Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-10-15
MIND OF
MAID
BY Martha
Copyright, 1871. McCulloch-
By Martha Williams
McCullIpclI- ITuitdns

MY. but she is ugly" Mrs. Evans
said. her accent distinctly one of re-
lief. Bronson smiled covertly as he
answered: Don't be too sure of that.
She has eyes"
Eyes. Bah!' The ejaculation was
almost n snort. Estelle heard it, al
though there was the breadth of the
room between her and the irate ma
iron. She looked plaintiyely across at
Bronson. who answered her look with
the faintest humorous nod. Then he
strolled over to her and said In her
ear: Its too easy-quite too easy,
Miss Mischief. l simply had to give
that good soul hint of warming"
Traitor Estelle retorted, pre-
tending to hiss the word high tragedy
fashion. yet ending with dimpling
laugh. The laugh went far to redeem
her face-so far that it set more than
one beholder specializing that old Ma
jor Gilbert's stranger granddaughter
would not really he SO bad looking If
she knew how to wear her clothes
and do her heavy hair. this despite
her wretched complexion. for she had
a beautiful straight nose and good
teeth. to say nothing of her handsome
eyes. Her neck must be bad. else
why was she swathed up To the ears?
Her sleeves also quite swallowed her
gloved hands. but her feet were as
much I'm evidence as they well could
be, incased I'm boots at least three
sizes large.
With everybody else in party bibs
and fuckers, such garmenting made
her conspicuous. all the more that the
gown she wore was grass green. with
a bright pink stock and much dead
white braiding. Spangles and beads
also lurked amid the braid, so many
that there was a color of reason for
Estelle's whisper as she looked down
at herself.
do you know. feel like the court
of King Solomon mt the puppet show"
This made Bronson frown. You'll
give yourself away" he said severely.
FOR heavens sake don't spoil sport
just when it's getting SO much better
than q play"
81 won't" said Estelle contritely;
then in nervous aside: when does
Adonis come In? Do hurry him along!
shan't be easy until he comes. Sup
pose. after all. he should he color blind
able to see only gold and grccnbacks
and old yellow title dceds:'
Suppose nothing so tragic. told
you In the beginning he was artistic
or nothing" Bronson retorted. Art
is. indeed. his weak suit. otherwise
would he he I'm bonds to Miss Adela
Evansy'
"She is SO pretty" Estelle said fer
vently.
Bronson growled: Yes; regular CHI
ma baby beauty-blue eyes. pink and
white complexion and hair always in
the latest mode. Out In the lobby now,
lying In wait for-Adonis. They'll be
coming in together the prettiest pair
Of puppets you ever saw
81 hope he isn't too good looking"
Estelle murmured reflectively.
Bronson scowled.
You'll find him disgustingly so. In
deed. I've been half afraid all along
that when you saw him you'd be sor-
ry''-
Indeed l shan't," Estelle interrupt
ed eagerly. How can he sorry for
anything that sets me free from that
odious bond?'
Bronson did not answer. \ stir about
the door drew all eyes. Adonis. other
wise George Gilbert. Estelles cousin,
coheir and fiance. entered with Adela
Evans clinging ostentatiously to his
arm. She had such habit of clinging
there that the sports of Grasshope had
been ready to give odds this last half
year that she would ere this have writ
ten herself Mrs. George Gilbert but for
Grandfather Gilbert's absurd will.
This instrument decrced fatty which
ever of his two descendants refused to
marry the other thereby forfeited all
claim to the big Gilbert fortune.
The boy and girl had been brought
up half continent apart. Estelle had
come TO Grasshope for the first time
less than week before But tales of
her had been rife there the last three
years, how willful she was, also how
sharp of speech and of temper. AS to
her looks there had been several opin-
ions. Reed Bronson might have spoken
authoritatively. but he chose to be ST.
lent. lie had met Estelle two sum-
mers running ut the seashore. and with
each meeting he became more indiffer-
ent to Grasshope bellies and their
charms. He had known. first of all.
that Estelle was coming to visit her
mothers cousins, the Warrens. Mrs.
Evans thought her bold for IT, She did
not need to marry George before she
was twenty-five AZ might therefore
well have left II to him to do the seek
ing.
What George thought about 1t no
body knew. He smiled down ut Adela