Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-07-04

gaily. Frightening with It's
gold the grim, time-dark-
encl houses Rut the
cheerful rays did cot pene-
N n certain room on the sec
of a house that looked even
nbre than those adjacent.
lit there was came through
dow as il reluctantly. and
lowed figure bent over Il desk
sed n work.
q could have peeped in At that
I the same hour any day of the
me could have seen the same
IRE ut the same occupation
uring the vacations. when
ssington left work and the
time and sought some
the air was fresher and
had been urged upon him that
lie was famous X. G. lie should
the chambers he had first come
hen n struggling junior. and ind
IRE imposing suite of rooms. Bu;
,ung 10 tie old ones with an affec-
That was more the outcome of lenS
citation than of any actual beauty
convenience they possessed. 70"
Z were shabby and mean. and up
flights of stairs which clients
mbled ut 4 good deal.
If. Bassington had had busy cay.
returning few minutes ago from
courts was anticipating Il haSty
/. and after thar long evenin. &C.
;ed 10 more work.
But somehow he coull net this after
ION easily rivet his attention. rs lon:
bit had given him tie power II do.
the work before him. There stared
NJ him from those dry. rustling
ipers. as if drawn upon them by
visible fingers. girls fair face.
18th gray. laughing eyes. and Il t:n=,e
wild. sweet hair: in a word. Il face
rom the past he had hoped WAS dead
md done with long ago had come to
larnt and disturb the present.
He glanced UP AT the calendar above
rs desk. 1t WAS her birthday. h.
remembered. lie supposed it was thu;
t. his mind to-day. He placed his ner
Gown ard half closed his eyes. Like
dlmly-remembered music. her yo.ca
seemed 10 floa; TO him across the gu..
Of years. Why did the aching
-uemory OF il come back 10 him now:
she had long ago passed ont of his
i.fe. and even though some of the
brightness o: II had stolen away with
ner. she left him his work.
Il have that" he murmrred. half
ssoud: ut must suffice. row and nj
ways" Yet in that moment the wealth
and fame he had won seemed but rs
Dead Sea fruit, turning to ashes III
his mouth.
He thought of certain thousands that
lay snusly invested. or what use
were they 10 buy back thc past or give
him once more the chance II win the
only woman he had eve: cared o.:
would ever care for:
With n self-indulse2ca that was IN
usual to him lie was still contemplate
Ing this dream-sweet face. with tha
laughing eyes and merry lips. when
there came Il rather imperions knock
ut the front door. and breaking his
reverie he fastened TO answer il.
Standing outside was vision in
white No Pigment o. the brain this.
but 4 vision of flesh and blood-a child.
n little girl with grave. iaquiring glance
and pretty face flushed with excite
ment.
II told You I should come and sge
You. Mr.. BassinSton," she said 10 the
astonislred barrister. and made
nurse bw;ng me this afternoon. | have
sent her back 10 the hotel. and told
her to come back for me in an hours
with you."
She had crossed the threshold. 3nd
following the rewil,!ercd lawyer she
stopped short in the middle OF the
room. and looked III him with can;..d
Iue eyes.
I'm afraid" she said. prorouncinG
her words with delicate precision.
that you are moi very pleased to see
me. Mr.. Bassington. believe" SIZE
added. with dreadful sJ!emnity. ''that
you've forgot all about asking me-
But this terrible Indictment Richard
EassinSton hasteacd 10 deny. lie re-
membered meeting the child week
ago nj friends house where Il juve:-
lie party was in progress. lie did no;
know her name. but he had been at-
tracted b: her quaintness. After the
manner of children she asked him 4
imber OF questions. where he lived.
I'd whether she aight come to see
IN. with grave seriousness that was
atural TO her. end he had replied
j the same strain that upon any after
con lie would be prepared 10 receive
-1er.
Why should yon not think an
pleased III your visit" he asked. n
little awkwar:,iy. lie WAS unused 10
children and nOt 1T case with them.
why go 10 my fwicnIS they 81
lys kiss me- w&s her Indirect an
Syfer.
''0h. see lie replied. with q laugh.
swell. that is IN omission soon RENE
died" and catching the child up In
his strong arms he kissed tn sweet
baby lips. That seemed effcciua.ly 20
{ break the ice between them. anI in 4
few moments the little girl was eX-
planning how she had obtained per-
mission from her aunt: lady careless
of chfi1rau onJ x--isesa hrlinS N,-g..,