Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-10-24

Arrived at ner nome, ELLSWORTH
found himself ushered into long, low
candle-gleaming room, where all sorts
of rare and unique things had got to-
gether for the entertainment and COM
fort of whoever might chance there.
Edythe excused herself temporarily.
presently returning in dinner toilet
of some filmy green material that won
derfully set off the fresh daintiness OF
her face and form. The pink had come
back to her cheek, and but for a sup
pressed CLEAN in the usually soft eyes
nothing remained to indicate the pres
ence of fierce inward struggle.
I'm so sorry" she began, slipping
easily into low chair by the fireplace.
"but have just found note from my
husband saying that he has been order
ed to the South. His business keeps
him from home the greater part of the
time," she explained.
Despite the tremendous lump Of re-
lief that come into his throat, Ellis
worth expressed his sincere regret at
the circumstance, and turned the con-
versation into commonplace channels.
perhaps you would like to look at
some pictures,'' she chatted on care
lessly, stretching her little trap. GLOW
do you like this one?"
He glanced indifferently at the group
of debutantes she held up for his in
spection and delivered some trifing
compliment.
"And this?" she asked, a wretched
little smile struggling for a second to
her lips. She bent forward, holding
her breath in perceptible stress, her
mouth cold, stern-index to an agon-
lied heart.
Ellsworth received the photograph
between fingers ruled into steadiness.
He glanced casually into the handsome
eyes that laughed up at him from the
cardboard.
"A very striking face,' he remarked
carelessly, permitting his gaze to rest
briefly on the clear-cut, familiar feat
ures "Who is it,"
why, that's Jack-my husband-he
is handsome, isn't he?" she broke out
with hysterical little laugh that was
more than a sob.
Ellsworth was silent for a while,
giving her time to get back to herself
again.
But his other name-you haven't
told me that yet" he reminded her af-
/ ter little. Think of it, and I've been
in your house nearly an hour!" He
nj nj
"Of course. How very absurd of me.
Barsdale is his name; John Morton
Barsdale. Isn't it coincidence?"
Ellsworth felt his heart pounding
against his side like a trip-hammer.
but he merely nodded in an off-hand
manner and changed the subject.
An hour and half later, Mrs. Bars
dale pressed tear-drenched, but very
radiant face to an inanimate piece Of
cardboard, murmuring FOOLISH words
of endearment to the face that smiled
away her fears.
You darling" she breathed softly,
''to think that doubted you!"
Ellsworth returned to his hotel in a
fast-gathering darkness, his head bent
a prey to furious and cOnfllctlng emo
tons.
IF there ever was a rascal" he
unused. Poor little Edythe."
He waited day and then wrote and
dispatched the following:
my Dear Mrs. Barsdale-After all,
it will not be necessary for you to
trouble your husband with this affair
of mine, as have succeeded in locat-
ing 3, without any trouble, and prefer
to keep the matter Us private as pos
sible.
please accept my appreciation Of
your interest and hospitality, and be-
lieve me, most sincerely yours,
Thomas T. J. Ellsworth
Nellie Cravely Gilmore, in New Or
leans Times-Democrat.