The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-02-20

while IN silence.
s'Are you very much disappointed p
she asked presently.
81 does seem almost too fine day to
spend indoors. | was so sure you would
make an exception of today that l stopped
at the stable and ordered trap to be here
at half past two. But it makes no differ
ence. ="
II am very sorry; it is too bad to have
to send it back. Isn't there some one
you can take in my place p
''No one l should enjoy half so well.
Then, with his eyes fixed upon his plate,
he said, between mouthfuls II hap
pened to tell Thompson that was going
to take you for drive. | told him | was
pretty sure you would want to go on such a
day as to day, but if you refused, which was
not at all likely, l might call for him; but
not to expect me, and if he had anything
else on hand to go ahead. -
"Oh, John, what player you are ?
You knew | would not 60, and you and
Mr.. Thompson had it all planned for
good time together. "
Dearest, believe me, he said, looking
very open eyed and innocent, 81 want you
to go-nothing would give me so much
pleasure But if you will not go, and if
you don't mind, | must confess that |
should enjoy short drive with Thompson
in the Park. l have not been out with
the boys for so long that | feel like girl
at her first ball. -
They had left the table now and gone
into the library. Mollie seated herself on
the arm Of her husband S chair.
"What a coaxer he is!'' she said, play
fully. He is only dear big boy, after
all, and he broke it all SO prettily to me.
But go, dearest, by all means. I want
you to go.
''Bless your dear heart Well, then, if
you really insist upon it, l will go, and to
make up for it l will take you to the opera
tonight | will telephone Stuart for seats
he can always get me what want-and
[ will order carriage to come for us.
And after the opera what do you say to
having bite at the Waldorf 2
''That will be delightful. will take
a long nap to get rid of the afternoon and
be fresh for tonight -
"All right, dear. I will come back in
time to dress and dine leisurely. y
The trap. high stylish looking affair,
stood at the door.
$50, dear, and if thinking of me will
have the same effect as it had this morn
ing, don't forget me for one minute until
you come back. There, go, and with
gentle insistence she pushed him away from
her and closed the door.
Mollie awoke from her nap refreshed,
and gave herself to the details of her toilet
with more than usual care and absorption.
As she stood before her glass, giving the
final dabs of violet perfume to her lips and
here and there about the white throat
she made the secret admission to her re-
Election that she was not half bad looking.
"Why, it is nearly sixP she said, with a
quick glance at the clock John should
be here by this time He is always on the
minute.
She went to the library and turned the
lights low, so that she could watch for him
at the window, and open the door for him
before the maid, and scold him little and
pet him great deal Duke, the big Irish
setter, got up from where he lay in the
hall, his nose pressed against the door,
alert for his masters return, and coming
into the room with a slow step, stood ex-
pectantly beside his mistress.
''Poor John, he is always timed He
fairly lives with his watch in his hand.
am glad he has enough confidence in me
to feel that [ would net grudge him a
happy hour or so when it comes his way.
The moon at its full rose above the tree
tops and lit up the empty street.
1T is gorgeous night 1t will be jolly
going to the Waldorf after the opera. Ii
will be just like old times. John was good
to think of it. Dear old John?
She left the window and studied the face
of the clock in the freight.
'Nearly sevenl Why, what can keeT
John?''
Dinner is served, ma am, the maid
said, at the door, looking uncertainty in the
gloom.
ssWe will not dine until Mr.. Darlington
returns, Mollie said As the clock struck
the hour the full weight of the lonely day
fell upon her.
.'It has been dreary New Year day
to me, she said still keeping her place
at the window. John was with me
every minute Of the day last year. Bu'
this was before we were married. | am
sharing the common lot of women--to feel
lonely and deserted Oar first New Year :
dav together has been spent a part. Bu'
ii may not be his fault. must not be
700 hasty in judging him
The rain OF fears ha his last thought
started brought the tears to her eyes.
The dreadful possibilities always associated
in her mind with he th9aghg Of horse
reduced her to the last stage af anxiety
Duke snuggled his nose under his mis-
tress hand and looked at her with bia
tender eyes. Suddenly he pricked up hi
ears. There was the rumble Of wheels.
1t was John at last! Mollie conquered
her impulse to rush QUITO him, and
quickly making light seated herself with
a book.
s'Ah, home again?' she said, in cool,
high voice as he entered the room.
s'Mollie, I will not ask you to forgive
me. 1t is too much to ask of even an
angel from heaven; but indeed there are
extenuating circumstances. You see, dear,
| thought we had finished with Thomp-
son relatives this morning, but 1t seems
that we had only started the covey
never knew man to have SO many brother:
and brothers-in-law and uncles and cousins,
to say nothing of four living grandfather
two on his side and two on his wife Sand
all of them hale and hearty. Fancy
having four living grandfather, Mollle
A man who would refuse to drink the
health of any one four living grandfathers
on a New Years and wish them many
happy returns of the day would be brute
now wouldn't he, Mollie? leave it tc
YOU. Well, dear, after Thompson had
once begun he did not dare to leave any
body out, and to oblige him | drove with
him from house to house. But ! thought
of you all the time, love.