The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1894-12-28
highest OF all in Leavenng Fower-Laest S Govt Report
RH!a!:!!.!!, "a, BskiRg BS%5sgz
ABSOLUTELY PURE
ABSOLUTELY PURE

At least my upspoken love became
almost Il burden. | thought of but little
else than Alma. Rivals had, to be sure
but none whome | really feared. Young
Wilcox, son of the richest man in the
growing young town, hung arouud her
constantly; and George Carey, middle
aged swell from 1.-The east" was also de-
voted to her. But was not afraid.
One evening as parted from her my
manner betrayed more tenderness than |
had meant to eXpless, though not more
than | felt. In thinking of it afterwards |
was happy in remembering that Alma had
not seemed surprised or annoyed at my
expression of telling. "And she mus have
understood" | said to myself. AS | walked
to my lodgings l determined to tell her
outright that | loved her and ask her to
marry me the next month. The next day
| was called away to the beadside of my
dying father. and did not return for two
months. Then | was a comparatively rich
man, with my share of his estate. That is,
rich for that time, not for the present.
| returned to Crestteld on New Years
day. | lost no time in going to see Alma
Visions of this moment of happiness had
filled my mind for days. | met Laura Just
coming out of the house. Full of childish
delight at being once more so near the
little home circle which held my happiness
| aJ fol bnr 81 md hall hot ko,,
saying: | am so glad to see you 1 shall
be grateful if YOU are half as glad to see
me.
Her eyes opened wide, with a look that
was part pleasure and part astonishment,
blended with depreciation. She had the
appealing eyes which SO often belong to
the young who are afflicted with deafness
Something in her look told me that she
had not really understood my words but
was honestly glad to see me. So l ratified
on telling her how much / had thought of
all of them while | had been away, still
holding both her hands in "a hearty clasp.
Il wish you Happy New Year and
many Happy New Years. said finally.
Your welcome makes me very happy.
Now, let us go and find Alma
''Do you really mean it, DR.. Mason?"
and she looked up at me with strange
yearning expression on her plain face,
which was flushing with red like an early
morning sky.
Mean it: mean it every word with all
T hall -. IL
than ever in my enthusiasm. Now let us
find Alma, for whom | have what l hope
may be glad tidings.'
She smiled, and her smile was very
sweet, although she was so plain. noticed
too, that her eyes had strange light in
them which made them resemble the eyes
we sometimes see in dreams, which speak
so much more meaningly than do those
we see in our waking hours. This light
was the light of joy and nothing else. One
does not see it often in woman's eyes.
Sometimes only once in a life time.
She slipped her arm in mine and we
walked into the house down the wide, old
fashioned hall to the sitting room.
Alma, dear" said Laura, as we opened
the door and the tall, dark eyed goddess
of my heart arose and came towards us,
Or. Mason says have made him very
happy, and he wants to tell you of it at
once and so do l."
The goddess glanced at both of us, a
faint pink color coming into her white
check, and smiled at us as she would have
smiled at two children. while was long
ing to take her in my arms and tell her
| adored her Instead of greeting me- or
giving me chance to greet her, she bent
and kissed Laura. and then turned to me,
saving:
You have won the sweetest heart in
the world DR.. Mason. congratulate you.
know that you will return an equal
amount of good wishes when tell you
that have promised to marry Mr. Carey.
We will be married next month and 90 to
live at once
stood as the novelists say, rooted to
the spot The whole scene seemed un-
real | who few moments before was so
full of joyful anticipation, now fou I'd my |
self engaged to marry II woman whom | |
lid not love, and hearing the woman | |
lid love tell me that she was soon to marry |
pne of my rivals At first | could not |
what Alma meant thought |
hat she and Laura were enjoying some
oke 100 obscure for me. At last the
,eaming look in Laura eyes enlightened |
mistaken my warm greeting for dcclara-
ion of love, and responded atlirmatively. |
With Laura arm still within mine !
walked to Il sofa ant, sat down. she by my
Alma. Speech had utterly forSaken me.
And. indeed, what could say, Could | |
ell the trusting creature by my side that
t was all mistake: that she had miSundcr
stood me; that did not love her; that |
owed her beautiful cousin: No | was too
shocked and dazed to do anything but sit
here in silence, with the persplratlon
standing i'll cold drops on my face and
NY eyes staring vacantly ahead of me.
think | could have spoken had it not
been that Alma stood before me looking
placid and even happy in telling of her
engagement to Mr.. Carey. / accepted tie
in desperation. The whole face
IF life had suddenly changed for me and !
saw nothing but gloom ahead.
thought myself a strong man, but is it
any wonder that | wept like any child on
On my pillow that night? What a New |