Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-06-08

night all sentimental iancies. Before
table Uttered with all the remains of
a late repast Miss Bell was sitting.
Could this be my angel of the night
before, whose dainty, sylph-likc form
| had held in my arms in the dance :?
"lIer hair, the natural color of
which she had so often assured me,
was rolled up in horrible black kids,
her gingham dress was frayed and
soiled, her face was not particularly
clean and she held "The Story of a
Dreadful Sin" in her hands, over
which she was poring. Perhaps il was
her absorption in this which prevented
her hearing my footsteps on the gravel
and 1 fled back TO the front door.
This time | was admitted by the little,
Irish serving maid, who took me into
the library and went TO call Miss
Daisy.
"Aiter the lapse Of time necessary
to transformation Daisy herself came
fluttering into the cool, shaded room
in dainty summer gown, her fluffy
bang in order once more.
"She was full of excuses for keeping
me waiting.
"She had gotten up quite early to
do little sewing for mamma, and was
quite busy when | came, etc. listen
ed patiently, but unconvinced. II
knew better. We went to TT. Thomas,
but didn't propose. That's one rea-
son why | am still single, for | am
conceitcd enough to think she would
have accepted me-
Allison's cigar had gone out in the
recital. He stopped and lighted it
with sigh.
"Ah, she was pretty girl-in the
ballroom" he said, rehectively.
That didn't keep you from falling
in love again?" | said, interrogatively.
No; but they were all more or less
disappointing. Helen Graham was
the next on my list. She came down
to Vernon House TO visit my sister
Nell. They we're chums at Madam's
academy, you know. She was a
brunette beauty-blondes had lost
their fascination with Daisy--and
was prepared to love again. went
down in the drag to meet her at the
station, waited two hours from one
train to the other, then found she had
made mistake in dates and wasn't
coming till next day. When she did
come she left her travelling bag with
Jewels and money, in one OF the cars,
and the key Of her Saratoga trunk at
home on her dresser. Her trunk re.
mained sealed like Pandora's box until |
| hunted up locksmith who made a
key for il and sent me the hill. Later,
she ruined our picnic lemonade by
putting in salt instead of sugar; admin
is,ered peroxide to Nell, who was
suffering severe headache, instead of
bromocaflerine, and finally ruined my
new Prince Albert.
"Ot course she didn't intend to do it
but | have always held that person
who puts plate of soft tafiy on chair
ON dark piazza and goes off without
erecting a danger signal is responsible
for any accidents that may he occa-
stoned thereby. Don't you, Mac? The
poor girl was horribly sorry, and |
forgave her, but it didn't repair the
damage done to my coat tails in the
least-and il didn't make me want to
put my life in her hands. I'm posi-
lively certain she would have poisoned
me before the honeymoon was over
by mistake, of course.
"Then there was Blanche Percival-
over whom men went mad, hopelessly.
| fell victim to her charms, and went
as mad us any of them, for | believed
her good and pure, and worshiped her,
or the ideal of her, which | had set up
for myself
81 went to her enc night, fraught
with declaration of my love; but
before the words had crossed my lips
an act of hers forestalled them. We
were looking over some old photos
together, seated before the fire. AS
we came upon one of them, strong
resolute face, she drew it up with a
little start.
'"Ah, did not know | had that,
she said, laughing. Poor devil, he
loved me once, madly. | ilirted with
him and then threw him over, as |
had done dozen others he went mad
or something I've forgotten She
looked up at me as stood on the
hearth rug with a little mocking laugh.
then tossed the picture into the flames,
where it shriveled to ashes. Do You
blame me, Mac, for turning my love
to hate OF heartless, unfeeling CO.
quette? made vow, then and there,
never TO attempt proposal again.
II the Baby is Cutting Teeth