Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-08-07
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAND FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 7, 1903
COMRADES |
By.
MARTHA M'CULLOCH-WILLIAMS
Copy right, l002, by I. G. Mcclure
Copy right, l002, by 7. @. Mcclure

ooOOOooooooooooooOoooooooo
Anice made face at her image In
the glass, saying as she shook dainty
fist at 1t: you IDIOT Why don't you
make yourself look as ugly as you
feel3"
81 think, my dear" Aunt Margaret
said, sticking her head through the
open door behind, at In because vanity
is trifie stronger with you than APP
prehension. You think you don't want
to marry Charley Cllffe. know you
don't want him to find you fright"
Isn't II horrible, being SO vain, with
ones whole future in the balance2"
Anice said, trying hard to be fearful.
Aunt Margaret only laughed. After a
little she said with twinkling eyes: 81
have always thought vanity was among
the heaven implanted instincts which
help to save women from themselves.
Now am sure of It,"
What do you meanr Anice cried.
Surely you don't you can't, think I'm
shammlngT Again Miss Gordon
laughed and said: mot consciously,
my dear. The truth Is | think you re-
sent the fact that you have no choice
In this made to order match"
"Well, wouldn't that gall any girl
with the spirit OF a mouser Anice de
manded. Miss Gordon looked thought
full. ut is unfortunate, AZ l see IT,"
she said. That, however, does not
alter facts. Instead Of cultivating
hostile mind you had much better be
fair. Remember, Il Is not the young
mans fault The blame II blame
there ia, lies wholly with old Nine.
Boynton. She wanted her fortune to
go to you two, her step-grandchlldren,
the sole descendants OF her two hus-
bands Besides, think she reasoned
that as Charley, whom she petted,
would certainly marry somebody, It
was just an well to put him in the way
Of marrying you"
80 II ! say No he gets the whole
fortune, whereas he may 'reiinquish
me and keep twothlrds OF It," Anice
said "Aunty, have the greatest mind
to stain my face and dye my hair red
and wear grass green gown and a
yellow stock
"a rainbow would become you ever
no much better" some one said, com
ing through the door-some one tall
and slim, with merry eyes and firm,
muscular hands. He went straight up
to Anice and kissed her upon both
checks, saying: STARS and garters!
What beauty you have turned out to
Dol Why didn't come straight TO
see your Nan, dear. I'm In the confes-
stonal. I've gone and courted another
girl without ever giving you a chance
'Oh, how jollyw Anice cried. with
all that nonsense out Of the way | am
awfully glad to see you. | remember
you ms real nice boy ever so many
years back"
81 think you were tartar, and
know you were ugly" Cliffo said. his
eyes twlnkling. That's why l made
up to the other one. What have you
done to yourBelff The girl I left be-
hind me was snllow and scrawny and
green eyed, with no hair to speak Of,
and fingers like talons"-
"And just up from six weeks OF fe-
YER" Anice interrupted, shaking Il mop
OF yellow brown curtis at him. 81 have
spent an hour day ever since forget
ting how | looked Just then. If had
known how faithfully you remember
cd
swell. whatT' Cline asked as she
made n tentative pause.
ooh, nothing" Anice returned. II al.
most snid | would have made myself
live up to your recollections."
Cliffo laughed then ran on: Nov
that under our granddam's nightmare
Of n Will we have duly arrived at years
Of indiscretion let's settle money mat
tors out Of hand. I'm going TO relin-
quish you In the presence Of witnesses.
You may marry whom you please for
all Of mo | shall also give you hnlf
the money
"Oh, I think you are dearW Anlce
Interrupted, dlmpllng all over her rosy
face. And you'll stay here a month,
and well be the best comrades going.
You'll tell me all about your sweet
heart
"On one condition." Clife broke In.
"That you get engaged to somebody
before ! go away"
you are trlhe unreasonable"
Anice said with u softly brilliant smile.
II want to be free free AZ air for SIX
whole months before I even think Of
bondage"
Comrades the two became. comrades
80 close and congenial Miss Gordon
looked after them sometimes with eyes
that were not quite clear. "They were
made for each other and will find II
out too late" she said In her heart
Outwardly she kept silence. Fate had
taken up the cards. and she had no
mind to try crossing the deal.
Cllffe spoke often OF his betrOthed,
but always vaguely-she was M high
as his heart, her eyes the color he
loved best In all the world. When the
wedding day was set Anice and Aunt
Margaret should know. He bnd no
sort OF doubt they would come 10 love
his sweetheart as she no well deserved.
ANOW hub hEhll NV HhFN Ah'hf hs'"'Nb'"
out OF her letters. Anice was insanely
curious 10 read one Of the letters
through, but Cllfe would never agree
TO II.
The month was almost ended. Next
10 the last day Of II CINE rode with
Anice up Round Top TO watch the sun
go down. II was Indian summer
weather, with all the air full Of warm
haze and dead ripe autumn scents.
They went slowly, he leaning toward
the girl all up the long slope. At the
top he dismOunted and held out his
arms to her, snylDg little husklly:
"COmel will carry you 10 the very
tip Of the rocks"
Anice felt him tremble hs she slipped
into his arms, Her own heart beat
furiously-she was beginning 10 find
ont what his presence or his absence
would mean In her life. But she
smiled back at him brnyely when at
last they stood hand In hand upon the
craQUv uinnarIa Tho ann aauk "a