The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-10-31
THE STORY OF A SONG.

They were truly handsome cou-
pie, ana adnirdDfy stsitSd-sv-vava
other. Every one who knew of the
engagement existing between them
thought it an excellent match in every
way.
Douglas Raymond and Maud Car
rington had been plighted lovers just
six weeks. Theirs was truly case
of love at first sight, and both were
young, handsome and wealthy.
Coming down to the fashionable
watering-place in the height Of the
season, Douglas Raymond met Miss
Darlington at one of the hops given
at the hotel, and fell deeply, earnest
ly in love with her the first time
he looked into her dark, lovely eyes.
She was the first woman he had
ever seen who had touched his heart,
and he lost no time in telling her of
his love.
Miss Darlington gave him the an
swer he 1onged for. To her he was
the embodiment of all that was grand,
noble, manly.
But the faces of these two lovers
betokened other feelings than those
of love, as they strolled on the beach
in the mellow light of an August sun
set.
MAUD" said Douglas Raymond,
"I asked you to walk with me here
to- was about to say, ask favor
of you-but I will not put it so, for it
is my right. You are my promised
wife, and as such it is as much my
right to shield your name as if it
were my own you bore. l asked you
once before to discontenance the at
tentions of Colonel Darlingford, and
I am sorry to say you seem to have
forgotten all about it. Now, I say,
you must let him distinctly know
that you do not desire his acquain-
tance."
Maud Carrington's dark eyes fash
ed as she raised them to her lovers
face, and crimson tide surge all over
her fair face to the very roots of her
lovely golden hair.
Must, Mr. Raymond o said Misc
Carri-.etor; lyon srrely forget to
whom you are speaking -
"No, I do not, Maud" he replied !;
81 am speaking to one whom I love
better than my life, and whom hope
soon to call my wife, and whose
honor and name are dearer than my
own. The man who has been so per-
sistent in his attentions to you for the
past few days is a libertine and a
rogue, not worthy the acquaintance
of any lady. I do not believe Mrs.
Dalton, his sister, is any better but
you must be the judge in regard to
your lady acquaintance the man 1
know to be scoundrel. They are
both professional fortune hunters, and
your wealth is we'll worth getting
possession Of.
Enough p flashed Maud, her eyes
fairly blazing with anger; "Mr. Ray
mond doubtless judges others by him
self. My fortune was probably the
inducement to you to gain me for
your wife; I am glad you allowed me
to realize it before it was too late.
AS for Colonel Darlingford, will
continue to receive his attentions as
long as he sees fit to honor me
with them and his sister, Mrs. Dal-
ton, my friend, as you know, by
speaking of her as you have, you have
insulted me. The fact of my being
your promised wife gives you no right
to command me; since you seem to
think it does, the sooner we sever the
relations existing between us the bet
ter; for, Heaven forbid, that should
ever be the wife of any man who
dare dictate to me before he has a
legal right to do SO ! Here is your
ring, Mr.. Raymond oblige me by
taking it'-drawing from her finger
as she spoke superb diamond.
Douglas Raymond's face as he lis
tened to Maud's words had been a
study. First anger, then pity, sor-
row, and last, love, unutterable love,
shone in his large, dark eyes, and
lighted up every lineament of his
noble, handsome face. AS she ceased
speaking he took one step toward
her but she motioned him back with
a naughty gesture.
"Maud Maud, my darling p he
cried, "you surely do not mean what
you say 1 did not mean to be harsh
with you. Tell me, darling, you dc
not intend to break my heart by driv-
ing me from you."
"I do mean that our engagement
is at an end," she emphatically re-
piled. "Until you can unsay what
you have said to me, never speak to
me again; here is your ring, and
now 60 !"
Douglas Raymond took the ring,
looked in her face for one moment,
with all his heart in his eyes, then
turning, walked rapidly away.
Maud watched him out of sight,
then slowly went back to the hotel
and up to her room. He would come
back to her, she felt sure he would.
So after making an exquisite toilet
which set off to advantage her bril-
liant blonde beauty, she descended tc
the ballroom.
Colonel Darlingford met her at the
foot of the stairs and escorted her tC
a seat with his usual gallantry.
All the evening Maud's eyes kept
wandering to the door, as if expect
ing some one, but she looked in vain
The next morning her uncle''
greeting was:
"Where did Raymond go, and whei
will he be back 7"
Maud turned deathly pale, anc
clung to the table for support; re