The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-10-22
will tell you what | know. You believ

prise. miss Elsie who told you that
"You forget my supernatural powersl
she retorted ''But, | assure you, that
belief is altogether wrong, am fairy
and your good friend and I am going to
prevent this-disaster.
'How p he asked, after a moment s
hesitation and with an odd expression on
his face.
For the first time, then, she hesitated
''Well, you know, [ am-an heiress, "
she said with a shrug and a funny little
move Il used to think so much money
would be a dreadful nuisance; lately I've
thought it would prove an awful response
bility; now | know it's the most glorious
of opportunities! Why, I'm just going to
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 a 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,
you forget that you are minor, and that
your guardian is-well, no friend of miner'
''You are mistaken | have been of
age since yesterday And I've given my
uncle warning of just what [ intend to
do =
There was something unreal about all
this to Darcy the music, the passing to
and fro of the ever-increasing throng of
guests, many of them greeted them gaily
as they passed; and all the while his part
ner, beautiful Elsie Prime, in low, clear
tones, was going on with her astonishing
proposition, as if it were the most natural
thing in all the world
'Lsten to me, Mr.. Darcy, she con-
tinued, land don't be blind, pig-headed
idiot, and rush straight to your destruc-
tion know just how much you need
to carry you over this crisis and give you
the firm footing which will lead to pros
perity''
"But how do you know all this ?
ooh, fairies know everything But
there was a conversation | unwittingly
overheard between Uncle John and Bob.
Then [ went to Mr.. Perrine, and from
him learned all the rest. 1t is a shame
But let my uncle once see that he has not
the power he thinks, and hereafter he will
not try to harm you.
but, if this thing should happen, i
do not say it will ll,-you must not connect
your uncle with my misfortunes, he
said, magnanimously. ''It is in the air !
[ have failed twice already, "a third crash
will be final
'Nonsense Number one was due to
boy inexperience. Number two, to 4
financial crisis, where nine out of every
ten went down. And now, if you will be
COED, there will never be three And
you must have no difidence about doing
what | ask; to me it is the merest baga-
telle. | could lose the entire amount, yes,
and twice or three times over, and never
miss it So you need have no scruples
about taking it, and
''And still decidedly refuse 1t is
something beautiful Of you beyond all
words, Miss Elsie, but
''But you won take it?''
mo. | won't take it.
Her brilliant eyes sparkled strangely
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 | couldn save you from ruin
that you simply wouldn't allow yourself to
be saved. How pigheaded and obstinate
you men are ! You would rather fail
miserably and go away to some horrible
uncivilized place than owe anything to a
friend who is ridiclously and disgustingly
rich-simply because she is a girl ! You
men are the querest, most irrational beings
1 ever saw Why can't you give me
this pleasure? It's the first nice thing
I've ever really wanted to do; but [ be-
lieve you want to fail, and that you will
be glad to go away and never see any of
your friends again =
at will be like death to go-and never
zee you" he murmured.
She ignored his words, and went on
quickly. ''Very well, l cannot alter your
nature, but at least in one way / can do
what will with my own And-if it's
not asking too much of you-will you
kindly accompany me up to MIR. Perrine s
study for just a moment, nt,-now, before
the cotillon begins? He is my lawyer,
you know, and [ have an appointment with
him.
"What is it that you intend to do p
asked Darcy, doubtfully.
"Merely to sign a deed of gift, she
said, quite cody, "and | would like you
to witness it. For, in the case of your
refusal to do what [ have asked, l de
termined to give five hundred thousand
dollars, out and out, to establish Refuge
for Homeless Cats.
"Miss Elsie, you are not in earnest
~ am in earnest, as you will soon find
out | saw Mr. Perrine this morning,
and explained just what [ wanted to do,
and, failing in that, just what I
should do; and now he has the two papers
upstairs, ready for my signature. One
relates to you; by a stroke of my pen 1
could enable you to 90 on-to fortune.
By your refusal you lessen my fortune
much more preceptibly; but then-it will
hannfit the catS ~
"But your uncle, and Mr. Perrine,-
they will not allow you to sign away such
sums of money so madly-''
81 am my own mistress, and can do
what | please with my own; at least
with queer little quaver in her voice, II
thought | could-until a minute or two
ago Dick Darcy" she added, impet-
uously, ''if proud man like you would
do this thing for girl like me. she would