Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-03-26
Marna's
Mistake
BY Martha
Nee ulloc q William
Copyright. faas. bu T. c. Mcclure

SO horribly late" a girls voice said as
Trevor went along an overgrown patch
To reach his uncle's house. With the
words came a handful of rose petals.
crumpled damp and deliciously fra
grant IL had rained nj! day. clearing
just before shutdown. The rain had
kept him prisoner nj the Inn. three
miles away. lie had meant to reach
Rriarlaw early in the morning instead
of thus upon the edge of dusk. The
rain had sent the creek all ont of Its
banks. Thus he was coming TO his
journeys end afoot rather than behind
his prancing blacks. The footbridge
was swinging perilously in the rush
ing water. He could not rest until he
had seen his uncle. Something had to
he settled out of something VI
tai 10 his whole future.
He looked about him. The dusking
greenery betrayed no human presence.
but the hooking voice went on: You're
a fine fellow. Upon my word II you
had kept me waiting five minutes Ion
ger should have marched straight
back and said to my pastors and mas
ters. Please. sirs. I'm good now: quite
ready to marry Mr. John Trevor
"Oh. say! Hold on. You-you must
be Miss -Marna-Of whom i've
heard. and I'm John Trevor" that gen
tleman interrupted. his face scarlet.
The shrubbery at the right trembled
violently. then out of Il burst the very
prettiest girl he had ever seen. who
said. her eyes blazing: And you have
come here TO marry me. Well. can
tell you now I had rather die than be
your wife,
Lets shake hands," John said jo-
vially. LIT appears we're In exactly
the same boat. have got TO see my
Uncle John and be off. because the
dearest girl In the world will be
whisked away to Europe. clean out Of
reach. unless I can manage to marry
her all in wink"
"Oh. how jolly" Marina cried. giving
him both her hands. IF you'll only
run away can wait and have a church
wedding. with bridesmaids and flower
girls and everything. II would be hor-
rible to miss them. but there seemed
nothing else to do. so Billy Martin and
have everything all ready. Come.
We won't wait for him any longer.
dare say he is water bound. but he
ought TO have swum the creek. consid-
ering. Don't you think soT'
"undoubtedly. am sure he don't
deserve You. letting such little thing
hinder him." Trevor said. still holding
her hands. You mistook me for him.
so we must look n little bit alike. But
I disown the likeness. You would not
have had TO wait for me. not IL the
stars had fallen
''Ahem. Suppose that other girl heard
you now" Marina said wickedly. her
lids lowered. a naive smile lurking
about her lips. John pressed her hand
and drew il upon his arm. saying only
keep close To me. The path Is narrow.
and I mustn't let you get wet" But
Maria appeared 10 feel sufficiently an
swered. She smiled more winsomely
than ever at him and said as they came
out i'm the clear lawn. Cousin John
we are cousins. you know: your uncle
is my stepfather as we'll as guardian
will You do something for my asking
and not misunilersiand:"
Certainly" Trevor said. smiling him
self. Marina was silent for three breaths.
then said hurricdly: Don't say any
thing about anything until morning.
Poor Inna Trnrnr Hnasnsf clnna nt
the best of times. He has been worry
ing all day about your delayed arrival.
and If you let him know the upsetting
Of his most cherished plans he won't
get a wink tonight and will be crosser
than two bears tomorrow
Does he know about Billy Martini
Trevor demanded. Marina looked at
him. amazed.
''Oh. dear. no. she said. IF he had
known. why. shouldn't have been out
there waiting. Papa Trevor has hab-
II Of having his own way
Its family trait" Trevor inter
rupted. stealing an arm about Marina
and kissing her cheek. She brushed
away the carcss as though II were some
slight annoying insect and went on:
He couldn't have known. because. you
see. did not really know myself until
yesterday. after your telcSram came.
Then-well. 1t was any port in A storm
with me. | don't really. truly care
about Billy. hut do love my own way
as well as though my name were Ire
vor'-
Il see. But was Billy Hobson's
choice:" Trevor interrupted wickedly.
Marina frowned at him. saying: THE
idea. Now you are horrid I have
dozen beaux, but il happened Billy
was the only one right on the spot.
And you'll admit there wasn't much
time for planning when Papa Trevor
shouted out to me: Marina, telephone
for the rector and the wedding cake
day after tomorrow. Is there any.
thing else needed? John gets here In
the morning. and you had better 20
to packing your trunks. mean he
shall take you abroad. There you'll
have chance Of getting fairly ac-
Quainted with each other"
"H'mf That waS n cloca call nfd