The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-10-06

III ism MARY, remarked IneOdore,
sitting down languidly in an arm chair.
"Not Mary Then in the name of
heaven who is it? Not-not--man-
speak Who is it, then ~
at is Veronica. .
With gasp the rector fell into the arm
chair facing his guests. "Tell me, tell
me y he said husky; 81 don't understand,
l thought you went up to propose to
Mary
$50 I did, but somehow she turned into
Veronica.
Explain, explain; l can't take it in.
Rather ramblingly the young man ex-
planned how the change in the young lady
had come about. There was an uncoDfor-
able silence when he had finished his mar
ration.
1'Well, don't you congratulate me p said
Theodore little moodily
Mr. Pindar gave bitter laugh. Con
gratulate you = he said, Congratulate the
man who has put out his hand to gather
peony, then capriciously snaps off an ex
quisite lily. How about the poor lily
No, can't congratulate you tonight; am
bewildered, unhinged This affair Of the
money has unsettled me-unsettled me-
"What a funny man you are" said
Theodore, looking with puzzled expires
sion at his friend; "you were delighted
about the money a moment ago.
'Yes, but | see now it has come little
late"
ssYou needn't look at it in that light. A
man can enjoy life even at 40. | must
say, Pindar, considering how you egged me
on to do this thing, you might give me
little more sympathy"
a never egged you on to do this thing,
said Mr.. Pindar sharply; II encouraged
you under the impression you meant to
marry Mary :.
$50 1 did The only difference is that
Tn going to marry Veronica. Same fam
lily, comes to much the same thing, as far
as you are concerned Any way, it's done
now, and l feel quite hurt that you should
take it in this manner. The whole way
home l thought, How pleased Pindar will
be-. Upon my word, doubt if | have
one sincere friend in the world
Theodore's last words seemed to touch
the rector With an effort he recovered
his outward serenity.
'Don't think that" he said, rising and
placing his hand on the younger mans
shoulder. "I am, or at least try to be,
sincere friend. 1 will congratulate you;
| do congratulate you, most heartily. But
remember one thing, Vane, you have un-
expecteble come into possession of an in
estimated treasure. Veronica is-is-an
ideal woman
Theodore looked much impressed, and
his opinion of his newly-gained lady love
went up like rocket.
''She is also,' pursued the rector, "a
tender, delicate creature who feels acutely.
IF 1 thought you would play fast and loose
with her before marriage, or give her a
days unhappiness afterwards, would
would kick you out of my house"
Theodore laughed at the absurd threat.
you'll never have occasion to do that,
he said. II shall not have much time to
play fast and loose, for we are to be mar
ried the end of August, only two months
hence And it will be her fault if she is
not happy afterwards, for she will have her
own way as much as she likes. Wood
leigh Manor viii have to be done up bit.
Sit down, do, and let's have talk about
it."
Mr. Pindar sat down, trying to look as
if he liked it. And here we will leave
them, in order to relate how it came to
psss that Veronica, not Mary, was chosen
to become Mrs, VaGs of Woodeigh Manor.
Theodore's arrival that afternoon at the
grove had been utterly unexpected. The
drawing room into which he was shown
was very disordered, and as he entered Ey
Zone door he could see the tail of white
dress whisking through another at the fur
ther end. The hutler announced his name
to this tail, and Theodore had time to OBJ
serve that it was both soiled and ernmpled
"Daisy, expect, he muttered 20 him
self; "Mary is always splck and span.
He was wrong. 1t was Mary escaping
from visitors She had not expected any
the very day after garden party and on
what she considered "safe" afternoons was
apt to degenerate into untidiness. Today
she was giving her hair "a rest, which
meant that she had not curled her fringe
and had twisted her back hair up loosely
anyhow. Also she was giving some old
slippers turn and soiled dress one extra
wear before it went to the wash tub Nat
uraly, therefore, she ran for her life when
she heard visitor coming. The door
through which she escaped opened upon
some steps which led down into the garden,
Across the lawn she few and near some
laurel bushes she found Veronica gathering
flowers for the dinner table.
"0h Veronica, do go in r sheexclaimed
breathlessly. "Visitorsl Had no time to
see who. | am too untidy to go and en-
tertain anybody and mamma and the girls
are out. couldn't get tidy and do my
hair under half an hour Do go in at
once. Oh Oh How awful Smith
sons bringing them out here to us What
an idiot the man is Veronica Its Mr.,
Vane | should like the earth to open
and swallow me up. What win he think
of me? Why, have no waist belt My
fingers are inky. Veronica, what shall l
do p
''Never mind" said Veronica kindly
avery likely he will not notice. Men are
never quick at taking in details. l will
ask him to come round and see the flowers,
and then you can escape and change your
dress and join us later.
There was no time for more. Mr.. Vane
was upon them. He shook hands with
Veronica, glanced at her carelessly, then,
as though his attention had been arrested,
looked again at her lingeringIy and ad-
miringly. Veronica was never untidy. To-
day she was wearing a very neat dress
of softest gray; on her carefully dressed
head was a picturesque garden hat;
tucked into the bosom Of her dress were
some freshly gathered pink and white roses,
and in her hands she held large nosegay
of garden flowers. Everything about her
was fresh and dainty, and she made
rrattrr r,iotnra ~ she stood hefnre the Wis