguish to place ones finer
feeling on the rack, especially before an
audience that takes matters seriously and
does not jeer at the martyrdom. "a few
weeks ago was always with you. You
were always glad to see me, and never said
you were not at home,
every true,
"And now 2"
Gam l any less glad to see you?''
'sAm with you as often as | was? Do
l see you as often as | did ?"
81 really don't know said the widow,
looking Bith-a puzzled air at her vehement
admirer; "but If you do not whose fault is
it but your own?'
any fault ?" cried Charles, with sar-
donic smile, in which he endeayored to
blend sarcasm, lofty pity and blighted
hopes-"my fault? 1t is yours, madam,
and his, turning suddenly on his uncle,
who had been sitting all through the inter-
view on the extreme edge of his chair.
Colonel Turner was horribly annoyed at
his nepheB's proceedings. He desested a
scene, and was disgusted to find such a
lamentable want of good taste in his
brothers son. He wriggled little nearer
the edge of his chair, screwed his eyeglass
more firmly into his eye, and began :
'Really, Charles"
'sTill he came, went on the lover, un-
needing, II was all in all to you, l loved
you as man never loyed woman before, and
you knew it p
"Charles, said the widow, who was be-
ginning to get angry, for she thought the
young man had been drinking, twill you
kindly leave off this nonsense, and behave
like rational being? l think we had
better defer conversation until you have
got over your present state. And she
turned her back on him in the most stately
fashion.
Charles rushed forward and almost
threw himself on the ground at her feet.
"Mrs Marshall Georgianal You know
you must have seen that | love you, and
that hoped to make you my wife,
"My dear boy, said the widow, so taken
absck that she hardly knew what to say,
"you surely never thOnght Of anything so
foolish. Why, Charles, and she could
not help smiling spite Of the earnest plead
ing of his face-s'surely you can never
have thought in that way of me, a woman
old enough to be your"-here she glanced
toward the Colonel, and slipped her hand
into his-"to be- your aunt"
Charles glared wildly at the pair, and
ths-. with all the tragedy oozing out Of
him, rushed incontinently from the room.
Three days later the Colonel again en-
tered his sister-in-lag's dining-room, and
was received with effusion.
"0h, AluredI" cried she, chow can |
thank you? | know you have routed this
woman, for Charles appeared here in a
furious state last Tuesday, and has now
gone yachting with man he hates. How
did you manage it?
"There was but one way, Selma.
"Aud that was p
"To marry her myself"
"Oh, Alured = cried the mother, sink
ing into chair, sswhat sacrifice! And