Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-05-15
Twice Saved



MISS DORIS and her grobmi oan-.
lVI tered together across the downs
that swept in broad folds Of many
tinted greens toward the sea, flashing
and sparkling in golden sun CLEANS on
the horizon.
She, the i7-yesr-old only child of pa
rents married late in life, elderly now
with settled ways and habits accord
ing i'll with the lattertlay intrusion Of
restless youth--this growing up of the
daughter they doubtless loved butlittle
apprehended.
Fair she was and sweet, happy in her
recent emancipation from school re-
straints and trammels, content with
life, unaware as yet Of her lack of pa
rental comprehension aud control, her
youthful mind attuned TO all maiden
fancies in the modern garb CT "univer-
sal brotherhood" equality, the leyeling
OF class distinctions as preached 10y her
best loved schoolmate, the daughter of
an ardent. well-lSnown socialis. leader.
He who rode beside her at her own
request, a few years older only, good
looking, manly, with that air of clear
cut cleanliness common TO grooms in
general, not so very long ago the pride
of his schoolmaster, captain of the vii
age cricket club, refined, too, for his
class in speech and manners, steady
and sober in stables and kitchen, as his
fellow servants could have said.
In very truth were there not the ele-
ments of romance in the air9 Youth,
beauty, innocence, with the scent of
spring, the tanning Of the soft west
wind in the sunshine.
After awhile the girl drew rein, her
companion doing likewise, keeping his
horse a little back as though meaning
TO fall into his proper place behind her
But Miss Doris would have none of It;
she wished TO talk. and talk she would
when she so chose. Many a time it hap,
pened Of late during their morning
rides.
At first the groom had responded
shyly in ufonosyllables: Yes. miss
'No. miss" as the case required. in ;
manner little satisfactory TO enthusiasts
tic maiden attempts az surmountine
class barriers. but Miss Doris had tn,
courage of conviction-a little patienc,
and matters mended themselves.
A social evening" in the parish
schoolroom, including, among othe
items. would-be tragic reading
turned into hopeless comedy by III,
accident Of forgetfulness on the re
eiter's part. gave occasion. The groom
bashfully described a similar inciden
as happening at a like entertainment
In his own village home across the coun
~, and the ice was broken. the free
masonry of common joke establishe,
between this girl and her little NOR
than boy servant.
She had read much after fashion
and would talk Of many things will
he light. facie readiness of clever, i'm
mature womanhood lie could claim
acquaintance with but few authors
comparatively. bun be could listen will
lattering Difference aud intelligence
while she was quick 10 recognize hi
, genuine good sense and mental gras
, Of any subject be would venture al
, opinion on. though Il might be eN
, PRESSED In language a little less ele
, CANT than hers.
So days and weeks went on. and liiil
eckoued Miss Doris of anp harm sh
night be doing herself or him. Nei 1
he groom's credit'be ia said never ono
It'd he "presunie"--to use an old.iim
I word she douhiirss would have scouie
ION bis young mistress kindness
Sin did 1t need distinct request o
= ger part TO bring him 10 her side a
cow today.
\ word or TWO did she speak-ih
, beauty Of the sky. the sparkle Of III
: ia. then q puesiion-had he read
: book she had told him OFF
Yes" was bis answer. half Of Il. an
hat half he did not like az ALL \
argument. eager and somewhat hot o
l. ne lady's part. ensued. ihr groom sticl
a ng quietly and respectfully 10 h
e loini. while bis mistress Urriiaied. pc
q oaps. by the tidgeiiing Of her mar
D. hich could not brook couiradiciio
The matter OF wished-for gallon