Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-07-02

he gave her no chance To speak.
Now. put yourself In the place of
these people here. Suppose he man
aged 10 fling IA word of teasing sar
casm into his words suppose. for in
stance. that l. here and now. should
tell you that love you: that I've loved
you since the day we met for the first
time: that | cannot and will not live
without You: that
He stopped abruptly in order Ia take
Il fresh start. Something urgent. ear
nest. appealing had crowded the mock
cry out of his voice. IL had the ring of
appeal. IL sounded far too much In
earnest. lie called the mockcry To- his
aid once more and resumed.
What IL | should tell you that
would rather have your love than the
power of king or the wealth Of Il
Croesus: that should count il fine
and wonderful beyond all imagining. n
moment TO die for, IL I could read In
your eyes that you love me. that some
day you will be my wife,
His voice had become provokingly
husky. II was full second before he
could recover his vein of light rnlllery.
Suppose that should say all this
and much more that I can think OF to
you. here and now, 10 the accompani-
mcnt Of this bewitching music. Could
you sit and listen unmoved? Wouldn't
there he some change in your express
sion and In mine by which n curious
person who was looking on might dis
cover that all the world loves? And
would we care very much?'
He was leaning forward. his strong.
muscular hands claspcd loosely before
With thrill of triumph he saw that
she was not listening unmovcd even
TO the superstition. But she kept a
bold front.
do l seem to be melting?' she in
quired. with touch of defiance which
comported Ill with the tumultuous
beating of her heart and most an
noying feeling Of tremulousness about
the lips. II was too absurd But ut
least he should not know how embar-
rassed she was
Then he proceeded calmly with his
odious suppositions.
But that was not all Suppose that
should tell you that. though l love
you as man can love but once.
though you are TO me the scent of the
roses. the sweetness of music the dear
est joy of life. l am honor bound to
another. Would there bee anything to
show that you cared:"
Slowly the color faded from her face.
She realized II. but she could not help
II. for she felt still and cold and motion
less. Then. almost pitcously. her eyes
sought his. Triumph and gladness
were visible there His look was a
caress. The place. the music. the peo
pie momentarily vanished from her
consciousness She felt as II they We're
alone in the world-a fuller. happier
world than she bad ever before dream
cd Of.
His low. pleased, tantalizing laugh re-
called her. Her cheeks went scarlet
and her eyes blazed.
agnes. Agnes!' he admonished
using her first name without sign
OF apology. precisely as IL he intended
using II always in the future Re
ware. my dear girl, IL those Others
nodding toward the couples whom she
had so lately criticised. were less alb
sorbed In their own affairs. | am afraid
they would he justified In thinking that
we are having n lovers quarrel"
"You wretch she said at last Ii
really seemed the only thing to do =
TO smile and make the best OF II. Then
her glance strayed TO the others. II
was trifie more sympathetic than be-
fore. O'Donohue. az they had named
him. sat silent. uncomfortable. happy
The godling and the blue eyed girl
were talking. but were perhaps saying
more with their eyes than with their
lips
might l have the honor of your at
tention!" pleaded Richardson's voice
meekly.
She turned toward him. trying hard
to look serious, but the corners of her
mouth wavered.
"Suppose"-the voice was bit breath
less-"suppose were TO tell you that
the first part was true-terribly true
the part about my caring for you:" he
questioned. THE rest. of course. was
nonsense"
Little waves OF color swept over her
face and disappeared in the duskiness
of her hair. She gave him one quick
glance. and her lids covered her eyes
and shut out their message
In the convenient shadow of the
chair his big brown hand closed over
hers with touch-gentle. firm. SUI
preme.
There were three pairs Of lovers. but.
alas, no audience.
stories of Artemus Ward.