Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-07-20
A LOVERS QUARREL.
Dick and | had quarreled and part

Dick and | had quarreled and part
ed
! cannot tell you how it all began,
or how it ended in this serious fashion,
but can assure YOU felt miserable
as saw him striding away over the
fields, although | had myself told him
to go. Still | never thought he would
have taken me at my word.
What shall | say to Aunt Maria y
| thought as | turned my steps home
ward. This was indeed very serious
reflection, for it had been the dream of
Aunt Maria's existence To see me unit
ed to Dick johnson, the handsome and
only son of our rich neighbor, Sir
Henry.
Dick and | had played together as
children, danced together, Airted to-
gether, and finally fell in love with one
another.
We were to have been married in Il
month, and now | had sent him away
and told him never wished to see him
again.
What was to be tlone-and oh dear ,
what should | say to Aunt Maria
There was no help for it, however, but
to go home and explain the situation
to the best of my ability, and accord
ingly home | went.
Aunt Maria was in the drawing
room and stole softly in and took up
Il book, hoping that she would not
notice me. But she saw me directly,
ard inquired:
"Where is Dick?'
He has gone home" | replied,
trying to assume an unconcerned man
ner, and failed most signally in the
attempt.
"Gone home? Why? Did you
not tell him | expected him to dinner
"Yes"
"rhen why is he not coming?"
HE had an engagement | num-
bled.
"For goodness sake, child speak
out. Come here where can see YOU.
How red your face is 3, What is the
matter ?"
rose d e,iiently and stood before
my aunt, who fixed her relentless gaze
upon me.
"Iou have been crying" she said.
"Now Just tell me the truth at once.
Daisy. Have you and Dick quar-,
relied? -
Yes" taltered.
"And what about. pray
Il don't know.
"You don't know - This in very
sarcastic tone.
remained silent and iumbled for
my pocket handkerchief.
WHO began it, pursued Aunt
Maria, sternly.
81 don't know
Have you broken off your engage.
ment?'
"Yes," | burst forth. ii hate him
and | will never speak to him again. :"
Then | began to cry copiously.
'If you are going to bawl," said
Aunt Maria, with bitter irony, "you
had better leave the room. | shall
require full explanation tomorrow
from both you and Mr.. johnson"
| fled upstairs and did not appear
again that evening. passed wretch
ed night and had frightful scene
with Aunt Maria the next morning.
She stormed and expostulated, but |
remained firm in my resolve to return
Dicks ring and presents that day.
Accordingly | spent couple Of
hours in crying over them and packing
them up.
After luncheon Aunt Maria an.
mounced her intention OF visiting some
pensioners OF hers in the village about
three miles distant, and ordered me tc
accompany her, which prepared ID
do with very bad grace, fear. We
walked for about half an hour without
Exchanging word, and so thor0ught
ly ill-tempered pair Of pedestrian.
could hardly have been found any.
where.
Our way led through some fields
and on reaching the first gate,
noticed II man leaning against it. A,
We came up he opened it for us and
politely raised his hat. He looked
like gentleman and was dressed in a
well-ftting suit Of blue serge. saw
that he was stranger and wondered
where he came from. as strangers were
rare in our secluded part of the world
\ little further on | looked back
and observed that he was following
us.
| thought that rather odd, but hav-
ing resolved not to speak to Aunt
Maria until she addressed me held
my peace.
At the third gate the same perform
ance was repeated, but this time the
stranger did not fall behind. II,
walked to Aunt Maria's side and ask
ed; May | not offer you my arm ?
Certainly not. sir" was the in
dignant reioiner 81 have not the