Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-01-07

venient bush and lit cigar prepare
tory To II few minutes chat.
lie never has shown any special
fondneSs for tobacco - her smile
struck Ferroll rs possessing qualities
OF unconventionality and good COM
radeship- but l really think he likes
the smell of it out here in the woods
We like anything that offers change.
That's the reason we are rusticating"
She told Ferroll about the log cabin
and Sally
You are rather a plucky woman
he looked ut her admiringly-"butw why
did you come absolutely alone?"
That's the nice part" She fastened
a wreath of green leaves around the
neck of the slumbering Billie. II was
tired of everybody. and, II you must
know the exact truth, l ran away to
keep from being married for my
money. had an idea that a match
making friend was concocting
scheme TO deprive me of my liberty"
Ferroll showed a sudden interest.
I'VE have bond of sympathy" he
ance Mt making smoke rings in the
calm summer air Il have an aunt in
Newport who was absolutely deter
mined | should visit her this summer.
She had picked out rich old maid
who owned a lovely cottage. and had
1t all planned that I was to go. to see
and to conquer said spinster So, you
see. came down here to keep from
being forced into marrying for money"
Il used 10 know some people in New
port. What's your aunt's name?
she asked. with pretense of idle curl
osity
Mrs Fenlon. She has been there
for the last three years only" And
his observation being concentrated on
his newest smoke ring. he failed to see
the crimson that flushed her face when
he mentioned the name of her own next
door neighbor at Newport.
Billie's mistress sat under the tree
by the creek one day until she had fin
ished her book, and still Ferroll had
not appeared.
She leaned over and patted the dogs
head.
Its the first time In three weeks
that he has not been here first. Billie"
she said
Billie gave a snort that either ex-
pressed ridicule for the anxiety in her
voice or disapproval of having his ears
rubbed the wrong way; then he sud
denly sat up to listen, and in few
minutes Ferroll came down the path.
For the first time he came without
his fishing tackle. He threw himself
down on the ground beside them and
scowled into the dogs welcoming eyes.
billie. want you to know that I'm
an eyregious idiot Perhaps you will
be somewhat at sea as to the meaning
of egresious. but l assure you it's the
very worst kind of idiot"
Miss Winchester raised her eyebrows
In sympathetic surprise.
Suppose you tell us how you became
aware of your mental defects" she
suggested.
He pulled the dogs head over on his
knee
billie, | dare not tell how l dis
covered the fact of my idiocy. Last
night when l left the creek / was a
happy man. had determined to come
down here this morning and ask you
how you would like to live in q house
with doctors sign on 1t. l had a
faint hope that your mistress would
hate to give you up and would come.
too. To look after you. you know. But.
Billie. that hope is as dead as door
nail had letter from my aunt this
morning, and she mentioned casually
oh, yes. darn casually-that she was
glad l had postponed my visit, as Miss
Julia Winchester was not at home and
she would not have me miss having a
trial at winning her money for any
thing"
The woman sat perfectly quiet while
he continued his condolences.
Nov. she would always think / was
after her money. you unsympathetic
brute. and. to make matters worse. /
have kept her amused for three weeks
with jokes about the old maid at New
port. Dliiie. uo you tuiuh theic 10 u
living woman that would overlook be-
Ing called an old maidY'
She reached over and took hold of
one of the dogs maltreated ears.
Lend me an ear. Billie. You ought
to be a well trained dog. for / have
spent hours on your education. Get
up and express nicely to the gentle
man your overwhelming desire to live
In house ornamented by doctors
sign"
Then she managed to force her head
away from Ferroll's shoulder long
enough to add another sentence:
You might state that your mistress
has fondness for egregious idiots.
Billie"