Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-02-08
AUNT MEG'S COLUMN.

you're in love.
How on earth did you find that
out?" he muttered.
Experience and casual obserya-
ton" replied Lancaster. shortly by
the by. saw Milly Holsworth today"
Then, with a grin. I'm. thought I
wasn't far out. Shes a nice girl.
Harry. and a clever one. Women
nowadays who are good looking and
can earn their own living are in great
demand in the matrimonial market. 50
I'm told. and can quite believe it."
YES" groaned Ellington. but when
a man has only n paltry twelve hun
bred and fifty year the idea of -er-
er-even proposing to a lady who can
buy him up might give rise to IN
pleasant COMMENSURATE"
Personally. l should try my luck.
Faint heart etc, you know. You
never know what may transpire. Say
you decide TO see how absence might
affect the case and to wait until
your return from England. She might
be snapped up in the meantime. Per
haps the steamer might founder, and
and"
Don't Lancaster, don't" shuddered
Ellington. Your advice. old chap.
fear has not advanced the improve
ment of the outlook AZ all"
Then the only course that remains
open for you is to consult Aunt Meg.
sighed Lancaster.
- Aunt Meg, Who is she? And what's
he got to do with it?'
Aunt Meg is lady connected with
popular publication entitled The
Daisy" whose official duty it is to re-
ceiye and reply to, through the cci-
umns of the aforesaid journal, all
questions that may be submitted to
her notice on the all important theme
Of love and its attendant trials. mis-
understandings and vagaries in gen
eral."
Consult Aunt Meg" the words
seemed to ring in Ellington's ears tor
come time after the departure of his
friend Lancaster.
"A precious fool I'd be thought" he
unused. "supposing | was idio-
enough to trust my private affairs %
the tender mercies of q modern lady
journalist. if the story leaked out.
Certainly one might write uzder a
nom de plume or initials, but then
don't believe in such rot
Half an hours meditation. however.
served to put matters before him in a
different light. He reflected that the
journal in question bore very high
character, and he resolved to try Aunt
Meg.
After due destruction OF various
sheets of note paper. his communica-
ton was at last fairly neatly trans
cribed and ran as follows:
ITO Aunt Meg. Daisy Office. 400
Fleet street, L. c.:
Madam trust you may be able
to successfully advise ire as to my
actions in the following matter: To be
brief. am aged 30 and am in receipt
OF an annual income of twelve hundred
and fifty dollars as private secretary
10 a titled gentleman. who Is about Ia
depart on a voyage of infinite duration
in three weeks time fer his health's
sake, and | am to accompany him. \
month ago made the acquaintance Of
q charming lady about my own age.
and we have met at various intervals
ever since.
AS you will already have surmised.
an deeply in love with her. though
have not as yet declared my passion.
As far as ! am aware. from the state
ment of a friend, she is in receipt III
an income exceeding mine by two hun
and fifty dollars per annum. de
from her employment. the ex
azure of which. however. owing
lie shortness OF Our acquaintance.
1 am unfortunately in ignorance
beyond that it is something in city
Office
Il have every reason to believe that
my attentions. such as they have been.
are not altogether distasteful What
would you advise me TO do? Ask he:
now and risk slender income. or
wait until | am in more ahluent ci:'-
cumstances, which chance is slightly
remote at the present outlook?
II. 4. E."
Two Saturdays passed and left him
In the deepest depths of despair. ow-
ing to the nonappearance of a reply
o his communication.
In the meantime he met Mildred
Ellsworth on two occasions at the
)use of a mutual acquaintance and
ice was almost on the verge of 4
declaration. but checked himself in
time to save making himself an arraa:
ass. as he termed il.
II was with feyerish excitement that
he opened the last issue of the Daisy
lblished before he left England.
az rly he scanned the page sacredy
apart for the benefit of Aunt
and her amorous amblings
1t was there at last,
A. E-:-Waste no time. but go
SIX her at once. If l judge
y from the tone of your letter,
eed scarcely have any apprehea-
Is to the nature of her reply. AS
1etary matters, a girl who can
'fortably manage and be happy
anited income doesn't deserve
nd at ALL"
all owe The last slipper
Is COZ in the air and -