The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-01-15
uCortainIv = renlied Richard felgate


are usually inexplicable, save to those in
whose breasts they sprang. | shall not
attempt to explain mine to you, suflee
it that you placed me in false position
last MS int. Today come to set myself
right. =.
.sOh. YOU cant do that, you know,
broke in Bailey Roughton. Last night 5
affair is done with. We all have spree
sometimes. But last night ism this morn
ing. You can't expect to push yourself
in in this fashion, Mr.-Mr. Felgate.
He got up as he spoke and spread his legs
and Shook his head aggressively.
Felgate' face had flushed for moment,
and he made an involuntary movement
toward the younger man. Then his arms
fell to his side and he turned away
I'm afraid it $ useless to try to make
YOU understand. he said, slowly. For
that reason | won t make the attempt.
However. I am here to see Miss Rough
ton.
And | say you can't see her. Con
found it, sir, who are you:
That is matter YOU should have de
cided last night [ might be the greatest
villain unhung, and yet you brought me
here and left it to your sister to turn me
out of the place. If you knew more Of
the world you would understand that one
cannot slip out of things so easily as you
desire to do. am here to see Miss
RoughtOn.
..But-but what is your object?
Purely that Of courtesy, necessary
apology-a desire to set myself right IN the
eyes of lady who probably at this moment
regards me as BLACKBOARD. >
Il don't see that it is necessary.
Il insist
He was SO cool and determined about
the matter that he gained his point. even
to the extent Of interviewing the Young
woman alone. But it was remarkable,
after he had entered her presence, how
completely his manner changed. The easy
insoience was gone. almost before the door
had closed upon them.
My brother tells me there is something
YOU have to say t" me. sir. she began.
standing before him-a small. slim figure
full of dignity.
Il ask but moment he replied.
grayely. You would not let me speak
last night: am grateful that you should
give eraceleSs fellow the opportunity
now. | Was brought here last night under
IL wrong impression: have come to crave
y"'r forgiveness.
Why should YOU she asked. coldly
You told me you came as Il chance
acquaintance of my brother stranger
| had hoped You would 90 as-a stranger.
The words were more deliberately cruel
than she had intended. After all she had
seen this man only in an hour when lie
had stood as the companion of her disso-
lutte brother: the leader of that brother in
the sense that he was much older man
to that conclusion her woman mind
leaped Here was clearly the wolf. she
thought: her brother stood as the injured
lamb
Richard Eel gate bowed and moved to-
ward the door: there was almost Il si@ oh on
his lips
IL am sorry, he said You can
not. of course. understand that such Il man
as | am should feel any contrition-any
shame. :; :: :: Well, it doesn t mat
ter: was troubled about it little. that :
all There was mad feeling in my
heart that you-who are pure and good
might believe that :; :: :; o .
What does it matter what hoped? Once
again. am sorry. Good by.
He was zone. 1t was onl V when she
fully realized that she had cast him out Il
second time that her dignity relaxed. She
ran to the window and peered out with
Of anxiety; he was strolling idly
away. with his hands thrust deep in his
packets.
With that small event began the curious
change of feeling in her which ultimately
led to great happenings For, in the first
place, she racked her gentle bosom with
accusations for her unjust treatment Of
him. and, in direct consequence, began to
feel an interest in the worthless fellow who
had accepted her treatment Of him uSt
or unlust--with so much Of meeknesS.
Under ordinary circumstances she would
have been content to allow the matter to
he forgotten as an unpleasant incident :;
but now she was careful to discover his
name and to keep it in her memory; half
in the hope that she might learn something
of him-perhaps even something, she told
herself. which should prove her attitude
toward him had been correct.
She was soon to hear something At
the house of IA friend one afternoon the
name CT Richard Felgate was mentioned
tossed from lip to lip with that half
plying. halfcontemptuous accompaniment
with which we speak of the human fotsam
and jetsam of this world
WHO is the man ? asked little Miss
Rouehton. II seem to have heard his
name
My dear Dora, exclaimed her friend,
..evervone has heard his name-in the
wrong fashion. Immensely clever, my
dear, but thorough scamp. Very charm
ing man-those scamps always are-but
bound to end in one fashion, which we
won specify A creature absolutely with
out any guiding principle in him; acts on
the impulse of every moment, and that
impulse usually the wrong one.
What is he p asked the girl again.
''Oh, an artist, | believe Made quite
a success once with picture. Everyone
predicted great things of him. But now
he does any work which will bring him in
a scanty livelihood. \ scamp, my dear,
with but one ending before him.
The words haunted the girl, stirred
again the accusations which she had lev
eled at herself Whatever road this most
unworthy man might be travelling she
hated the thought that her hand should
have thrust him step or two on the
despairing journey.
Quite by accident, or by fate S ruling