Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-10-03
The Story Of a Song,
By Mrs. L. G. Kerns.

Every one WIZ huS" VI WIZ 49,
ment existing between them thought II
an excellent match in every way.
Douglas Raymond and Maud Car
rington had been plighted lovers just
six weeks. Theirs was truly a case Oh
love at first sight, and both were
young, handsome and wealthy.
Coming down to the fashionable wat
ering-place in the height OF the sea-
son, Douglas Raymond met Miss Car
rington at one of the hops given at the
hotel, and fell deeply, earnestly In love
with her the first time he looked IN
to her dark, lovely eyes.
She was the first woman he had ever
seen who had touched his heart, and
he lost no time in telling her OF his
love.
Miss Darlington gave him the an
swer he longed for. To her he was the
embodiment of all that was grand,
noble, manly.
But the faces of these two lovers be-
tolsened other feelings than those OF
love, as they strolled on the beach in
the mellow light of an August sunset.
Maud" said Douglas Raymond, Il
asked you to walk with me here to
was about to say, ask favor OF you
but will not put it so, for 1t is my
right You are my promised wife, and
as such, it is as much my right to
shield your name as il it were my own
you bore. I asked you once before to
discountenance the attentions of Col
onel Darlingford, and l am sorry to
say you seem to have forgotten all
about it. Now, say, you must let him
distinctly know that you do not desire
his acquaintance"
Maud Carrington's dark eyes flashed
IS she raised them to her lovers face,
and a crimson tide surged all over her
fair face to the very roots OF her lovely
golden hair.
Must, Mr.. Raymond" said Miss
Darlington; you surely forget to
whom you are speaking!"
mo, do not, Maud" he replied; 81
am speaking to one whom love bet
ter than my life, and whom hope so
soon to call my wife, and whose honor
and name are dearer than my own.
The man who has been so persistent in
his attentions to you for the past few
days is libertine and roue, not
worthy the acquaintance of any lady. l
do not believe that Mrs. Dalton, his
sister, is any better; but You must
be the judge in regard to your lady ac-
quaintances; the man I know to be a
scoundrel. They are both professional
fortune hunters, and your wealth is
well worth getting possession Of"
Enough" flashed Maud, her eyes
fairly blazing with anger; "Mr. Ray
mond doubtless judges others by him
self. My fortune was probably the in
ducement to you to gain me for your
wife; l am glad you allowed me to
realize it before 4. was too late. AS for
Colonel Darlingford, will continue to
receive his attentions as long as he
sees fit to honor me with them; and his
sister, Mrs. Dalton, my friend, as you
know, by speaking of her as you have,
you have insulted me. The fact of my
being your promised wife gives you no
to think it does, the sooner we sever
the relations existing between us the
better; for, Heaven forbid, that
should ever be the wife OF any man
who dare dictate to me before he has
a legal right to do so! Here is your
ring, Mr.. Raymond; oblige me by talk
ing it"-drawing from her finger as she
spoke superb diamond.
Douglas Raymond's face as he lis
tened to Maud's words had been a
study. First anger. then pity, sorrow,
and last, love, unutterable love, shone
in his large, dark eyes, and lighted up
every lineament of his noble handsome
face. AS she ceased speaking, he took
one step toward her but she motiole1
him back with naughty gesture.
Maud. Maud, my darling" lie cried.
you surely do not mean what you say.
I did not mean. to be harsh with you.
Tell me, darling, you do not intend to
break my heart by driving me from
YOU"
81 do mean that our engagement is
at an end" she emphatically replied.
Until you can unsay what you have
SAID to me, never speak to me again;
here is your ring, and now go!"
Douglas Raymond took the ring,
looked in her face for one moment,
with all his heart in his eyes, then
turning. walked rapidly away.
MaId watched him out OF sight, then
slowly went back to the hotel and up
to her room. He would come back to
the hotel and up to her room. He would
come back to her, she felt sure he
would. So after making an exquisite
toilet, which set off to advantage her
brilliant blonde beauty, she descended
to the ballroom.
Colonel Darlingford met her at the
foot of the stairs and escorted her to a
seat with his usual gallantry.
All the evening Maud's eyes kept
, wandering to the door, as if expecting
some one, but she looked in vain.
The next morning her uncle's greet
ing was:
Where did Raymond go, and when
will he be back?"
Maud turned deathly pale, and chung
to the table for support; recovering
herself, she said, very quietly:
81 did not know he had gone away,
uncle"
'The deuce you did not? Well, he
left, bag and baggage, on the uptra1n
last night and-Why what doac th;c