The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-10-13
LOVE ASTRIDE
A BROOMSTICK


There's Hester-vL!king oss!de Ma
jor A-notts chair again Really. Per
cy, she's aT:u..y good -natlrei.'
Percy Beyis dropped his eye: 70 the
lower terrace. took % his lat 70 ths
woman. nodded 20 ne man. thea turn
ed and smiled a Mrs Vincents face.
Hes er's a Gear girl. aunt; In very
scnd Of aer; but she has mania fer
ths Diseased which il almost uAWAelN-
some"
His aunt laughed.
That cripple fellow. now. he'd Be
bound TO appeal 10 her Her heart Is
a regular Hospital for Incurasles.
We'll, come, now; rs sad case
Mrs. Vincent spoke indulgently. Par
slySis at thirty-seyen; such a bright
career! He did great things in India,
I'm told"
He was an able oticer, certainly.
But Their" -lightly-"u alaria's the
dsrce, You never know what after
mAth Of disease It may leave behind
H."
/ was al Eastbourne. The band was
playing They talked or listened 10
turn, pacing up and down.
Said Mrs. Vincent presently. with
downward nod. which. gentle though
1t was, set the bird of paradise plumes
in her bonnet waving oravely:
When is il 30 be, Percy? Have you
spoken 10 her yet? On, come, now
her nephew teigning innocence
there's been some sort OF understand
ing between you for the last eight
years. Isn't it time yeu came 10 some
Tins dennite?"
ITO he definite" said Mr.. Bevis, in
his airy, cemplacent way, is to be
dlll 1t is the Incomprehensible 0hat
attracts and holds attention. AS proof
o. The stopped, glanced down. then
laughed-'I don't mind contrasting that
only Hester's inaceessibility has kept
me faithful all these years"
"Falthful?' Mrs. \ Incent's upper lip
cEvlled at the word.
We'll? It's a good. old-tashiened viz
tue"
My dear boy, Do you suppose
haven't heard OF your numerous hirta-
tions?-with the pretty widow in Cey-
lou that horrid Barker girl Al Glib
raltar; then tAs woman with the red
hair and equally rudy reputation: the
-"
"Sh, 'Sa"-her nephew, softly child
Ing her !ndiscretion IN thus discussing
his. strugs ed teebly, with the SNUG
smile Of com plscence A lady passed
them. He broke Of, whispering, Fine
woman, that"
Mrs. Vincen: turned her head. She
ought to be, dryly. q know her well
By sight Gets her figure and her gowns
from my own tailor Well. there's
truth In what you say. Men are drawn
20 the mysterious, as inevitably az a
chld's eyes are attracted BY a tarthing
rushlight"
Mrs. vincent's worldly little laugh
rang out
How the stories OF our youth mis-
lead Us, The sex OF the Bluebeards
should have been reversed; il is he
who would have gone picking the lock
OF bis wife's ibilities,
having succeeded O. course. she would
have ceased TO interest him"
Come, come, now, aunt; one. Eve
has handed down other traditions"
Eve, Eve is out Of date. hopelassly
oldfashioRed, Ike our grandnothars
Woman has progressed since Ewes
time, handing her babies and weakness
over 10 her husband TO nurse Besides.
you forget'-a CLEAN OF malicious hu-
NOR sFarkled in her eyes-"while you
have been waiting for dead mems shoes
and Hester has been looking round
for hor vocation. Time has no; been
standing still with either
Good gracious, aunt his tone ex-
pressed snXiety-"do I look decreplt?
taye all my teeth left, I assure you"
you are thirty-one," his aunt re.
minded him; Hes er twenty-nine. In
like yun she looks her age, an ex-
trems.y lily thing for woman of the
world TO do
If Hester looks her age" said Mr..
Beyis presently. tits certainly through
ne excess OF sentiment or feeling. She's
the embodiment Of propriety, OF cold,
calm Pressivensss. She reminds ue."
ne added. with his eyes half closed
"ot frozen lake"
"Af,eT a twelve-hours' frost-exact-
~ Don't trust to appearances; the ice
Is very thin"
Mrs Vincent glanced about. Her
nephew was growing interested.
The Danger board attracts me-" In
quite another tone, There's a delight.
ful sort Of enjoyment In skating over
the risky places"
You'll 80 through"
"a cold bath 10 always invigorating. 4"
"Un!" She shot a shrewd glance AZ
the obstinate face beside her. Take
care you don't and eddies and under
currents you little dream Of. 'Shl
they're playing Chopin. Hester's not
In sight Find me Q chair: ] want -
rest and listen"
On the lower parade Mas Wolsteo'
croft was walking. her hand On tn
arm Of The pAralytie's chair.
Il c0HlA Do Il In half the ume." a.
was assuring him WITH insistancA.
TIE answer came IL . dry tone: TOT
measure WIKI Q womaa's eye, Miss Wei
0eencrofs, and they are ell a@ictsd viii
Q aeoMstSieA squat"
'Oh!"
~rAs tAiagis iapossibis. I tell yea
EAa niee % twice the lengtA you esu
@AaA ! ooul1at run u nyssle n IN
lR~