The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-01-07

heard ring at the front entrance, and saw
4 servant cross the hall to the door
She made her way to the wing in which
was the library. She reached the door,
and found it aiar She was about to enter,
when Miss Barbara voice raised in a tone
Of expnslulatinn, reached her ears.
Nv dear Bruce, ynu surely do not
mean to let Berkeley 90 >cot-hee, after hav-
ing acted with such incredible meanness!
After all, what does ii matter? This
letter proves that did not commit the
trifing indiscretion of forging my father 5
name. aud also that Berkeley knew from
the start who the real offender was, and
thuueht it best for his owa interests not Ia
speak Bat il was 10 crime only what
4 good mani schemin@ gentlemen of his
type would have done
But, Bruce, his conduct was simply
rmpossiblell' exclaimed Miss Barbara
My dear aunt, what could do beyond
kicking him ? could not get the estate
back even if | wanted it, which | don t,
And Walton, poor fellow, had a bad enough
death. So shall burn his confession, and
let his people continue to think he was
merely a martyr to i'll luck. As for Berke-
lev, he successful man. and going to
marry an extremely nice girl -
Bruce, actually believe you are doing
this ont of sentiment
Perhaps; every one has a touch some
where, You know.
There was slight rustic in the room,
and the girl moved quickly away from the
door Hardly conscious where she was 90
ing, she ran downstairs, her brain awhirI
at the discovery she had made.
She reached the hall anu flung open the
first door she came to.
oh, feel as il hated Berkeley she
exclaimed, aS she entered the room swiftly.
She started back with little cry oI
alarm, for, sitting in a chair before her,
wa o Young lady pretty aud iashi"nahly
dressed 4 remarkably attractive girl she
decided at a second glance
The visitor stood up and looked at her
with a frank, smiling luok.
ForIive me it appear inqulSiiive,
She said. eagerly But should dearly
lnye ,n know whether the Indication YOU
have just given Of your feelings toward
Mr. Berkeley Mcrriott i likely To be per
n,1ucnt one
That Miss Maige Gretton was surprised
I, to express ii mildly, and there followed
oue of the stransesi interviews that had
occurred in her somewhat uneyentiul life.
In quick. short sentences She untolded
her plan AS she listened, the eyes Of the
pretty little visitor fairly danced with mer
rlment, and at the conclusion she clapped
her hands.
There was the sound Of footsteps in the
hall outside and the next momeut Bruce
Merrjo,, strcI,, into the roon. lie looked
i triae surprised at seeing Nadge with
the visitor
II must apologize for having neediessly
troubled you, Mr. Merriott This lady
has Just explained that have made mis-
take. and come to the wrong house. Ii Is
Mr.. Berkeley Merriott | wished to see.
She wished him good afternoon, and
uiayed toward the door lie led the way
into the hall As she passed Madge, >ht
managed to whisper something in her ear,
and Madse nodded. The next moment
she had gone. and Bruce Merriott returned
to her
po sou know seem to have seen hen
face before he said,
Really? said Madge, with a smile,
He pulled out his watch.
In little over an hour the carriage
will he here. he continued, Would
YOU ike to complete your Gay of misdeed,
by playin. a game of Billiards with me?
She nodded srnilingly.
Presently Miss Barbara came to fetch
them in to tea. aud the remainder Of the
time seemed To As All too soon the sound
OF carriage wheels was heard on the drive,
and Bruce rose from his seat with sigh.
Another few minutes and they were al
standing on the entrance steps of the house,
Miss Barbara stepped forward to speak t,
the coachmau. then turned with laugh
to Madge;
AS said, Berkeley Is waiting on the
rnad-Outside the lines.
She bent down aud kissed Madge' bright
face.
Goodbye. my dear; remember, YOU
have always a passport to the enemy :
headquarters. wish You could have
stayed on parole over the New Year.
Madee laughed and took her seat.
.GooI bye. he said. holding out hi,
hand. 1T has been an interesting Incl
dent, hash it =
For a second time their eyes met, then
she withdrew her hand.
Quite. she said. with 4 gentle laugh.
He closed the door and gave the signal
10 the c,achmau, and the carriage moved
away.
its" he began He stopped be
cause the door opened aud the maid
Ishered in 4 lady.
He gave 4 Htde gasp a> he caught sight
Of Miss Madge Gretton standing before
them, charming picture Of confusion.
..Why. my dear what has happened?
cried Miss Barbara.
.Its little bit bewildering, confess!
cried Madge, going 10 her You remem
ber that you told Berkeley in your letter
that the lady to whom he was engaged
would be ready to 20 in the carriage?
Miss Barbara nodded in amazed fashion
As the carriage turned the bend in the
drive told the coachman to stop, and
cot out. Madge paused My place
was taken by lady whom Berkeley had
given to understand he would marry-be-
fore he met me. She broke into Il little
LAUGH. The change being effected, the
carriage drove on.
"A lady to whom he was previously en-,
gaged? cried Bruce, eagerly. Why
who is she, and how on earth
Madge told quickly the story of the lit,
tie lady who had called during the after
noon. She was Miss IIilda Nerinder, 8
charming young opera singer; they hao
witnessed her performance at the theatre
the other night. 1t was she Bruce had
noticed looking up at the box. 1t APP
peared that the brilliant Berkeley Merriott
had been paying her considerable attention
in short. had acted in the traditional
absurd manner. The first iutimation that
Miss Verinder had of the extreme i'm
y Ill.