The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-05-19

said before, you will have to take the
consequences if you fail in yours.
''My duty to the firm must be the Sec
ondary consideration in this case, Mr..
Bunting" replied Hinde. ''I cannot
send the cable, and whatever the conse-
quences, | must accept them. "
Without another word he went out of
the room and walked to his desk 1t was
after 6 o clock by this time, and most Of
the clerks were gone, but he stayed at his
post till the hands of the clock pointed to
Z, putting his papers in perfect order
against his expected dismissal next day.
An hour later Hinde was sitting in the
cosy little drawing room Of house in
A bright fire was burning in the CRATE
and shaded lamp in corner of the room
difused soft glow throughout the apart
ment The furniture in the room was in
expensive, but few delicate water color
drawigs on the walls and the fresh chrys-
anthemums in vases on the mantel shelf
and on the occasional table and piano were
evidences of a refined taste of their owner
In the centre of the mantel shelf stood a
tull-length photograph of Hinde himself.
He was taken standing erect, one hand
grasping the lapel of his coat, his head
thrown back, and look in his fine eyes
which seemed to defy the universe.
He sat now in his chair facing the pho
tograph and soliloquized
"Yes,' he said in low tone of voice,
"you seem to think you're fine, indie
pendent sort of a chap, quite ready to say
Come on to anyone, and certain that it
won t be you that will get the worst of the
now fight. And you've said it, and |
hope you're satisfied What right has a
poor beggar like you to indulge in the lux
ury of a conscience ? Heigho Well,
you We game your ain gait, and you know
what the result will be. I'VE hereby give
you notice to leave our employment. In
plain words, Dick Hinde, your pernickety
conscience has got you the sack, and
Isobel-ah my darling Isobel l'-his
voice softened, and his bright eyes grew
din as he murmured
Il could not love thee, dear, so much,
Loved | not honor more"
A pair of soft hands covered his eyes;
there was a musical laugh behind him, and
merry voice demanded
''And who is this Miss Honor that you
love so much, sir2 shall keep you
blinded till you tell me. Do you want to
make me jealous 2
Hinie gently raised the hands from his
eyes, and smiled up to the sweet young
face that was looking down on him over
the back of the chair.
"Ah you witch, he said, tenderly.
"when | am with you l am always blind
to everything save your dear face
He rose and took her in his arms, and
their lips met in lovers kiss. Some
minutes went past without a. spoken word
from either, so delightful is the conversa-
ton that can be carried on in certain cir
cumstances by the language of the eyes.
Then Isobel sighed happily, blushed, and
said /:
''Oh, Dick, you're DREADFUL l don t
know what my hair must be like. :"
'It's perfectly beautiful, " said Dick,
truthfully. "You look, if possible, even
more charming than usual when it is ruff
fed. These little curls about your neck
are like waves of gold, only they are a
thousand times more beautiful than gold.
You must remember, darling, how long it
is since saw you last. 1t is twenty
why, it's twenty -one hours.
Isobel Masters glanced at the clock on
the mantelpiece.
''You are wrong, sir, she cried, laugh
ing. at is exactly twenty two hours now.
And, by the way" she added, ''you are
late tonight. Were you very busy at the
Office
Hinde's face fell
''Sit down, darling he said gravely.
II have something to tell you
Isobel airy manner disappeared in a
moment
is there anything wrong, dear 2 she
asked, as Dick led her to chair and sat
down beside her.
ssYes, there is something wrong, he
replied, and then he related the events of
the afternoon.
The girl listened intently to his story,
her bright young face growing serious as he
proceeded.
Sand now, he concluded, 81 may al
well look out for another situation at once.
expect my dismissal as soon as ! go in
tomorrow morning 1t is hard, indeed, is
it not, especially when we were looking
forward to being married so soon p
''Oh my own love r cried Isobel,
kissing him tenderly on the forehead, "you
have made me SO happy" Her eyes filled
with tears, but they were tears of joy.
at is hard, and yet it is not hard. You
could not have have done otherwise, and
you know, Dick, we can wait. Better 50
than that you should do what is not right. =
Che spoilad hravplv and as Dick took her