The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-12-04

peared. Mr.. Sanderman was wealthy
cheese merchant, about forty FIVE years of
age-a big man with forid complexion
and red whiskers tinged with gray meeting
under his chin. As he came up to her
Lucy could see that he was troubled in his
mind
Miss Graham he began rather alb
ruptly, Il have just heard the strangest
rumor about you-that's it's all a mis-
take-about your money, I mean I
don understand it, for The worthy
cheese merchant stopped He could hardly
tell the girl that he had instituted careful
inquiries about the deceased Peter Graham
rs it true?' he asked.
If You mean, is it true that | am not
wealthy; certainly it is true, answered
Lucy with flashing eyes
Mr.. Sanderman sat gazing over the sea,
| one hand spread out on each of his knees,
refiecting many things in his swift mind.
Willingly would he break off the match;
but how? Visions of an indignant dam
sci, a jury of his fellow countrymen, ter
rifle cross examining counsel, soul har-
rowing check. and the undying witticisms
of his friends. chased one another across
the brain. No: it could not be risked.
Besides, the girl before him was young,
benny. and lady The loss Of the money
was sad disappointment Of Providence,
/ but it could not be helped.
Therefore Mr. John Sanderman heaved
an ephantine sigh, and turned to his fancee
with smile ON his face.
Lucy was thunderstruck The man was
going to hold her to her word. She had
never contemplated such catastrophe.
"Oh, this is awful, she said to herself,
as her beuothed slipped his hand into hers,
as a matter Of course. She gently drew
her hand away. The sooner the better,
she whispered to herself; then aloud, but
in very subdued tone:
Mr. Sandeman. | fear | have been
very much to blame, and | hope you will
forgive me. The truth is, | was only in
Jest when accepted your offer the other
day. 1t was very wrong. You must for
give me am very sorry.
Mr. John Sanderman rose and held out
his hand magnanimously. He had found
his tongue
Miss Graham he said, Il forgive
your little Jest freely. 1t was only joke
on both sides WASH, it? Wenever meant
to he serious. But hope we shall always
be friends--thc best of friends, Miss Gra-
ham
And Mr.. Sanderman performed a won
/ ,l,,r.,l b.,. ,yhirb ,,r,cloi,,n1 Huis ,ul
with satisfaction visible On his countcnance,
departed.
:; =; :: !:
so even he was clad to be rid OF me- -
She thought
Poor Lucy her feelings were very bit
ter Just at that moment. The blow she
had struck her mercenarv lovers had proved
that they were worthless but she had also
disco, cred how little the world thought Of
her. She felt mortified.
She was, to tell the truth, very nearly
CRYING when she caught sight Of the jolly,
sun burnt face Of Tom Dennistown, second
mate of' the Strathsbey, whom she had
known from her childhood He was com
Ing quickly near her. .;Oh, Tom, Tn
So glad to see you.
Are You Lucy returned Tom, as
his face frightened up, and he sat down
beside her He thought Lucy Graham
had never looked so handsome There
was touch Of feeling in her eyes, too, he
had never seen before. Are YOU really
clad to see me, IMcy?
-.Of course | am. you stupid fellow.
..Lucy, do you know what | heard just
now that it is all mistake about yoru
grandnnclc leaving You that mountain OF
money-that as Il fact, You are not rich at
al. Is it true ;?
= Lucy nodded, without looking up
:.Oh. LucyIi cried Tom, his honest
eyes, all in blaze, ''then there 5 chance
for me- [ couldn' speak when [ thought
YOU were 50 wealthy. 1t would have look
ed mean But have loved you all my
whole life Lucy Here the sailor dropped
;, on his knees that he might look up into
the girls eyes and read his fate there.
She just glanced up at him, and her eyes
fell before his-a thing they had never
done before.
.:Yes. Hattie, that will be best, God
frey Cunningham was saying to his sweet
heart as they sat together on the rocks,
with the waves tapping at their feet.
The castle and shooting will let for three
hundred a year: | will leave the army at
once and take this offer of Griggs. A
hundred is all | can expect at first. Imay
wait long time without getting better
start. The worst of it is my mother hav
inc to leave the old place.
sBut | don think she need leave it,
Godfrey replied Hattie, as she blushed,
and rested her forehead on her lover :
shoulder. You know our Uncle Peter
left great deal of money.
eyes, to Lucy; because she was his
. favorite nephew s child "
mo; my father was the favorite. Lucy
would not take more than ten thousand
pounds. II was all could do to make
her take that Really | feel quite
: ashamed to be so rich - Hattie then con-
tinued:
Are you displeased that | did not tell
you sooner, Godfrey? 1t was so delicious
to feel that you cared for me for myself
alone, and to look forward to telling you.
Il can hardly take it in yet, dearest.
Why did you and Lucy change places =?
1T was only the wild girl prank. She
wanted to see how people would behave to
= her when they had thought she was
wealthy and found it was a mistake. She
always was madcap, but she is the very
best girl in the whole world And now,
don't you love me ever so much more
mo, you little tease; you know that is
impossible.
Assert Yourself.