The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-12-27
There was no reply.

w ny 0io JOu ~ w SoOh oAN
landish countries, without-with those
boys, anyway, and stay all these years.
"They could not leave me here alone. "
Into the glaring light she turned her
face, and met unhinchingly his gaze.
'tYou knew I loved you.
'Did you?' Her manner was distinctly
contemptuous.
"Francesl' He came step nearer
and brought his eyes to the level Of hers.
s1 could not ask girl to marry me when
l had nothing
She was silent.
In those years of waiting she might
see somebody she loved better. He did
not speak with conviction.
Like steel, her eyes met his, as she re-
joined smoothly. s'And he might see
somebody he loved better.
With passionate exclamation he caught
her hand and drew her toward him, sur
rounded her with his other arm
"You don t mean that, Frances !
She held him back with determined
hand "Then you love me so much that
you wished to give the other possible lover
every chance p she inquired with faint,
disdainful laugh.
''Listen. I will not let you go. Do
you believe that man might in all honor
love girl and still be unwilling to pledge
her to him p
''I maintain that she has right to say
whether she shall be pledged or not, and
that he has no right to leave her in doubt
as to whether he loves her. What right
has he to decide her destiny for her? There
are too many that go as far as you did who
mean nothing at all. .
ssAnd-'
ssWhat else could 1 think, when you
allowed me to go on that perlious tour
without word p
He looked at her, as her voice futtered
out, and made no answer. He watched,
fascinated, husk creep over her face, and
saw her eyelids flicker and fall. Then,
with little cry, broken BY the pain and
love of those denied years, she yielded to
his compelling arms.
ssKiss me-" he commanded.
Up in the velvet sky the stars glittered
frostily. The purplish arc light stared un-
blinking at the two dark figures on the
tiny balcony, perched high over the snowy
street. Only the crisp brush of the bare
branches of the trees against the building
and the racous hum nof the electricity
broke the stiffness.
He found her warm hand and held it
softly against his cheek, saying, with pen
sive humor: eff the Lord will forgive
me this time for that honor business,
Frances, I'll never be guilty of it again
The penance He has put me through, to
teach me my imbecility What these
years have been
"What they have been!' she echoed
fervently.
The sonorous peal of church bell mark
ed the half hour.
''There is no reason why it should not
be soon, is there p
She pressed her head against his
shoulder.
'sThen it will be very soon, he said
shortly. "When a man stands what
have, trousseaux don't count. ~
''Bnly I would have married you
with one dress. How could you give US
such pain for the sake of little money?
"True, true,' he unused. "The OLD
conflict between capital and labor. .
She laughed, then sighed. "We must
90 in. You'll have a wretched cold. >
"How about those slippersg he ad-
monished.
She looked at the culprits in surprise.
"Odd, but 1 had not thought of them. "
He opened the window and they went
in. Deity he removed her wraps and,
after reconnoitering, disposed of them.
"Billy,' she said emphatically. as he
returned, "what will Mrs. Lowe sayf
els she your cousin and you never lei
me know? Please, Frances, let me be
inconsistent to night. I'll try to pacify
the lady.
"Oh-and the Governor! Billy, what
if [ have missed the Governor?
"The Governor he inquired, puzzled.
ooh. YES, he was to be here. Now,
Frances, you are not to make dead sci
at the Governor. He shook threatnins
forefnger.
sIsn't he married. she queried, ii
surprise.
tsNot the last time | saw him.
Eminently satisfied with the answer she
gave him, he offered his arm, and the.
ascended the stairs guilty and blissful a
heart, but dignifed ofporte. The air the
band was playing made them stop to looi
joyfully into each others eyes.
"It's the dear old ballet music iron
Faust Do hurry.
With blood leaping in their veins they
entered the ball room and fell Immediately
into step.
sI am rusty, Frances. " he apologized
as he trod on her skirt. cor is it tha
YOU have some new quirks? am gettin
too old. Close on thirty seven, do yo
realize that?'
His words came to her clearly, the roor
was very quiet, even the music SCENE
hushed. Frances suddenly felt conspic
uous; everywhere, as they turned, the eye
of the dancers seemed upon them.
sIs ANYTHING wrong with me? sh