The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-02-23
M|SUNDERSTA ND|NGS
The Difficulty Mr.. Frederick Mors-
dale Found In Proposing.


his musty, cramped office, staring grimly
out of the window at the ceaseless stream
Of noisy vehicles on the dingy street be-
low.
Morsdale inwardly cursed the necessity
that chained him to his colorless, profit
less life and longcd with the feverish
longing of youth for something different,
come in what form it would.
The thought of the months he had
shaved and skimped without sufficient
compensation to even pay his dues at
the golf club! And, worse still, men
were there, scores of them, who, without
an effort, could give her the position in
life that would never be his. And most
Of them were willing, too-as willing as
he was. That was what made Morsdale
scowl.
You will say, ANY man is a fool to
fall in love in his position" Undoubted-
ly SO. Morsdale acknowledged it him
self. But did that help the matter?
There always have been fools, and there
always will be.
But there was something more crafty
ing in store for this particular one than
having to Tive 1t down"
One day the postman paid an unusual
visit and delivered an unusual letter. 1t
was posthumous and read:
''To the only son of my benefactor: 1t
Is only a few thousands, but it is my all,
and like enough to help fellow over
stump now and then. To your fathers
boy, in remembrance of that day of hor-
ror at Gettysburg, when a spoonful of
water stood between one man and death
and another poured the last drop from
his old canteen into the dying mans
parched throat The last man was my
self and the other your father, who, ever
afterward proved tried and faithful
friend"
Enclosed was a draft for the full
amount, payable TO Frederick Fl. Mors-
dale, attorney and counselor at law. Ev-
erything seemed to dance before his eyes.
Holding the slip up to the light. Mors-
dale stared at it, puzzled and bewilder-
ed, his system undergoing something very
like an electric shock. Good news has
often just such an effect.
Could it be a joke or a hallucination?
Morsdale read it over and over again,
with increasing ecstasy after each pc
rusal. No. it was not dream. There it
was in black and white, just as sure and
solid as the rock of Gibraltar.
Hereafter it should be F. Haroldson
Morsdale. and the sign would swing from
one of the big office buildings on Broad
way. Steadying his senses after awhile
and with q full realization Of all that q
hundred thousand meant to him, Mors-
dale dived into his pocket and brought
out blue tinted envelope family redo
lent Of fresh violets. His eyes rested
on the envelope in dreamy contemplation
for n moment. and the familiar signature
caused his heart to throb faster and with
hope such as he had not known before.
Singularly enough. it was nm invitation
to call that very afternoon. "My red
letter day." said Morsdale to himself as
he locked his office door and ran whis-
Ting down three flights Of narrow stairs.
AS he walked on through the gathering
shadows. the light OF the dying day
touching everything with sofrradiance.
he fell to dreaming of past vicissitudcs
and then of the new vista of possibilities
about to open up before him. He knew
that his talent was no mean one and felt
with n thrill of pride that. the desire Of
his heart fulfilled. there would be nothing
lacking to make his career n successful
one.
And then there came n lurking doubt,
as there always will. perhaps she did not
care for him in that way at oil or, worse
still. care for somebody else! The thought
caused him n momentary pang: but.
thrusting it aside with the sanguineness
of youth he hurried on his way with
quickened pulse. AS he drew near he
swept the veranda with half anxious.
half expactant eyes for signs of her. The
next instant he was standing on the stone
step and she coming forward with out
stretched hand to receive him.
$50 glad to see YOU" she said. with
her pretty charming accent. which bare
ly missed n drawl. while the peach flush
on her face dccpened just trife.
81 hardly hoped to find you alone"
began Morsdale in his frank genial way.
making no effort to conceal his delight.
She was smiling up at him with Il dash
of light in her fine gray eyes. and the
twilight, playing in soft gray shadows on
her cloudy gown. brought out the pure
transparency Of her face. Morsdale flung
one knee over the other and then back
again, regarding her the while with ad-
miring eyes. He fully intended to say it.
but with absolutely 10 experience in that
particular line the question arose as tc
''preliminaries."
After debating for q moment he dipped
the ashes from the end of his cigar and
leaned closer to her, q sudden resolve in
his face.
Miss Dolores
He looked ut her little obviously a.
her eyes met his in A questioning way,
and the faintest Of smiles glinted about
her curved lips. Yes" she said. draw
Ing a jacqucminot rose from among the
fluffy faces that framed her throat and
with nervous fingers plucking out the
crimson, velvety petals.
She gave him Il side glance and smooth
ed out the folds of her gown. 1t was
little way she had Indicative OF undivided
attention.
Morsdale took on added courage.
He fixed his dark eyes on her search
ingly and said:
81 have had good news-such good
news" he reiterated, with a glow of
pride, as he watched her narrowly for
some answering light.
"You don't say, really" said Dolores,
with frivolous smile. $50 have Just
splendid" She leaned forward, claspng
both hands about her knee in an uncon-
ventional way that Morsdale liked. He
pondered n moment, his eyes resting upon
her in pleased contemplation. At her last
words his clear, thoughtful face in the
gray light looked shade more thought
full than usual.
mine is good news-in every respect"
he went on suggestively. his eyes seeking
hers with great tenderness.
But Dolores was looking away and did
not see.
"Yes." no continued radiantly; 'it
takes in everything. and p
well, u broke in the young woman
Iaughingly-
''Please DON'T" pleaded Morsdals. Its
very serious"
"Oh, beg pardon, but do you"-
''Let me finish then. YOU
"Oh, dear! Well But do hurry,
"WclI?"
81 have some Oh, go onw
"There's another thing-I want to say
first"
Dolores sighed and folded her hands
over each other.
''Whcncver will you"-
well, then. IL think I'm In love-"
blured out Morsdale, flushing TO the
roots Of his hair.
"Oh, you-that is-of course. / under
stand" she said confusedly, pulling at
the lace edge of her handkerchief with
out looking up.
Morsdale colored painfully. "Do you
think sheer
"How..cnn I tell? ..Yolnught to be"~.