The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-09-06
VOL. XXXVII.--NO. 46.

he asked, playfully. "As yet, it is only
in the clouds, you know''
She forced smile.
II think [ can, she said.
son Wednesday Laurence was invited
| to great Minister'S reception And
what do you think, Margaret FL went,
too r he cried, triumphantly sLord
Ashbury heard that | was in town and in
sisted on Laurence bringing me. Was it
not kind of him? Everybody l was intro
duced to spoke of Laurence's future.
They said he would be in the Cabinet
within the next ten years, or possibly, even
less-think of that, my dear-the Cabi-
net r.
"But your news p asked Margaret,
quietly.
The old man s eyes cleaned.
'sIt's an open secret up there, he
| whispered, s'that Lady Helen, Lord Ash
bury s daughter, is in love with him-that
he has only to say the word, and she will
accept him T.
He looked at Margaret to see the effect
of his announcement Apparently she
was perfectly unmoved He could not
see that the hand behind her was trembling
like leaf.
ssThink what marriage like that would
mean for my boy, Margaret he cried
s'Lord Ashbury, they say, has no objec-
| ton to the match. He thinks Laurence
the man of the future. As his on-in-l law,
he would be of the greatest possible use in
giving him his influence Then, again,
Laurence has only few hundreds year
private money. Lady Helen is very
wealthy, and could give him the position,
in society he will need. 1t would be
wonderful match, Margaret r
Wonderful p she said, in low tone.
"With such marriage nothing can stop
him. He might be Premier, one day
who knowsl Premier. Margaret he
cried
She opened one of the papers.
Sand Lady Helen-what is she like?''
she asked. calmly.
The old man face lighted up
''Tall, graceful beautiful woman
leader in society, brilliant conversa-
tionalist- one of the few women who know
anything about politics!'' he exclaimed
'sAnd she is in love with Laurence, fasci-
mated by his personality r
The girl turned over leaf of the paper.
'sAnd what does he say?' she asked.
Say / never dared to even hint of it
to himr' he returned. 'But, of course,
he would never be mad enough to let such
a chance slip by They are admirably
suited to one another. A daughter Of
Lord Ashbury, too! 1t would be mad
nessr'
"And you would wish it yourself ?"
asked Margaret, in very low voice.
s'Wish itl' he cried ''I desire it
above all things | am an old man, Mar
garet, my dear, and Laurence and his
career are all that / have left IF / live
to see him one of the great men of the
nation shall be happy he finished,
tremulously.
The girl glanced at him for moment.
Then, with sudden quick look of reso-
luton she sat down at her writing table.
''It is getting near post time, she said,
in hard voice. 'and have letter that
must go. Will you excuse me for mo-
ment p
ssDear me-so late r he cried
s'Write, by all means, and will drop your
letter in the box on my way back.
Margaret head was bent over her let
ter. He could not see her face, but she
was writing vigorously. At length she
finished, read it through and addressed an
envelope. She stamped it and rose from
her seat She was very white, but he
did not notice it.
"Done p she said, with smile.
He got up from his chair and took the
envelope from her hand.
She picked up three others from the
table.
''Would you mind dropping these in at
the same time p she said.
He was studying the address of the first
letter she had just written.
can old friend privilege 7 he said,
looking up at her with an inquiring smile
''I see this is to the doctor Is what we
have all been rather expecting going to
happen at last ?
He saw her change color. He took a
step forward and caught her hand in his.
He is good man, Margaret he said,
kindly. 81 am glad. y
A mist rose in her eyes.
''Thank you" she murmured.
~ was so certain, he continued, "that
I gave Laurence hint. | thought of it
Just as he was seeing me off. y
you told Laurence Did he say any
thing?" she said quickly.
aHe had no time, the old man replied,
with laugh. 81 told him as the train
was moving. He knows the doctor, and
will be pleased. Now | must be of, my
dear
She saw him out, and then, returning
to the room, flung herself down in chair.
The tears coursed down her cheeks.
ut was the only way she cried.
sHe would never do it without-his career
must come before everything his
fathers sake-his own sake He will
understand
x x x X
1t was seven O clock that evening as a
tall young man leaped from the London
train at Sonningford station. The porter
touched his cap as he recognized him, for
the little town was proud of Laurence
Mantell, NJ. P.
He ordered his bag to be sent to his
| fathers house, then set out to walk the
distance. The night was lovely, the coun-
try road rock hard under foot. He strobe
on, deep in thought. He had not intended
to visit Sonningford; nothing had been
further from his thoughts that morning.
Always busy, he was particularly hard
pressed just now, but the words his father
had flung at him as the train was moving
had haunted him all day. He could think
of nothing else. At last, acting on i'm
pulse, he had cancelled his engagement for
tho evenino and come down to SoDningford.