Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-09-26

to him. Cut then, women hearts c"e
very flexible things. In Last, wC.len
themselves are. CT course. they don't
feel things like men do. Those who
write SO giibly about broken hearts
don't understand the sex. He did. OF
course, women may feel touch of dis
appointed pride when their lover dis.
cards them; but pain, oh, it's impossi.
BILE, ridiculous!
That was the cynical way in which
Frank Vaughan's reasoning worked.
Not another thought of Edith. He had
got out OF very difficult and delicate
affair somewhat easily. SO far, Sc
good. No one was aware that there
had been anything between them. Sc
much the better. Edith was not the
one to proclaim ir-tiirtation-from
the housetops. And now? We'll, now
for Mary, of course.
Things seemed to go very smoothly
with Mary. Frank found her even
more susceptible than he had imagined.
All, not much difficulty here. How
pleased she was with his attentions:
How she fingered over the pleasant
artful phrases he whispered to her day
by day. How impressionable she was!
She would be ripe for proposal in nc
time.
went by she noted the effect this man
was producing in his cousin. It love
was not already full grown in Mary.
it was in embryo. What should she
dc? Edith tclIly related all that had
passed betw zen herself and Frank, and
detailed that final, cruel conversation
word for word and Mary listened with
pity. She put her arms around Edith's
neck and kissed her in gratitude and
sympathy.
Two days afterw:rd she and Frank
were alone in the grounds. Seated in
almost the same spot as Edith and he
had stood in when his chill words hao
frozen Ler he:rt, Frank took G1ary's
hand in his, and, bending over her,
told her of his love, and asked her to-
become his wife. He was surprised
startled at her answer.
"Love!" she exclaimed, viii light
laugh. What is love? nonsensical
caprice, born today-dcad tomorrow"
But not such love as mine, Mary"
said he. do you not love me?"
Love you! Well. perhaps 1 did
once, but-well, one can't live On sen,
timent. you know. Besides, you know
Frank, yOu-yOu are only Eciet!ess
lawyer, penniles.;, and in debt, while
am an hei.ess, and society expects
great things from me-"
Surely, he had a recollection of some
such words as these! Where had he
heard them? Where? Great heavens!
These were the very word; he had Ut
tered to Edith.
But, Mary" he continued. "say that
you love me. Say that you will be my
wife. Once married to you, my dar-
ling, my life shall be"
Married." she exclaimed. ooh,
Frank, you must see how absurd t4le
thought of marriage between us is
Now do look at things sensibly, and
please, oh, please. dent let us have any
fuss. Of course you will always have
a friend in me. l shall always be glad
to advise"
But the summing up and verdict OF
this stern little judge was too nucl, for
Frank Vaughan. He was beside him
self, almost.
A week later Edith Malvern overlook
Frank in the grounds. He seemed
moody and morose, and turned away
his head as she approached. But
Edith approached and laid her hanI
upon his arm. He turned severe
frown upon her.
Mr.. Vaughan" she said "I-I would
like to speak to you. Can you give me
a moment?"
No"
But, do you not remember, you
cnce said that You would always be
pleased toto advise me? See, l have
had letter from some lawyer in Mon
tana. and it appears l am not without
friends. My uncle, whom have never
seen since was child, has recently
died in Lewistown, and Ii an mis-
heiress, and"
"Eh, what's that?" He turned
Sharply enough now.
ut appears he has LETT me fortune
OF 100000, and want you to advise
me what To &c"
ITO do? Why, Edith. my darling
my advice is to get married at once"
and he smiled such unutterable things
aad he'd out his arms to take her to
his breast. But she avoided him.
''Ch," said she. Il am glad to hear
you say so. Your advice is so near my
own idea. Frank"
OF course. pet, You knew was onl>
in fun then l said those cruel things,
didn't you? Yes, dearie, you must DO
married at once"
"Yes, that is just what George thinks
l promised to be MI -Iarkham's wife
last night. Frank, and he says it would
be better for us to be married at once,
so that he can take me out to Mon
tana"
Want OF a sufficient supply Of aste.
risks and notes of exclamation pre-
vents lis from chronicling Frank
V:ughan's reply.-Eew York Weekly
tie Killed "Thunderbo.t."
r-I,o .aoo,+ 80