Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-12-10

tryin. its best Ia shine this very min
ute
MAY failure attend its efforts that
isl mean you know how very un-
certain such weather is. and if | al
lowed You to be caught again Id never
forgive myself
"Oh. you wouldn't think of ii again,
Of course" she laughed coyly. But
l should he desolated il l caused you
to miss your appointment. It's quite
little nearer 3 than II was, you
know
"liang the appointment! oh, 1 say,
l beg your pardon. you know. But
really I'm having such good time I'd
forgotten. and it's a bore anyway"
The appointments
YES. beastly duty, you see. You
wouldn't mind my unburdening my
self: I'm just in town for a few
weeks on business. and an old school
chum made me promise I'd look up his
sister-gave me letter and all that,
which I'm to present this afternoon.
know her sort too well-the frothy,
gushy kind. Old Bobs the right stuff,
but these girls-Lord, I'd no end rath-
er he excused. If it had only been
some one like you. now
''Oh. you really mustn't say it." came
queer. mutiled voice.
Ward looked down to see a very pink
face. pair of unaccountably rOguish
eyes and tempting mouth that witch
ell at the corners.
"Why mustn't l say it," he persist
ed. Hang conventionality! There go
again-but hang 1t anyway! Here am
having the best time of my life, and
just because we happen not to have
met formally | can't say what think
And, worse still. I've got to go pres
emily and run my head straight into a
moose. Probably find an at home and
the house full of others just like her.
I'd not rebel at all If you were to take
care of me-that is. If you were will
ing. Can't we be introduced or some
thing. whatever would be necessary to
make il proper"
The pretty face had burned pinker
and pinker.
Don't you think you're a bit hard
on n girl you've never SEEM" suggest
ed the same mufiied voice
Don't have to see her What's more
don't want to. l know the sort, I tell
you But Bob
Bob who? | might know his sister"
Bob Dalrymple. Grand old chap
too
II knew it, triumphantly. Il mean
yes. have heard of him. And here
we are ut Mrs. Walkers. You can't
think how grateful am for the share
in your umbrella-and your very re-
freshing frank ness. Goodby"
"Oh. say. You're going to let me
find YOU again. aren't you? To lose you
at once for mere form when I've
waited all these years.
The genuine distress on his face was
too much for Phyllis composure and
the repressed laugh-er came In a gale
of merriment.
Il won't detain YOU longer" she said,
swinging the gate with her toe. II have
an engagement at 3-something Of a
nuisance too. l shall have to entertain
n friend of my brothers. and l under
stand he's rather Il stick-not half so
charming as you have been. I'm sure"
Then the gate slammed against her
hand. and shower of white cards
sprinkled the walk. Ward bent to pick
up her purse and from every white
square was confronted by the words.
Miss Phyllis Dalrymple."
Miss Dalrymple." he stammered in
an agony of humiliation. "I-I-how
could you let me-I''-
But Phyllis was tripping up the
walk. AS she reached the step she
turned and smiled. Just then the sun
burst from behind G. cloud. transform
ing the world into sparkle Of dia-
mond drops.
Miss Dalrymple will be at home,
alone. at g." she said. 1T is possible
that she would listen to a-well, let us
II.