The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-22


prevent this-disaster -
elbow 2 he asked, after a moment
hesitation and with an odd expression on
his face.
For the first time, then, she hesitated.
f'Well, you know, I am-an heiress,
she said with shrug and a funny little
move II used to think so much money
would be a dreadful nuisance; lately I've
thought it would prove an awful response
bility; now L know it's the most glorious
of opportunities Why, I'm just going tc
hand over to you all the money that you
need to carry you successfully through this
crisis and on to make your fortune.
He made sudden, decided gesture Of
refusal, and his bronzed cheeks flushed
"No,' he said, hastily. "It's most
kind, but I-or any other worthy to be
called a man-would refuse this utterly :
even if you were free to do what you pro
pose, which, most fortunately, is really
beyond your power. My dear Miss Elsie
yoa forget that you are minor, and thai
your guardian is-well, no friend of mine!
''You are mistaken | have been o.
age since Yesterday And L We given my
uncle warning of just what l intend tc
do p
There was something unreal about al
this to Darcy, music, the passing t
and fro of the increasing throng O
guests, many of them greeted them gail.
as they passed; and all the while his part
ner, beautiful Elsie Prime, in low, cleal
tones, was going on with her astonishing
proposition, as if it were the most natura
thing in all the world
Listen to me, Mr. Darcy" she con
tinued, ''and don't be blind, pig-headeC
idiot, and rush straight to your destruc
ton ! | know just how much you neet
to carry you over this crisis and give yol
the firm footing which will lead to pros
perity.''
"But how do you know all this 2
''Oh, fairies know everything Blu
there was a conversation [ unwittingl.y
overheard between Uncle John and Bob
Then [ went to Mr.. Perrine, and from
him learned all the rest. 1t is shame
But let my uncle once see that he has no
the power he thinks, and hereafter he vii
not try to harm you.
'But, if this thing should happen, -
do not say it will, you must not connec
your uncle with my misfortunes, he
said, magnanimously. cit is in the air
[ have failed twice already, "a third crasl
will be final
Nonsense ! Number one was due t,
a boys inexperience. Number two, to /
financial crisis, where nine out of every
ten went down. And now, if you will b.
COED, there will never be three AnC
YOU must have no difidence about doins
what | ask; to me it is the merest baga
telle. | could lose the entire amount, yes
and twice or three times over, and neve
miss it So you need have no scruple
about taking it, and
'sAnd still 1 decidedly refuse 1t i
something beautiful of you beyond al
words, Miss Elsie, but"
''But you won take it?'
:'No. [ won't take it. -
Her brilliant eyes sparkled strangel.,
upon him. The next minute she laughed
the queerest laugh imaginable
every well, Mr.. Darcy, she said
"Uncle John was right, and | was wrong
He said l couldn't save you from ruin
that you simply wouldn allow yourself t
be saved. How pigheaded and obstinate
YOU men are You would rather fai
miserably and go away to some horribl
uncivilized place than owe anything to
friend who is ridiclously and disgustingl..
rich-simply because she is a girl Yo'
men are the querest, most irrational being
l ever saw Why can't you give M
this pleasure? It's the first nice thini
I've ever really wanted to do; but be
lieve you want to fail, and that you vii
be glad to go away and never see any o
your friends again T
cit will be like death to go-and neve
see you, he murmured
She ignored his words, and went o
quickly "Very well, | cannot alter you
nature, but at least in one way ! can d
what | will with my own And-if 1t
not asking too much Of you-will yo
kindly accompany me up to MIR. Perrine
study for just a moment, now, befor
the cotillon begins? He is my lawyer
you know, and [ have an appointment wit
him.
"What is it that you intend to do 2
asked Darcy, doubtfully.
"Merely to sign deed of gift, sh
said, quite cody, "and | would like 20
to witness it. For, in the case of you
refusal to do what have asked, | dc
termined to give FIVE hundred thousan
dollars, out and out, to establish Refug
for Homeless Cats.
Miss Elsie, you are not in earnest !
~ am in earnest, as you will soon fin
out | saw Mr.. Perrine this morning
and explained just what wanted to Dc
and, failing in that, just what
should do; and now he has the two pape
upstairs, ready for my signature. Or
relates to you; by a stroke of my pen
could enable you to go Onto fortun'
By your refusal you lessen my fortur
much more preceptibly; but then-it W
benefit the cats
but your uncle, and Mr. Perrine, =
they will not allow you to sign away sue
sums of money so madly--
II am my own mistress, and can
what please with my own; at least
with queer little quaver in her voice,
thought | could-until a minute or tv
ago Dick Darcy, she added, impe
uously, If proud man like you wou
do this thing for girl like me, she wou
know that he cared something for her
beyond mere casual friendship. Can yc
be reasonable Can't you take it? Can
you see, oh can t you see? E? It's eitht
to be you or the cats; why can it
you? p
They were now in the upper hallwa.
approaching Mr. PelTines study-doo
Below them were brilliantly-fgh room
and music and the sound of animate
voices from the ever-increasing thron:
Here it was dim, like twilight, and Elsie
eyes shone brighter and brighter upon hin
like stars.
''You angel = he breathed.
.sNo anoel. only a oirl who would |