The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-06-20

II AAis
wonder how long time it takes
healthy young person ike myself to grow
completely hardened and incapable of men
tai pain
made this observation 10 myself one
April day year and half after the Buer
wood party, As | sit on the porch of the
old church near Beck's junction. The
fairness Of the day, added to desire to
escape my aunt's society, have tempted
ne as far as this; and gazing about the
familiar landscape, wonder anew when
there will be vulnerable places in my armOr
for Ms Rowena Morrison To prick.
Since the day on which she learned that
all was over between my guardian and
myself life has been well-nigh intolerable,
for although Colonel Ferroll has contrived
admirably to make my five thousand yield
decent income-at least enough to board
aud clothe NE. and she cannot in the eyes
Of the world turn me out, yet am made
daily and hourly to feel how | have low
cred myself in her estimation; how cruelty
| have treated nv best friend how Ill de-
serving | am Of the friendship of any hon
est hearted person; and | have resolved
ou MY next birthday to break away from
this life Of mental, spiritual, all but physi-
cal bondage Candidly speaking, can
not say that |. ike the heroines ! read Of,
have suffered bodily. for if slim a. ever, it
! lhe same round, healihful slimness, and
INV cheeks are sun Drowned aud firm
eyes and lips show, Is they say, good
condition Yet God alone knows the
sad heart | carry in that healthy young
body of mine! All well Time is 4 good
/ freud. think | If 80 far it played me
/ false, stiIl it is bearing me along, What
an eternity it seems since Dick and | part
ed. since | felt how dead my love lay at
INV feet since he married the little girl
/ from Denyer-my one command TO him
being that he should never speak of eur
rash and brief love making; since Colonel
Ferroll paid that last perfunctory visit to
The Oaks in his capacity Of guardian a
year ago, begging Of me so oourteously to
/ command his services should | need
! them in the future; since But why
20 on?
/ Brierwood, whose chimueys | can see
/ family in the distance, blue smoke curling
theretrom. is opened today in part, for on
/ the four o clock express Its master returns
/ for a fortnight, previous-so he has, IN his
I usual brief, business ike way, written
me-to a tour around the world with a
party of bachelor friends He will stop at
the junction, | reflect, pulling some early
daisies apart: and the whistle Of the train
/ having Souuutu uNe hihuteS "S'r Va"
| fancy him now
Nv reflections end suddenly. A man
/ two. three. after him-i> dashing across
the fields, and, as | start up, he draws
nearer, aud [ see Peters, the head gard
ener at Colonel Ferroll' place.
1T was for you miss, says Peters,
flushed with excitement and the exercise.
Go on, boys, where you were sent. The
master, misS-you' re to come at once; 1t
was an accident-but the doctors say that
he will live, mebbe, till night y
Tears are raining unchecked down Pc
ters' bronzed and withered cheeks as he
put out his hand.
As walked rapidly, dazed as | am, by
Peters side, | learn that they have taken
him into the little railway inn. There,
solemn crowd around see him stretched
on hastily constructed bed, the deathly
pallor on his face, the heavily closed eyes,
the labored breathing, telling their story.
''He asked for you, whispers our old
doctor, Abercrombie, lust as he lost con-
sciousness. 1t will not hurt him to be
reused. Poor fellow
The pause was much more expressive
than words; no earthly effort now could
harm or hel p him!
Strange that, as his eyes open and rest
on mine, only a quiet look Of peace, not
surprise, is in them. | am kneeling beside
him; the others, for some reason, have
moved back from us.
Sylvia" he whispers, 81 have not