The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-04-10

when heard the music. I didn't
dream of meeting YOU"


II haven't attended the college
parties for year or two," Miss
Densmore replied, "and it's quite by
chance that I'm here tonight. Mann
ma and l drove out with cousin of
mine from Buffaland who is engaged
to Mr.. Wolfe, an old Illica friend"
Wolfe! That was the name of Miss
Densmore's visitor the last night at
the Mertons'. 1t was burned deeply
into Rossiter's memory. But how
strangely mistaken he had been! An
Intoxicating elation seized him, and
then the music ceased! He glanced
eagerly at Miss Densmore's card.
which she was nervously lingering,
and noted that all save one of the
remaining dances were taken. She
caught his look, and there was some
thing assuring in her smile.
May 1 have that?" he said, point
ing to the unengaged dance.
"Yes," she replied softly, still
smiling, and then an exuberant
senior rushed up and bore her away.
Rossiter's eyes followed her with a
CLEAN of rapture. For brief space
lights, music, whirling figures were
as naught to him. He saw only the
delicate contour of her face; heard
only the low cadence of her voice.
With violent effort he shook off
this waking spell and turned towards
Mrs. Densmore, but someone had en-
gagged her in conversation and he was
free. He slipped into a vacant win
dow-seat and watched for Miss Dens-
more's temperance. Presently she
fioated by (or so it seemed to him),
and after that only for an occasional
instant did he lose sight of her.
So pleasurable was his occupation
that he was not inclined to rail at
time as a laggard. Could he not pos
sess his soul in patience for few
moments when so short period be-
fore he had thought to wait at the
gate of the court of love, poor,
starving mendicant, for a lifetime?
Doubt never assailed his heart; what
he should say never entered his mind.
He did not try to reason out this or
that, to analyze his joy. He felt
wonderful thrill go through him, and
realized that at last he had risen to
a complete mastery of himself. Love,
working through one of the sweetest
of womanl<ind, had wrought the
miracle.
The music was silent when Miss
Densmore placed her hand upon Ros-
siter's arm, but there were several
couples promenading, with whom
they fell into line. AS they passed
an open window gentle breeze
touched their faces and lifted ever
so lightly the lace about Miss Dens-
more's throat. She glanced out in
to the night, and Rossiter's gaze fol-
lowed hers.
"How like the evening of the hop
dance!" she exclaimed, ,-"the moon
light and the whispering of the
leaves! Do you remember?"
"Remember!" echoed Rossiter: Gin
deed 1 do. There are some seats up
on the campus" he continued; shall
we not go out for a little as we did
then?"
"Yes, if you wish it," she said.
In an ash cluster, few yards
across the sward and directly oppo-
site the gymnasium, they discovered
an unoccupied bench reaching from
tree to tree.
Rossiter did not hesitate, did not
now hang back, did not trife with
his fate. He had done with indecis-
ion forever.
81 wonder if you ever dreamed" he
began, as they seated themselves,
that your cousin once interrupted me
when I was on the point of telling
you the story of my life-and some
thing else?"
Miss Densmore did not reply.
Il would like to tell you the story
now," continued Rossiter-"that is,
II l may, and then"
"But suppose 1 know" interrupted
Miss Densmore, "since you have as
sured me you were not masquerading
when l met you? Suppose 1 have
guessed it?"
With her fine sensitiveness, she
thought to save him from what might
be humiliating confession. He was
not, however, in mood to spare him
self.
Not at ALL" he cried. "Why, was
an outcast, common vagabond!"
"Never quite that!" she remon-
strated. But whatever you were.
you are your better self again. You
have conquered"
Conquered" he repeated fervent-
ly; "yes, thanks to you, my love, to
you! Can you," he went on, his voice
growing husky with emotion, will
you help me to be the conqueror
still?"
81 WILL" abe answered simply, and
there was an infinite trust and ten
derness in her tone.
Their hands met and their lips.
Within the music burst into jubilant
air; above, there was a rythmical
rustic among the leaves as the breeze
swept them aside and let the moon
light crown the final scene in Ros-
Biter's regeneration.
THE ENID