Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-11-26

his fortune had been swept way In
the late panic and Offering To release
her from the engagement.
He waited in suspense for her reply.
which came promptly. She coldly and
should be broken. owing To change OF
circumstances
Wounded through and through. he
went abroad. aimlcssly wandering from
one place Ia another. hating all women
| for what one had wrought.
He was wondering now as he walk
ed along the dusty highway what had
become of her. Had she landed an
other millionaire: What useless.
helpless wife she would make for Il
poor man. Then he thought of the
struggling. sordid existence of this
schoolma'am. In his minds eye he
pictured her-lank. gawky and specta-
cled. beating the flames
Even ut that" he thought "she is
more to be loved than a woman who
feared poverty. Faith, believe I'll
marry the schoolma am and settle
down to country lie If she'll have
me-"
\ turn into a lane brought them
to the little schoolhouse, and Johnny
looked in through the open door.
shes in there" he said.
"All right You nee,in't come. Much
obliged" When he entered the school
room. which was darkened. he dimly
discerned Il form mt Il desk on the plat
form. Her head was resting YEARLY
on the big dictionary.
Il beg your pardon. came to thank
you for saving my property"
He had come nearer now She lifted
her head. and he saw her.
Mabel he gasped
81 didn't know she said coldly,
that it was your property was saw
ing until afterward. but of course it
made no difference
mabel. You. n schoolteacher, here
WHY"
Because" she answered bitterly, "in
that panic in which YOU pretended to
have lost your fortune my father lost
every cent he had"
81 wish you'd tell ma all about it," he
said remorSefully.
There's not much to tell. Just as
father had broken the news of our loss
To me your letter came showed 1t to
him. lie said II was not true. so
thought it Il ruse-that you had heard
OF our revcrses and did not want to
wed pauper."
He groaned and attempted to speak.
but she hastily continued:
Father went west e look after some
claim he thought he had out there, and
l came here To teach. That is ALL"
"No: not all. LISTER" he cried. lie
told her of the remarks. his test, his
departure and ignorance of her loss.
Forgive me- Mabel. and take me
back"
No" she said proudly You didn't
believe in my love. You had to put it
to Il paltry test"
He was thinking hard for the right
thing tn say
Then let me WOO you again, not as
the Mabel Wallace l knew In New
York. but as the country schoolteacher
to whom came just now with heart
full of admiration for her kind heart
and stout arm. Mabel. look up! You've
been crying"
NO. 1t was the smoke from the
fire. she said conf lsedly; land my
hands-sce,'
She held out for his inspection two
Redeemed palms.
He seized them and pressed them to
his lips and then-well. then. Johnny
came running in.
"Oh, g'wan." he said to Thornton.
You know'd her all the time and pre-
tended you jest CUES sed at her havin'
red hair AMI specs
Thornton laughed apply as he looked
ut the soft. squirrel colored hair and
the eyeglasses. Wei, l meant differ
ent red and specs. but do know her"
.'He you her beau?"
"Yes. am her beau, and you'll have
n new teacher. Here. take this for tell
ing me of the fire" And he gave the
delighted boy silver dollar.
On the threshold Johnny paused
Say. teacher. | cum to tell you thar
want no one to Inn at the white