Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1903-06-26

DECLINED WITH
THANKS
BY z. J. BURKE
Copyright, 1903, bp McC7,tre's
Newspaper Syndicate
BY Z. J. BURkE



Saunders" t.r Et.
Some benevolent individual intro
duced them at the Pen and Pencil club.
Saunders afterward spoke of him as
1.-THE hand of fate" But then he was
under the sway of the blind god and
or his eyesight
1t was certainly case of love at FIRST
sight-on the part of Saunders. When
he looked down into the dark eyes
raised SO frankly to his own, he gave
up his heart Internationally. In all
his thirty-fi years nothing had sent
the blood rushing SO riotously through
his veins as the firm, warm clasp of
her hand.
But he was quiet, self controlled
fellow, with composure born of years
OF struggle up the uncertain literary
ladder. So he did not hold the little
hand Second longer than politeness
demanded. There was no trace of ca
gerness In his manner us he sat down
Oh the divan beside her and began to
talk as few men and fewer women had
heard him talk-brilliantly, with fash
es of wit and sarcasm relieving the un-
DERIVING earnestness of thought
Cecil Travers was quite unconscious
OF the metamorphosis she was produc-
Ing. She only thought that this big,
blond man was not nearly as unap-
proachable rs he looked. He was real
ly charming. And, what was the more
remarkable, he did not talk about him
self.
The girl found this an unusual expe
rience. As reader for one Of the maya
zines and writer of short stories, she
had met many men of many minds.
yet" as she said pathetically to her
self, 1.-The minds always seem to turn
inward. How can they write about the
world around them when they are 40
absorbed In self"
Her wonder grew when she discov-
cred that he too, was an author. She
remembered now seeing his name
signed to several clever sketches. lie
had never tried any with the SympO
stun. As he talked the desire to read
some OF his stories became overmas-
tering.
"Why don't you send something to
me at the Symposium she asked at
length frankly.
He flushed up to the roots OF his hair
as he said hesitatingly, II have been
busy about something else, but will
some time"
II was his first trace OF awkward
ness. Cecil could not know that the
something else" was the novel which
was the work OF many months and
which was even then seeking a pub
Usher. Not even to her dared he trust
himself to speak OF this child of his
hopes. If the world gave II a welcome,
ali, them His thoughts were busy
weaving beautiful day dream, and
It's central figure was this dark eyed
girl who was almost a stranger to him.
He awoke to realities with a start.
Miss Travers, puzzled ut his silence,
had risen and was holding out her
hand In goodby.
you will come to see me some time,
will you not, Mr.. SaundersT' she asked
with the frank smile that was her es-
peclal charm. Il nave enjoyed my
talk with you so very much that |
would like TO repeat It. | am always
at home on Tuesdays and Thursdays"
Her tone was 80 cordial that he
blushed and stammered over his
thanks. lie called himself Il fool a
minute afterward when he found him
self standing stupidity staring at the
doorway through which she had dis
appeared. But thRt did not prevent
his going home In a strangely excited
and exhIlarated mood. The glamour OF
his day dream seemed still around
him And she. the lady OF his dream
I've loved her.
He whispered II to himself AZ no
strobe across the park. half fearful
that the Pickering lamps and the sway
Ing branches might guess his secret,
but In the silence Of his room he said
al - In.