The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-10-25

VITA yonr voice has narTreG rfe-s u
these twenty years. though l have only
heard it in my dreams"
His eyes were devouring her face, and
a flush Of youth crept into her cheeks at
his words.
Colonel Elliot invented a friend In the
distance and hurried after him
You looked at me on the drag just
now" she snid. little nervously. "and
you did not know me-"
Il was not expecting to see you," he
| said. He turned To walk with her, for
they were blocking the way.
sand how have you spent all these
twenty years?" be asked.
| 81 married. became a widow and have
been growing DID," she answered, a little
! quantity.
His face darbened. ayes. You,l Jet me
know when you married. That Was the
last letter / received from rou-the letter
which seemed to shatter my life"
"Ynu knew 1t was not my fault. My
fathers dedth-my mothers povery-the
| whole family would have starved lift
had waited for you"
'Then you should have allowed them to
starve," he said heartlessly. Were you
happyr he asked, after a minute OF two.
with tinge Of jealousy In his voice.
"He was much older than I. We had no
tastes In common. but he was always
kind to me. You married too" she said.
"Were you happyT'
He did not answer at once. and when
he did his voice was very bitter.
'Shc is dead he said. 1--WE will not
talk of her.
"Have you had tea?" he said, turning
! to her. Let us go and have it together"
He led her into the club tent. and they
sat down side by side.
This is like old times" he said.
YES" she said. Her restlessness had
| gone, and great content WIS stealing
over her soul.
He leaned little nearer. SIS there
any reason why the old times should not
come hnck?" he whispered.
"Old times can never return" she said
slowly.
mo. But we can make the new times
very like them. Josephine. our lives were
spoiled once because of the want of mon
ey. Don't you think we might take up
the thrend of our lives where we dropped
it twenty years ago."
at is so different" she said. "Then
was young nnd-beautiful."
"You are still more beautiful now. You
seem to forget. Josephine, that am old
er, too-five years older than you. I don't
want young girl for my wife. Ivan;
you"
Her gray eyes were shining as they
looked into his.
"But"- she said. att is so soon. You
know nothing about me. I might have
changed my very nature In twenty years
How can you tell in the few minutes we
have talked together today"
"Soon" he repeated. "Soon! When l
have been waiting all these years? 10.
sephine, your love could never have been
so strong as mine"
"Could it not?" she answered, with a
sigh. "Ah. IL you only knew what my
feelings were today when you glanced at
me on the drag and looked awnyr'
'"Then you will-you will consent? 2" he
cried
"Yes," she said. 81 will consent" And
she turned to him with smile which
sank into his heart.
Colonel Elliot met them as they walked
toward the gate.
"What, Mrs. Wilmot! Are you GO
already?" he said.
"Yes," smiling. 81 am dining early.
1 am going to the play tonight"
This was different Mrs. Wilmot from
the one who had sat on the drag. Colonc'
Elliot looked at her admiringly.
"Therc are great advantages in growine
DID," he said gravely Zone misses al
the heartachings and the weary watching
for some mnn who-somctimcs comes.
thought it might interest you 70 hear
Mira. Wilmot, knowing how you would
sympathize. I saw little Miss Blue sit
ting on the grass alone with the man sht
had been watching for. He seemed quite
content. while she looked radiant"
Mrs. Wilmot colored prettily, for there
was n twinkle in the colonel's eye.
81 am glad" she said. n little defiantly
''very glad that little Miss Blue has spent
a happy afternoon too."-Mainly About
PeOnle