Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-10-03

ccr;h ard sky The grea, ocean lay
calE and unruiIled, receiving placidly
the evening kisses OF the sod of day
The beach, white and glisteling, was
flecked here and there by the suns last
rays. which beanied softly On the bo#-
e., head OF lady standing on the YER
a2da of the great white hotel.
She w2s a very beautiful woman,
some years past her first youth, tall
and beautifully formed, her every mo-
ton grace; magnificent eyes, dark as
midnight, and masses of hair which
the CLINT of the sun turned to FURNISH
ed goid
She leaned listlessly against pillar
her eyes wandering YEARLY over the
scene before her. There were signs
OF sorrow in her face, beautiful though
it was, and in her dark, dreamy eyes
was PARKWAY look, as if ever watch
ing fer some one.
There was sound CT glrlish laugh
ter, the rustic OF a dress, and then a
voice from the window said:
"Oh, Miss Darlington, do, please,
come in and sing for US. I have some
new music I would like you to try fol-
me-do comet"
with pleasure, Ella" said the lady,
smiling, as she turned to so in.
She seated herself at the piano and
sang song after song. Fer voice was
grand one-a deep, rich contralto, just
suited to herself
Several gentlemen, attracted by the
music. sauntercd toward the windows
of the parlor. One. tall. handsome.
dark-faced man, drew near and leaned
near the railing Of the veranda. H.
could not see the singer from where he
stood, but as the rich, full tones rose
and fell on the air, his face became q
study.
Miss Darlington" said a lady who
sat near the fair scngstress, please
sing us your favorite-will you not?
Maud Darlington hesitated for mo-
ment, and then, softly striking a few
chords, she began singing, in q voice
that thrilled win emotion:
Gould We come back to me
Douglas! Douglas!
In The old likeness that l knew,
would be SC faithful, so loving,
Douglas, Douglas, tender and true!
Never a scornful word should pain
you.
I'd smile as sweet as the angels do;
Sweet as your smile shone on me ever,
Douglas, Douglas, tender and true!
ooh. to call back the days that are not!
Mine eyes were blinded, your words
were few.
Do you know the truth up in heaven?
Douglas, Douglas, tender and true!"
AS she finished the verse, Il was net
half worthy OF you. Douglass" she rose
from the piano, stepped through tn
window and hurried to distant part
of the veranda; leaning her head
against one Of the pillars, she sobbed.
'Oh, Douglas, Douglas! where arr
you? Will you never come back to
me? Will this weary waiting never
end?'
A hurried step close to her; she turn.
ed her head and looked up. straight in
to the eyes of gentleman standing
beside her. She turned pale as death.
but before she could speak. he bent
over her, and said, in a voice too low
for other ears:
do you mean it, Maud? l am here
in answer to your song; is it, as hope
an answer to tile prayer my heart
has been repeating to itself all thesa
years? May come back to you? Will
you call Back the days that are not
Tell me, my beautiful darling, may
be in very truth your Douglas, teEdeT
and true?"
AS he spoke, the color came back to
Maud's cheeks and as she raised he1
lovely eyes to his when he ceased.
Douglas Raymond, for it was he, read
through the tears. glistening in them
her answer.
&c. after ten years Of waiting, they
had found each other at last, tender
and true!"-New York Weekly.