Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-07-27

looks and doings of other folks" said
Mrs. Harden, addressing nobody in
particular, but looking straight before
her with a stony gaze, they'd be con-
siderable more saints than they are
likely to become other ways"
Mrs. luc glanced appealingly
at Mrs. Peters, and put on Il mayrtyr-
like expression.
ii can excuse you, mama" she
said. with great politeness, and COM
passionate glance toward Elvira Jane,
considering how badly you must feel
about this matter. 1t isn't many of
us can bear dissapointments wit pa
tience and Christian meeknees and
fortitude." "
Mrs. Harden's countenance certain
expressed neither meekness nor pa,
tience, but her reply was averted by
a sudden exclamation from Patty, who
was staring out of the window at sun
dry curious and inquisilive faces of
passers by, peering about the front
garden palings:
"Oh, mum, they're coming Mister
Tom-and Mister Joe toe"
Joe Harden was hurrying up the
road from one direction and Tom
Blake driving from another
The two young men met at the
gate, and after exchanging few
words Tom left his wagon in the yard
and they entered the kitchen together.
Toms face was white, while Joe's
was as red as his mothers.
well, joe said Deacon Blake,
hastily stepping forward.
Joe answered in hard, sharp way:
Parker left this morning at )
o'clock. He hired a BUGGY. lie
didn't say where he was going, but
Larry, the milkman, met him near the
Meadow Bridge driving with lady.
who he is sure was Lizzie.
But in that case where was she all
night -
Joe sternly shook his head
Mrs. Blake burst into passion of
weeping.
Tom, meanwhile, had taken some
thing from small box on the top
shelf of the closet, and was closely
examining it at the window.
"Oh, Tom :" cried Elvira Jane,
'what do YOU mean to do with that
dreadful thing?"
Tom made no reply.
His lips were firmlg set, and he put
it in his breast pocket and turned to-
ward the door.
Tom, my SON. cried his mother,
seizing his arm. "Oh, Joe, stop him !.
Therell be murder somewhere. He'll
kill that Parker
"If he don't" said Joe, deliberately,
as he carefully selected a stout horse
whip from number hanging in the
closet he don't succeed in killing
him, then I'll finish him myself.
Come along, Tom
Elvira Jane screamed, aud Mrs.
Harden and Mrs. Peters made sud-
den, elephantine rush and placed their
ample forms against the kitchen door.
Mrs. Blake threw herself into a
rocking chair with loud wailing, and
with tightly.clenched hands, mouth
screwed up, and eyes double their
natural size, danced about the room
on tiptoe.
Stand aside, mother. There's
something trying to get in here" said
Joe, rs the door was pushed from
without.
And wrenching it open despite the
resistance of the two stout ladies, he
threw it wide open, while the eyes of
all the excited group turned thither-
ward.
Everyone uttered an exclamation.
There stood Lizzie, bright and rosy,
her hat hanging ON her back by its
strings, her curly hair all disordered
with the wind. and in her hands q
little basket, the contents of which
were covered over with fresh green
leaves.
At sight of the unexpected group
her face assumed an expression OF the
utmost astonishment.
"Oh, Lizzie, Lizzie :" cried her
aunt, starting up, "where have you
been -
Where have | been ?" repeated
Lizzie, in a bewildered tone. Why,
to the meadow-bridge wood, to get
awberries. )"
And she lifted the leaves and dis
played the red fruit beneath
A dead silence ensued. Everybody
looked at each other, but no one spoke
until Miss Tucker inquired, hall
increduously:
"Who went with you!'
Mrs Lamb and the girls, and
Frank Lamb and Mr. Parker" ans
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