The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-06-12

more tHdtl silc tdH w diiShN1 III Inv Wy
of drawing room musicales. She is 50 sweet
and patient and sings 50 divinely. and they
say She has AN invalid mother 10 support
quite love her and mean to know more
of her, went on this young enthusiast.
While over and over Jack kept vaguely re-
peating to himself. Elinor Gregory
Elinor Gregory, as they wendell their
way into the wide-windowed room ahead
of them. Jacks distract manner appar-
emily unnoticed by his voluble companion.
ooh, there she is. Ism t she dear?
exclaimed Miss Oyerton, nodding her
flower-crowned head toward the corner of
the room. Jack scarcely dared lift his
eyes. but with an effort he finally did.
Yes, there she was, standing by the piano,
slender little figure, clad all in black,
with the same upward tilt of the chin
how well he remembered it; the same
shining bronze hair; the same soft but
courageous brown eyes; the same scarlet
mouth and yeti was not the same, for
about its corner was just the suggestion of
pathetic little droop A great wave Of
pity surged out from Jack heart and
enveloped her as she stood unconscious OF
his coming, apparently.
How win she receive me? thought
Jack. and upon the very heels OF this
thought he found himself being presented
and bewing low, but with certain stiff
ness of his back before this strangely calm
eyed girl, whose proud little head had once
lain against his very heart; his heart which
he felt beating wildly in his temples at
that moment. Not muscle of Elinor
Gregory's face changed. She bowed
graciously, extending a cold, little hand
and vouchsafng cold little word of thanks,
so unlike her, Kate thought, to Miss
Overton' S cordial assurances that Mr.. Law
renee was deeply impressed with the beauty
of her voice.
1.-The same heartless coquette re-
peated Jack, bitterly, to himself, wave
of disgust-or was it despair ?-going over
him. Jack did not know that at the
moment he was craining his neck for a
sight of the singer, the alert eyes of this
Girl before him had rested for moment
on his face-the eyes of love-and women
are so far seeing, and she had been steeline
herself ever since for what she felt would
be an inevitable meeting, nor did he know
that the tumult in the heart and brain Of
the Girl made only the cold hand and few
words possible The eyes Of everyone
were upon them. The gifted song bird,
the distinguished looking man, the popular
Miss 0verton.
..Who is he whispered more than
one pretty girl Womanlike, Elinol
Gregory rose to the occasion, and. urged
on bv remembrance, maybe, found herself
hurting brilliant nothings at the quiet, in
tense-eyed man at her side, who she felt
was trying to read her aching heart and
who, she fully resolved, should not She
was madly wishing to die right then ant
there. if the truth were known, she coull
hardly keep her breath from comiag ii
short, quick gasps. Life had been so hare
| lately and here was what seemed the last
throw of fate She had hoped never t.
meet Jack Lawrence again for his home
was in the west, and he had planned t.
stay abroad some years longer, she knew
She felt that she could have met him ii
after years coldly and calmly, and perhaps
could even smile at this one-time infatua
ton of hers. But now here was the un
expected. She felt like an animal at bay
Perhaps he still loved her. Her hear
leaped within her at the thought, Blu
what mattered it if he did? She remem
bered the selfshness of his love; his selisl
appropriation of her and of her life worl
on that last memorable night; and now,
now that it was more necessary than ever
her life work-for had she not a loveC
mother to support here he was thrus
before her line Of duty again All, it wa
hard, hard, she groaned while she set her
self the role of smiles and bright repartee
But Kate Overton' quick ear and 70
mance-loving heart had caught certain
something, she could hardly define it
/ Her bright eyes had seen Elinor' 5 eye
droop hopelessly just for an instant, ant
Jack after one tense look at Elinor, Ger
tainly seemed bit distract, and she sud
denly remembered his manner when sht
first mentioned Elinor Gregory. So Kate
busy brain was already at work determinin:
to find out this certain something, while
she replied to half dozen people at once
and finally dragged Jack gradually ava,
and out of the slough of small talk, beins
chary of presenting him, for she wante'
to be away and try with Jacks help t.
solve the something, and so they present.,
found themselves breathing God s air one
more.
Isn't it good to get II breath after tina
Valley of Despond an afternoon tea !?
Kate said, with all the wisdom of tn
many seasons belle. ''Pray let me tax,
you to your club, her brougham driving
up. And then, as they rolled along DIES
pite her fnesse, for | will not ask hin
outright, she thought, Kate could get n,
admission from Jack of his having eve
known Elinor Gregory.
Where shall you locate p she inquir
ed, as they drew up at the curb JacI
had hardly made up his mind that be
should locate in New York, until within
the last half hour
''Oh, at the Carnegie or the Sherwood
I suppose, be said And upon biddin;
him good-by Kate exacted promis
from Jack that he would make one at he
dinner party the coming Wednesday,
Mamma is away and so | am giving
for Mr.. and Mrs Mason, who have jus
returned from their wedding tour, I was he
maid of honor, you know, she explained
s'and Rob Waterman has been called ava,
to Europe, so you won't mind filling in
but you will come, won't your
Jack promised, and going in to the club
ate his dinner alone and hurriedly, ant
then sought his rooms and his pipe, in tn,
smoke of which he lived over again thos,
few months happiness that had ended St
disastrously, the shadow of which hat
been but now so unexpectedly thrust befor
his eyes. How he met Elinor at the hous,
of that well-known duenna, and chaperor
of fortunately placed young women stu
dents in Paris, Madame Merrington.
Why had he never been there before, h,
argued with himself after that first time
and meeting with Elinor, Madame Mer