The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-12-27

| wac 9dii anu Sttttciy, Will tue ucdTiuS Vi q
woman, sweet and without arrogance, but
accustomed from infancy to homage. Hel
neck and arms were delicately pink, but
her face was brown, as if the tan of sum
mer exposure had not worn away. She
looked out of her lustrous hazel eyes, how
ever, in calm disregard of any blemish, and
carried her straight, up fitting little nose
with the serenity of the conqueror she was.
cit will be my first glimpse of a real
Governor" she was confding to her chap
eron ~ have seen Rajah or two and
an Emperor-but nothing like Cover
nor. - She beamed from pure youthful
Joy at her chaperon, who smiled back at
her with wistful envy for her enthusiasm.
''He was only elected to be Lieuten :
ant Governor, and did not expect the
higher position. He is very popular
though. y
Frances nodded brightly. 1t was the
dear home institutions he represented, not
the man himself, that interested her. She
looked out upon the gayly appareled dane
ers, and warm wave of beauty, perfume
and melody swept over her sense, with in
| toxication in it.
'sOh, but ones own native State y she
cried rapturously. Cones own country
l would rather see my own Governor, after
all these years, than the greatest potentate
of them all =
"Good child p said her chaperon, Civ
ing her an approving pat. "No lords r
"Lords, no p rejoined the girl with a
wicked infection, which brought Mrs.
loves eyes doubtfully to her demure face.
ssNot," she continued soberly after a
pause. "that few of them are not attrac-
tive enough. Some of the Englishmen
are quite passable; but American men fol
me, e-v-e-r-y time,' with emphasis.
Mrs. Lowe looked at her seriously.
"And, Frances, the best of them all live
in this very State of ours. hope you
will like some of our men, dear. The
look this lonely woman gave the mother
less girl was full of unsupported pathos
sI would be so glad to have you here. y
Frances, not observing the look, arranged
deliberately shoulder knot and made nc
reply In her silence there was no con
sent. and her face lost its color.
Mrs. Lowe surveyed her young relative
with pride. "That is perfect gown yor
are wearing she remarked pleasantly, as
the girl failed to respond.
Frances looked up with pleased smile
She could not remember when she hat
been approved in that sweet, familiar fash
ion. "'Do you think SO? It is Vienn'
gown. like them best of all. Thi
one, now, is so elaborately simple
Mrs. Lowe examined it discriminating
| ly. sIs that what it is p she said will
ludicrous solemnity. ''Those knots o
crue, now, against the light and darl
green, have little air quite their own.
The girl laughed; Mrs. loves manne
was very droIl. She began to anticipate
a charming visit with this almost forgotten
cousin. Out on the floor small collision
occurred that threatened serious consequen
ces. Frances, with interest, saw 1t skill
fully averted. Then she gave her cousin
a tentative and wistful glance.
"Tye been so homesick, Cousin Mil
dred -
uHomesick p incredulously. "Witf
all those wonderful people you know 7
Frances shrugged one shoulder delicate
lv ssThere was no real excuse for leav
ing the BOYS or l would have been bacl
long ago.
oHomesick p Mrs. Lowe reiterated
and fell into silence.
"My partner appears to be taking hi
time coming for me, Frances said smll
ingly. ssThis must be he, this red indl
vidual," as man in uniform pushed
through the crowd and apologized, breath
less, for his delay.
Mrs. Lowe watched her charge mo
ment, and then joined Mrs. Boniface, wh'
was looking somewhat bored in default o
the Governor. She welcomed Mrs. Lowe
cordially, and waited only to see her seatet
before inquiring eagerly, "Who is tn
lovely girl you brought with you p
''My cousin, Frances Van Dyck, who
came to visit me today. She has just re
turned from long cruise in her brother
yacht. They have been gone several years
I have scarcely seen her yet, but she men
! toned Australia and South America, ant
1 know they spent some time in Europe
for one of the boys studied in Berlin
They have had honors in high places
, She saws she was homesick.
The two looked at each other impres
7 sively and then simultaneously smiled.
"Homesick p Mrs. Boniface LITE
her lorgnette to gaze at her remarkaoi
guest. who Aoated by with the unlforme
officer.
$ sSome girls don't pay to dress, sh
e remarked with apparent irrelevance.
The truth of this remark being too OF
vious to need reply, it was met wit
smiling silence.
ssShe has such spirits, observed Mrs
q Boniface. ''Not so young, either.
"No," imperturbably. "Quite CON
. panionable in fact.
i. "What do you suppose keeps the Gov
a ernor."
,. Frances danced with gladness and II
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