The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-03-14

hultcIeu' SiooullS
Sir Charles had left the door ajar and
the pure tones of rich contralto voice
were borne into the ROOM An ardent
lover of music, Harvey listened entraneed;
then, unable to keep away he in his turn
entered the drawing room to find his father
hanging over Miss Grantholm and urging
her to sing again.
= X
Day after day passed and Sir Charles
was constantly at Eva's side, while Har-
vey studiously tried to avoid her company,
but without avail. Her laugh in the gar
den, her voice in the hall, irresistibly drew
him to perside He knew he loved her, that
no other woman could occupy the place she
had taken in his affection, but he feared
his love was hopeless and steeled himself
to regard her as his future stepmother. The
thought made his blood curdle, but word
a smile from her was sufficient To make
hope rise within hnn, and for the time be-
ing he would forget his father more sue
ceSsful wooing. With such word and
smile she greeted him one afternoon when
he found her seated in the garden. She
made room for him by her side, but some
how conversation seemed to fail them.
Il hope you have enjoyed your visit, -
he said lamely, for she was leaving on the
morrow we shall miss you
Il am glad Of that, she answered hes
ita,ingly, FOR your father has asked me
To- She paused abruptly, and a
dainty blush rose to her cheeks but Har-
yey face had suddenly become white and
strained
Has asked you to- he repeated,
his voice trembling. ITO come back
again, she said, with a little nervous
laugh, aud l have promised TO come;
that Is, if you and Mary viii be glad to
have me
Her eye were fastened on the ground,
but she stole hasty glance at him and
saw the misery upon his face.
My father has asked you to return;
does that mean he hesita,ed to ask the
question which was life or death to him
that some one here has gained your loyeg
II was not the question she had expected
him to ask. and her face was almos; As
pale a his as she forced her lips to answer
The wcrd came family, but Harvey heard
It and 1t was .'Yes
tie had been holding his stick across
his beut knee. aud although the strong
wood broke in half his face showed no sign
Of the pain which cut his heart.
1t j. far too cold for sitting out Of
doors sounded Sir Charles voice from
twenty yards away Before Eva could
stop him Harvey had leaped to his feet
and Joined his father.
80 you have gained the prize. he
said hoarsely. Allow me to congratulate
you Beauty and money, youth and love,
a prize worth winning
Sir Charles stared at him with undis-
guised astonishmeut.
What does this pleasantly mean :? he
whispered snerily, hooking to where Eva
sat. Then. placing his arm through Har-
ycy he led him cut Of earshot
You conceal your JOY admirably,
continued Harvey sneeringly.
What joy" asked Sir Charles, fear
ing his sou : reason had been suddenly af-
fected.
you need not conceal it; Miss Grant
holm has just told me that she has ac-
eepted you.
The deuce she has r exclaimed Sir
Charles, blushing under the tan of active
service. An hour ago she told me no.
decidedly
SHE refused YOU : cried Harvey,
hardly believing that he heard Alright,
Yet she Is coming back
Miss Grantholm has the good sense
not to allow my mistimed proposal to stand
between her and your sisters friendship ;
she knows | am a gentleman and will not
presume again.
''But-she said-that you-that some
one here had won her love, stammered
Harvey Are you sure you have not
herr
Sir Charles smiled grimly.
..She made it very clear. Then his
lips relaxed into we'll pleased smile.
''You love her Harvey. Love makes one
cowardly. but were | in your shoes l
should require no incentive to send me to
the woman who has confessed her love for
me.
Without word Harvey left his fathers
side, and ten seconds later he had found
Eva still seated where he had left her.
''NIy father has sent me back to you,
he said gently, and as he spoke he took
her hand in his. She made no effort to
it, and his courage rose.
'.You told me some one had won your
heart, the heart which | would give my
life to win. My fears told me that all
hope of happiness for me was dead, but
now have come back to ask you if you
spoke the truth-to tell you that love
you. Darling, l have loved you from the
| saw you
''Yet you said you would not stoop to
WOO me, that your name should not be
sullied by sharing it with me, she said,