The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-08-05

U
by step, slowly but surely.
Meanwhile, | saw good deal of Harold
Marsden, who took his degree with honors,
and, having got himself called to the bar,
set to work with will at the profession
he had chosen. Much as | liked Robin,
could not help thinking sometimes that
it was good thing for Harold that he was
removed from his influence.
Well, the years rolled by, and in du-
course the time that comes sooner or later
to all men came to Sir John Charters.
That is to say he died and was buried
with his fathers, and Robin his son reigned
in his stead
When Robin came home, was sur.
prised to see how little change nine years
had made in him. He went away a boy
of twenty-one. he came back man of
thirty, but beyond that the change was
but slight He had the same happy go
lucky, boyish manner, the same eager
smile, and the same kind, generous heart.
1t was a great pleasure to me to shake
hands with him again, one of the greatest
pleasures have ever had; and | said so,
in the warmest terms | could think Of.
He laughed his old infectious laugh
Thank You, colonel he said "You
always were a good sort, and see you re
4 good sort still | believe all you say
and thank you for it.
Robin went down to Charters for bit
to talk business and look into The affairs
of the estate. and then, as it was May, he
came up to town for the season. | in
yiled him to share my quarters, and that
he was very glad to do All his cid
friends rallied round him, invitations poured
in from every side, and he took up the
thread Of the old life rgain with zest that
was half-amusing aud half pathetic in the
ewes Of more or less blase man of the
world like myself
Everything would have gone well if it
had not been for woman. Oh : these
women When will they cease to further
trouble aud eomplicate world that is al
ready troubled and complicated enough,
heaven knows When. did say Well,
perhaps when the sun Of this life has set
for all time, and the last kiss of the last
man has grown cold and dead on the lips
of the last woman.
Poor old Robin 1t never occurred To
me that he would fall in love with my
niece. Monica; but h did, all the same
And that was the end Of all things.
He came slowly into my room one night
and his face looked as it had looked on Il
certain never forgotten day nine years ago.
Done again, colonel, he said, witha
pitiful attempt at a smile, 'and going
under again. That about all m fit for,
| think.
He leaned on the mantel- piece and let
his head fall on his hands with something
very much ike 4 groan looked at him
woDderingly, for not the iaintest glmmer
Of the truth had As yet penetrated to my
dull brain
.Wha, Is it, Robin p | asked Not
cards again Surely not cards again ?
He raised his head at that
No, he said bitterly, 1t ism cards
again-it's : a woman this time There :
nothing Ike woman, colonel, for sending
man headlong to the devil
'.Oh. a woman ! | repeated blankly,
turning over in my own mind the names Of
all the married women Of our aequaint-
ance. A woman, Robin That sounds
bad Who Is she 2?
Monica, said Robin.
| simply gasped Fool that was, |
had never suspected such complication
as this.
Monica | echoed, feebly. "Oh!
Monica. IL never thought Of Monica.
Robin laughed-a short, hard laugh.
Il have thought Of no one but Monica
lately. he said, .and don think |
shall ever think of any one else again.
She isn the sort of woman man for
gets
But, my dear boy, said, my
dear boy. it its-its-its-'
Hopeless. Robin finished, laughing
again. you needn' tell me that, colonel.
| know ii-now
said nothing for a moment, while |
pondered this new and unexpected situa-
ton
Have you said anything to Monioa?'
| asked at last
Yes, Robin answered, drearily, L
spoke to her tonight, and she told me that
she had accepted Harold Marsden just an
hour before
| was silent. This was not unexpected
news at all events, for had been watch
ing the development Of the affair for some
time; as pretty little love idyll as had
ever seen.
.She told me that she had accepted
Harold Marsden an hour before, Robin
said again 'and that stung me, | can tell
YOU; but there was something that stuns
me more, and that was the way she looked
at me: the way she received my offer
She looked at me somehow as if had no
! right to ask her 10 marry me-,almost as
/ if the love that | offered her was an in
suit Can you-can YOU understand it,
| colonel?
He looked straight at me as he asked
the question, and | felt desperately un-
comfortable, for | understood only too
well.
II IN afraid | can, Robin, answered,
hurriedly, for it was no good beating about
the bush: I'm afraid Monica remembers
that old story, you know, and that 5 what
it is. You see, she knew you when ii
happened, and she was old enough to un-
derstand what it meant, and-and-and
- Oh you know, there 5 no account
Ing for women It's better to steer clear
of them if you can.
Robin turned rather white.
THAT old story he repeated, in a
low tone. is it to stick to me to the
end of time then? Am | never to rise
above it-neyer to blot out the shame and
misery and degradation of it? Is my
whole life to pay the price of one rash mo-
ment? Oh my Godr'
| felt more uncomfortable than ever.
.'As far as the world goes, - said
you have risen above it, and it is blotted
out. But this is Monica-and Monica is
different
Robin was still looking at me.
Monica is good woman, he said
.sand | thought good women were gener-
Gus and pitiful and tender to-to those
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