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

she mad played 10 him in the freight
II was burned i@.o his memory in
cfaceably. He saw again her tall
slight figure in its clingng. white drap-
cries. her charming face bent softly
above her violin as she played "Du
Bist VIE Fine Blume." and sang the
words almost whisY .iagly II was a
moment ne would never forget, because
Il was the moment before he had lost
her forever and men remember such
things.
How dear and familiar ii all vas. II
would be SO easy. so very easy. TO turn
back time for a little month To that
moment when he had stood there in
that same place eager. happy. uncon-
scious. waiting for the sight of her. for
the wonderful sound of her voice. Thu
warmth. the fragrance, the delightful.
artistic comfort OF the room made q
harmonious prelude to the bliss of her
arrival. When she entered it was like
fash of lovely sunlight after dark
ness.
He heard her light footsteps coming
tripping by down the oak staircase.
In a moment he would see her again.
charming. RANT face. SO dear. 50 dit
ferent from all other face. the enc face
of his dreams. Of his prayers.
He took step toward tbs door and
then his eyes fell upon copy OF tha
Daily Argus lying on a table before
li 10 MI
walked quickly 10 the window. whero
tho snow was falling steadily beyond
the Venetian curtains. But of tho
weather he was quite unconscious. He
saw suddenly the busy. mask-like face
of the city editor the hard. white glare
OF the green-shaded electric lamp cir
cling down upon his bent head and be-
meath the pulsing thunder OF his brain
he heard the city editors voice sa"inS:
You know, Mr.. Sheridan. we news
reporters are obliged 10 belong to
the ncuter gender"
He must never forget those words
again.
"Oh. Tom. dearest" SAID the ycice
which was so wonderful and so differ
CIT from all other voices in the world.
Il really began 10 think you never
were coming 10 see me again.
There was a curious mixture of JOY
and pain and bubbling. irrepressibis
laughter in her tone. Sheridan turned
away from the dreary reality of brown
stone houses frowning grimly in tho
falling snow. back to the enchanting
but forbidden delight OF the room so
summer-soft and soothing. He dared
not lift his eyes to hers. but he said
quite firmly in view of the mad beat.
ing OF his heart:
Il have been sent up by the Daily
Argus to interview you about your en-
gagement. Miss Winterton.
'Ch. indeed" said the girl. smiling
happily. you may tell them it's quito
true"
"Oh. Marion." burst forth poor
Sheridan. helplessly in spite Of his
fixed determination to merge his iden.
tity in that of his paper. 1T isn't,
il can't be true?"
Yes. it is, dearest" she said. going
straight up to him and putting her
hands on his broad shoulders. You
ought to know it's been true for nearly
three months. Tom"
But / gave you back your freedom.
you know" gasped the young man in
bewilderment
Il know you tried to- she whisper
ed to his coat: but. you foolish Tom.
didn't you notice that didn't take it,"
The editorial rooms of the Daily Ar
gus were unenriched by the presence OF
young Sheridan on the day Of his un.
successful attempt to merge his identi.
ty in that of the paper. The city edi-
tor was in very bad humor on &C roun!
of this extraordinary fact. as all the Of
flee boys could bear testimony An en-.
tire column had been reserved conf
IDENTIFY for Sheridans story. and as a
result of his default a column of ei.
derby tid-bits had disgraced the even
ing edition.
The temperature was far below zero
on the following morning when tho
young reporter came in.
sheridan" began the city editor.
sternly. where is your story"
We'll" confessed the young man.
flushing with the consciousness OF
guilt. she admitted she's engaged. bu,
it's not to he announced yet And ii i
not the English duke. after all
Who is it, hen? Did You get his
name?" asked the editor. professionally
on the alert.
Il got his name and address," said
Sheridan. still smiling guilty. but
she asked me. as 4 special favor. not to
give it 10 the press just yet However,
she promises the Argus exclusive news
later"
"Umph." growlsd the city editor.