The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-12-05

cOncluueu InlS musU De Tue heaven WHeTe
I could rest. Perhaps-pardon me if l
offend-your mamma would consent to
take me. I can give exceptionable refer
ences
His eagerness was contagious. 81 have
no MOTHER Anne said, her hands futter-
ing, ''but there is Jasper, and Alice and
Margaret.
Forgive me- Perhaps l could see
Jasper with deep flush What allied
him.
She was on the very verge of acquies-
ence, when an alien voice chimed in, shril-
ly, HThis is No. 20, for sartin ain t
it, mister ?
Naturally they ceased surveying each
other and turned-to survey boy, with
a package under his angular arm
"Why should it be, mister?'' asked he,
but neither graciously nor with compo-
sure.
''Land sakes amt that'n 27, an
that n 81, with jerk, ''but eff you be
Miss Amy Winterdence, knows L m o.
K, for this passel reads Miss Amy Win
terdence and sisters, No. 30 Whiting ter
race. All right No charge, mum.
Mornin' -
He darted off without further parley.
The nonplussed and confused girl could
not stir, though she had mechanically
taken the parcel, which now slipped from
her grasp.
''Allow me" the Unknown said, and
picked it up. In doing so the paper wrap
per parted, disclosing box embossed with
the figure of boot.
The occult possibilities of that box act
ed on Anne like a sudden illness. A
stream of fire ran along her veins, followed
by chill which froze her roses into lilies.
She quivered like an aspen leaf Seeing
this her companion put his hand on her
arm, with lively sense of alright and
something else.
''You are i'll" he exclaimed; "Let me
take you in leading her forward.
Anne did not negative this proposition,
but was sufficiently sentient to the de-
mands of propriety to motion him to enter
the parlor. And as soon as his back was
turned, scampered down the hall into the
dining room.
"Oh, Jasper-oh, girls-a gentleman
and boots-so handsome-a whole box
full-wants board--said they were for me-
and 1 thought l should never have another
pairP' She had fallen into Jasper arms
and poured this hysterical food into his
shirt front.
"My dearest pet, what is the matter
Have you gone crazy? What is it?'
Jasper entreated.
Anne rehearsed the incoherent invent
ory to the amazement of her brother and
sisters, fash of common sense piercing
through befogged fancy, made her sit erect
and say decidedly:
"There is gentleman in the parlor and
he wants to board with us. He wished to
see mamma Then he said he wanted tc
see Jasper We had better take him,
Alice. Go and tell him SO, Jasper, ris-
ing and pulling him out of his chair, fol
as we have boots, we now can see any.
body"
Jasper and Alice looked confounded, a
well they might, but the fact that some
body was waiting, kept sensation in
allegiance. They disappeared, leaving
Margaret to shake Anne into composure,
and to extract all she knew of the impor.
tunate stranger She gave it, but during
the recital her mind was glued fast to the
hidden beauties of the mysterious box
boots were of far greater moment than
boarders.
Isn't it charming somebody that sent
those boots? And we can 60 to Mrs.
Rockwell's now 1 would just as soon
walk as ride, wouldn't you? But who
could have done it? Who could have
guessed that we needed them so desper-
ately? Has Jasper taken him, as the
elder sister entered.
eyes, for he says he is quite sure he
will be pleased, and is talking to Jasper
quite as if he had known him all his life.
He is delightful, =" enthusiastically.
sIs he going to stay in the parlor for
ever? How can I get my box p Anne
demanded aghast. But must have it,
and l will p She found the candidate
for boarding alone. He rose, saying
eagerly, as he advanced.
casper has consented to take me in,
captivating fellow that he is
''To be sure, anybody can tell at a
glance that Jasper is not common clay, "
Anne responded abstractedly; her eyes
yes, mind, heart and all were fixed on the
parcel. She moved towards it. 81 hope
you will excuse me, blushing, but l want
to examine-this -
Certainly, may 1 help you. In q
trice he had the string cut, and the lid off,
and three pairs of boots were on exhibition
This curious young man whom Anne die
not even know by name, selecting the
daintiest of the two, held them up for in
spection.
"These are cousins to Cinderella slip.
pers, and l dare wager-are yours. Anne
looked at him with blooming cheeks.
81 don know, she murmured But
see There is scrap of paper in thai
one, and something is written on it
What can it be?''
Without invitatan, he drew it out, and
both bent over it; SO near that he could
hear her heart beat
MY kingdom for pair or boots
Remember your covenant, Anne; for the
day will come, when | shall demand my
kingdom. Daring as he was, he dared
make no comment. Anne's hands flew tC
her face, to hide it, to shut out the ques.
tioning gaze of the surveyor of her boots,
and heauteous self. All she had said yes
terday required to her To whom was
she pledged? Who had seen? Who had
heard These questions tormented her.
''Anner' three voices cried in three sepa-
rate degrees of surprise, which effectually
recalled her to the present-and her
pink, protruding toes ! And she expert