Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-19

more of her than ut present.
What do you mean:' he asked,
startled by her carnest1ess.
Il know that creature by sight"
Her voice fell. "They call her Wild
Kate here. That is all l am willing
to tell You about her.
"Ah-h.' uttered Ray, and invoiun-
tarily he sighed, for the young lady's
face had greatly pleased and attracted
HIM.
What was the name by which she
called you:'
Ray Braddon.'
'Then my cars do not deceive me. l
am very glad to see YOU" and she hehl
out her hand. smiling sweetly. Il am
Blanche Gordon
The young man was surprised and
delighted He could scarcely believe
the evidence of his senses. 1t was Il
mission to Blanche Gordon that had
taken him into this unknown country
"a very odd mission. by the way.
A mutual friend-an eccentric old
man--had died only the week before.
leaving ten thousand dollars in avail
able cash to Blanche, and he, Ray, had
undertaken to convey the money to
her and deliver it in person.
This is a surprise" he calculated,
raising her hand to his lips.
Il hope we will be all the better
friends for the circumstances under
which our meeting took place."
'It will not be my fault if VIC are
not" he said. warmly. adding, after
n slight pause, 81 suppose you re-
ceived my letter announcing Mr..
Graham's death and the bequest he
had made in your favor:'
ooh, yes. Ten thousand dollars was
the amount. l believer"
Yes. l have the money, and shall
be happy to resign it to YOU at the ear
Hest practicable moment"
She turned away her face-perhaps
to conceal the strange glitter that came
into her velveiy eyes.
| You don't mean TO tell INC that YOU
have the whole amount with you?"
she asked. very low.
1T seems large sum TO car
ry about"
TRUE. But took care that no one
should learn the fact save the cashier
of the bank who paid me the money.
J. had written to you beforehand to
announce my intention. and. as you
will remember. cautioned you to say
nothing about it,
Yes"
'It was Mr.. Graham's dying request
that l should bring YOU the money"
You are very good to undertake
such responsibility for Il stranger"
she murmured, her lips strangely
white.
I'm glad 1 did undertake it,"
The glance that accompanied these
words was expressive enough to re-
call the crimson to Blanche Gordon's
lively cheeks.
Il can see the hand of Providence in
all this" she faltered.
so can l." Ray responded, driven
beside himself by her beauty and Will
ming ways. "Mr. Graham was my
friend as well as yours. and know he
cherished an ardent hope that we
might be mutually attracted when we
made each others acquaintance, and
Providence seems to be furthering his
wishes"
at was foolish speech, and
Blanche's cheeks flushed redder than
ever at all it implied.
"Come," she said, rather nervously.
'why are we lingering here? You are
to take me home, you know
Certainly"
"My home is poor and forlorn." she
said, with smile that seemed con-
strained. "But shall soon change it
for a better one. now that my ship
has come in
Ray made no reply. Just at that in
slant he caught a glimpse Of stylish
looking young lady in the green habit
hating at bend in the road and look
ing back at them very earnestly.
There was something in her behavior
that struck the young man as being
very peculiar.
Blanche had not seen her, however.
and as the Overhanging shrubbery
shut her from view almost immediate
ly. he did not speak Of her.
The way seemed lonelier and wilder
as they proceeded. After the lapse of
about fifteen minutes they emerged
from thin grove of naples and came
suddenly upon cornfield of about two
acres in extent, in the middle of which
stood two-story, implanted house,
whose broken windows, dismantled
shutters and ruinous chimneys pre-
scented anything but an inviting as
pect.
''Yonder is my home" said Blanche.
"a God-forsaken place, isn't it?'
Ray was too polite to utter his real
sentiments, so he answered:
''It has not the appearance of being
Inhabited at ALL"
ooh, the best rooms are in the rear
of the house, and we occupy those"
10 be sure, it did strike him as SIN
.:ular that Blanche should remain in
so secluded spot; but Mr.. Graham
had told him nothing about her, save
only that she was poor and an orphan;
so he speedily dismissed the perplex-
ing subject with the mental decision
that necessity, and not choice, COM
PEELED her to abide here.
AS he led the horse up to the house
along very narrow path through the
corn, he could not help remarking the
deathlike stiffness that reigned every
where.