Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-10-15


such perfect time and tune. Music, in
deed. was in the Gilbert blood. Estelle
danced. If anything better When they
waltZed together other couples stopped
to see. Indeed they kept on and on
and on until they had the whole crowd
staring as alone they whirled and
wheeled over the waXed floor Of tho
hall.
"Stop. Estellew Bronson implored in
loud whisper us the couple whirled
past him. George smiled broadly Es-
telle. dismaycd, put n hand up to her
face AS she took it away two plmples
and half dozen freckles came with It
George saw them and quickly guided
her out of the light.
Go wash your faceI' he commanded
imperatively. "And the next time you
want to go masquerading st me help
you make up. know heaps of better
Disagreement. Besides. grease paint
Is fearfully unreliable when one loves
dancing as we do"
Il forgot ought not to have
danced" Estelle said contritely; then
with swift change of mood, But you
wouldn't have known if had been a
little wiser"
Indeed would. went 500 miles
last summer just to see you," George
half whispered. $50 understood the
minute l looked Mt you tonight. You
wanted to disgust me. to make me
lose wife and fortune. don't
blame you. Women have to fight in
justice with their own weapons. Still
wish you hadn't done 1t. You can
say No to me this minute IL you like
and get back more than all the money
you lose by saying 1t tomorrow
Il see. You want to invest In Dres-
den china" Estelle interrupted auda-
ciously. so of course don't want to
say it-not now. at least"
THAT must be quite as you please"
George said, smiling over her head.
You will have to go straight home"
he added masterfully. Changing low
ers would be nothing beside the scan
dial of changing countenances this way
in the face of everybody"
Il know It," Estelle said sorrowful-
~. Fate is playing me tricks-putting
all the trumps in Adela's hands
'Not quite. You forget shall make
your excuses and take you and Mrs.
Warren home" George said Don't
keep me waiting either. I'm all impa-
thence to see your real self"
Grasshope had no end of sensations
through the next six weeks The first
came when George Gilbert broke the
prearranSed engagement, the next
when 1t was seen that lie was disput-
ing with Reed Bronson for first place
in his cousins regard. and the third
and greatest was to find the strange
Gilbert girl truly IL beauty, with no
end of fine feathers and most en-
chanting way of wearing them. Adela
Evans looked faded and insignificant
beside her. although away from her
she was easily the prettiest girl in
town. But Adela was spiritless these
days. She no longer had hopes Of
catching George. He was eagerly,
desperately. in earnest about Estelle.
although she had given him back. as
in duty bound. rather more than half
the money. Reed Bronson was no less
earnest. SO between them they kept
public interest at fever heat.
Estelle was nobly impartial. At first
she had thought herself really In love
with Bronson. That was what had I'm
PEELED her to the masquerading. But
somehow Georges grave, hurt face
had made her very much ashamed,
although she would have died rath-
er than admit love at first sight. Then
his freeing her and settling down to
court her anew appealed to something
in her of like fiber. Altogether she
was hard put to it to decide.
The strain Of II all bore hardest ON
Bronson. His temper, never sweet.
became abrupt and uncertain. He was
barely civil to other women. George,
contrariwise, continued to be n but
terfiy among the social flowers.
Upon one of those spring days that
seem made for love the three rode
together through blossomy lanes.
Bronson rode but clumsily. SO when
presently his mount bolted 1t was all
he could do to keep his seat. George.
horseman born, was after the run
away in minute. caught him and
checked him so sharply that the mad
creature reared. kicked savagely and
at last fell backward. taking the other
horse with it in a struggling. plunging
heap. That anybody came out of 1t
alive was little short of a miracle. But
there was nothing worse for either
than broken arm. AS Bronson stood
ruefuliy nursing 1t he said. looking
straight in Estelle's eyes: You needn't
take the trouble to tell me anything.
l saw your face as we were going
down. You found out whom you loved
just then-Georgc."
Eyes, George" Estelle said. flushing
like n rose.