Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-09-19

feeling far different from aversion. H
might have been upon certain Sun
day when, having mislaid her small
coin, she raised her eyes in f1utter Of
embarrassment only to meet look. $50
admiring that the money was forever
lost to the parish of Plattville.
That night in her own room Miss
Penelope took out her terrible secret
and thought over it tremblingly. She
had seated herself at the window with
her candlestick on the wide sill. Sud-
denly she became aware Of similar
illumination in the adjoining house.
Scarcely knowing what she did, Miss
Pen moved her light along the window
ledge. The movement was Immediate
ly answered. With a heart beating to
suffocation she raised it high above her
head. her cheeks flushing like girls
as she saw the small flame opposite
take the same course.
After that the days to this little colo
NAL dame were something to be got
through as best she could. At night all
the thoughts of her heart were told In
the interchange of signals.
But there came an evening when
Miss Penelope watched through long,
silent hours of agony for the light
which did not appear. A dull red glow
showed through the lowered shade. At
midnight carriage drove up and
stopped at Mr.. Babson's gate. Then
sudden fierce resentment against her
sister filed Miss Pens soul. He was
ill, dying perhaps, and she was barred
out.
It was near dawn when the lamps
dull glow disappeared and the small
point of fame caused by a candle
showed near the window. Miss Pencil
ope fell on her knees, with heavy
breaths tearing her throat, while her
clasped hands were raised in mute
thanksgiving.
In the morning Ellen was full of the
latest neighborhood news while she
waited on the ladies at breakfast.
"Oh, sure twas like to've died, Mr..
began. HE was took bad with pains
in his side about 8 o'clock, and Mrs.
McGrath sent Peter McGill flying for
the doctor. When they got back twas
on the fat Of his back the master was.
Peter says. not knowing man nor mns>
tai, and Mrs. McGrath rubbing him
with her two hands. And when he
come out O that twas only raving
about candle he was and putting it
In the winder until to quiet him.
"Ellen!'
Miss Norriss' voice interrupted her
serving woman in quick alarm. Miss
Penelope had fallen forward in limp
heap with her head on the breakfast
table.
on her bed, while Miss Norriss sat
stiff1y beside her.
II think" Miss Penelope said in a
faint voice. 'that must have loved
him from the very first"
Miss Norriss' thin nose drew down
until the bone showed white through
the skin.
Dear" Penelope stretched out
one slender hand-"if he lives l think
ought to have the rig lt-to take care
of him."
In silence Miss Norriss rose and left
the room.
But Ellen bore note to the house
next door that afternoon. Peter Nc
Gill brought the answer within five
minutes, with huge bunch of roses,
a special pale pink variety of Mr.. Bah
sons own cultiva ton, which he had
named the Colonial Dame.
Mr.. Babson still passes the contribu-
ton box in church, but he now returns
to seat beside lady in silver gray
silk, whose face holds the bloom and
happiness of youth. Miss Norriss sits
very straight at the other side of the
lady in question, her eyes fixed reso-
lutely on the stained glass window, as
If she would propitiate the ghost of the
departed Pettgill.