Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-12-27
| THE FHIRTY-FIRST DAY.

with a stole satisfaction. For three
weeks now he had denied himself the
exhilarating influence of Eleanor Dun
cans society. He was indeed holding
firmly TO his promise-the promise he
had given to his highest self on the
day that Roy HaGley, all unconscious
of the wound he was infiicting, impul-
sively confided to him his love fer
Eleanor.
Even while he marvelled at Hadley's
blindness, Pearson had resolutely de-
termined to be loyal TO the friendship
which. begun at college, had strength
ened into sturdy bond seemingly i'm
possible of dissolution.
Roy Hadley should be given fair
chance. as far as Parsons absence
from the field was concerned. Thus
the latter had resolved. Thus he had
acted. even to the present day-the
twenty-first day since he had made
this premise.
Twenty-cne days without glimpse OF
her. They were 81 months-nay
years-instead of days.
Pearson began TO wonder at his SUI
perb self-control and to congratulate
himself upon the heroic strength of
his invincible will. The fact that his
unruly thoughts revealed in sweet
j, imaginings did not as yet impress him
being inconsistent. So he stepped
ais soul in dreams of her and let deli
cious memories have their sway.
1t was not until the 25th day that
impressed him with sense of disloy-
atty. The startling accusation OF an
aggressive conscience awakened with
In him a fire of rebelli0i
81 may chain my body" he protest
ed, but not my thoughts. my longings.
the very impulses of my being, They
belong to Eleanor. They will always
belong to her-to crush them would be
to crush life itself"
The Goth day, nevertheless, found
him struggling against he dear imag-
inings which heretofore had fed his
love and compensated in some de-
gree for the sacrifice he was making.
Unconsciously at first, then with direct
intent, he strove 10 curb even the ten
der secret thoughts which. following
the lead of his longing, winged their
fight toward Eleanor by day and
night.
Meanwhile he avoided too frequent
meetings with Hadley. nor did he en-
courage further condolences. He at
least need not force himself to endure
another ordeal of that nature.
Then came the 31st day, when Pear
son. looking heavily about him, won
dered at the blank jesolation that had
settled upon the earth. For four en-
tire days he mad succeeded in keep
ing Eleanor out of his thoughts. But
where now was the motive for living?
Ambition, incentive. inspiration-all
had left him. His heart was of lead.
his soul of stone.
Again rebellion shook him. 1T is
because have shut her out of my life.
II is wrong-wrong, love her-love
her."
The old influence swept upon him
once more. magnetizing his thoughts,
thrilling his world with color.
It was In the early afternoon that he
strolled through the park in the vici-
nifty of Eleanor's home. OF course,
he would not for the world break that
sacred promise of his by venturing
near her residence. He merely wished
to breathe the pure air and witness the
~ ~ nc
BY no effort of will could he resist
the onslaught of dear memories that
attacked him as he paced the pebbly
paths and let the magic of that ex-
quisite day thrill through him. Elean-
or, Eleanor! The image of her shone
everywhere. Radiant blue sky, deli
cious air, budding green things. vast
sweeps of velvety turfs, fragrance, sun
shine-and Eleanor. II was all
Eleanor,
He walked on and on, in a tumult of
happiness. At a turn in the path a
sudden glorious premonition throbbed
through him. He looked up. The i'm
age of his brain resolved itself into the
real image. Coming down the path
toward him was the flesh and blood
Eleanor. radiantly sweet in her dainty
spring attire.
There was no installing the fact that
her eyes grew luminous at sight Of
him.
"You." she cried. Where have you
been all this time? One whole month";
Pearson murmured some unintelli-
gible apology. He was aware of but
one thing now-the intoxication of ner
actual presence.
For shame, sir, l fear. after all,
you are at heart a selfish recluse."
There was a bench near by and they
unconsciously moved toward it and
seated themselves. Pearson looked at
her and tried to think of a fitting re-
ply to her accusation. A soft haze
hung palpitating before his eyes. Out
Of this haze her face smiled upon him.
"You have, of course, seen Hadley?"
he at length questioned
"Oh yes-he comes very often. But
you-you have not treated me as he
has. You have forgotten me. Con-
fess!"