The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-04-20

and the note lay unopened amid a pile of
letters OH his writing table for several DAYS.
during which Leigh went through an agony
OF suspense. Perhaps his note had been
lost and had never reached its destination.
Perhaps she had guessed what he would
do and had forbidden her cousin to send
the address Then new agony began.
She had told him herself how much she
wanted the money Perhaps she was
starving, and there was no one to help her.
He worried and distressed himself till the
doctor shook his head and ordered him to
the south of France.
Leigh took no notice of his advice.
Everything seemed to 90 by him in dream
until one day post card was brought up
TO him. with two lines written upon it that
ran like an electric stream through his
frame The words were these
Only just back in town. y South
Street, Clinton square
sydney was sitting alone that afternoon
in her cheerless room She could not af-
ford fire. and the clinging damp made
everything chilly and uncomfortable. She
had Al last heard of some teaching, but the
salary was small. and she would not receive
anything until the end of the term.
\ week ago at this time very different
scene had surrounded her but that thought
was too painful to be borne as vet
\ ring at the bell and heavy step on
the stair reused no expectation in SYDNEY
mind. No one ever came to see her but
her cousin, and She thought that he was
still away. But to her surprise the steps
paused at her door. and the servant girl
threw il open without any attempt at an
nouncement, and in another moment Oliver
Leigh stood before her
He was breathless with his ascent and
leaned heavily upon his stick but he had
left of his bandages. and his eyes rested
eagerly upon her.
| should have been here DAYS ago.
he exclaimed but had no clew to your
address and was obliged To wait until |
could get It from yom cousin The days
have seemed like an eternity
He paused, bat Sydney could find no
words in which to answer.
Are You angry with me for coming ?
he asked You would not be if YOU
knew how terribly | have missed YOU
Il am not angry said Sydney in a
scarcely audible voice, while she raised her
eyes for moment to his
Leigh face frightened Il cannot
part from, YOU againr he exclaimed /
have come here to-day To ask You to be my
wife
But we have known each other such
a little time. said Sydney. trying to re-
press the JOY that trembled through her at
hi woris She knew that she should
never love any ether man as she loved him.
bat She feared that he might be yielding
to sudden impulse which he would after
ward repent
.no you call it a little while ? he said.
Il seems to me that have known YOU
for wears You must remember that 4
fortnight, of work together ike ours Is
worth year of ordinary acquaintance.
NJ cannot take that as an answer
The only thing that win send me away Is
for You to tell me that You d. not love me.
Can you tell me that ?
There was an eutreating accent in hh
voice against which Sydney was not proof,
No. she said softly, and the brief neg
atiye conveyed q whole world Of assent.
The dreary room with all It's chill dull
ness disappeared as if by magic trans
figured and gloriied by haze of golden
light
Cold, wearinesS, poverty all were for
gotten, blotted out from Sydney memory
By the sudden rush Of happiness, while
Leigh felt that this was the moment for
which he had been waiting all his life.
You must not forget that YOU owe me
two days work he said at last looking
az her with smile
II don owe them. said Sydney play
fully You have never paid me any
thing at all vet
Leigh smile faded, and he bowed his
head on hers | can bear TO think of
what you have suffered. my little one
he said. Bm that is all over now
There is nothing To wait for Let us be
married At once. aud we will 90 abroad
together. | believe the doctor told me
/ ought to 80 To a warm climate for a
little while, 50 we viii forget all these
dark DAYS in love aud sunshine. shall
never be thankful enough thai your cousin
sent YOU TO me.
7 Dn YOU think we need tell him all the
story , .aid sydney anxiously
No. dear. no said Leigh 1t is
;oo sweet a story to be spoiled by telling
We win keep it all TO ourselves
And thu, ii came to pass that when
Morris Holt read the letter that told him
Of Sydney 5 engagement. he said to him
self. whnh his usual distracted smile /:
All. yes, saw Leigh was interested
directly told him about her Sydney
may thank me after all for having settled
her in life