Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-11-18
At the
Ambass ador'c
deception
BY A. M. DAVIES OGDEN
= Copyright. 1915. by Eugene PARCELS
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IN extremely hot July day even Tor
Paris. and Leighton felt tired and dis
piritcd. But all good Americans must
go 10 their ambassadors reception. Be
sides. there was Il girl. Yet Leighton's
step did not quicken at the thought
His pace. IL anything. slackened. She
was nice girl-oh. yes and pretty
and rich. Nevertheless
The rooms were crowded with the
usual mob of Americans, travelling and
resident. mingled among few French
people. Leighton. watching idly for
moment. caught sight of Miss Harris
we,igcd across the drawing room and
worked his way to her. At his sug-
gcstion of the conservatory she looked
kccnly AT him and seemed to hesitate.
Then she smiled.
why. II might be cooler" she assent
I'd. You know the wayl'
But once away from the crowd, amid
the luxuriani green of the palms where
u little ripping fountain lent note Of
freshness to the heated atmosphere,
young Leighton fell silent As the girl
chattcd gay!y on. apparently unheedful
of his quictudc. Leighton studied her
carefully. She was slight and trim,
perfect in detail from the tiny patent
leather ties TO the huge, rose crowned
hat tilted so becomingly on the wavy
hair. Yes. she was undcniably attrac-
tive. Yet once more Leighton sighed.
Perhaps II was the sight of so many
of his country people together, but un-
doubtcdly Leighton was conscious OF
Il vague nostalgia. Would he ever see
America again?
He was tall. clean cut young fel-
low. with pleasant hazel eyes, but
round his mouth had dccpcned lines
which betrayed that existence was
proving none too kind. Five years ago
he had arrived nj the Beaux Arts
eager. hopeful. ambitious. He had
worked hard. he had struggled pa
ticntly, yet somehow success did not
seem 10 come. and now terrible
doubt was beginning To torment the
young fellow. Had he mistaken his
vocation:
From the beginning his father had
been averse 10 these artistic projects.
There is II place for you In the bank
whenever you choose To come home
and take It," he had said. but 10
money of mine shall go for foolishness
and f'rcnchincn." Young Leighton. at
first too confident 10 dream of failure
and later too proud 10 admit the fact.
had fought along striving To the best
Of his ability. How could he give up
and go home; And. then. just n month
ago he had met Miss Harris.
She was stopping awhile In Paris.
living with rich old aunt and pos
scsscd of the reputation of being her
self extremely wealthy. Apparently she
had NJ once taken Il fancy to Leighton.
She asked hun 10 call The day after
lie had left card ut the Ritz came an
invitation for dinner. and henceforth
nearly every day saw the young peo-
pie together OH some prctcxt or other.
leighton let himself drift He liked
her. liked her immensely To her very
finger lips the girl was scnsitivcly alive
TO the beautiful. her perceptions We're
delicate and fine. her tastes cultivated.
Leighton realized fully her charm. and
yet he still hcsitatcd to put the de-
cisivc question. Her voice broke sud
denly across his reverlc
You are not listening ut ALL" she re-
monstrated gayly. yet with certain
strained note below her mirth. which
n ii.
why this wool gathering tendency to-
day" Leighton laughed
II was thinking how like rose you
looked against all this green In that
pretty pink frock." he answered. Miss
Harris frowncd little.
Il do not care for compliments" she
uttered dryly. Pray let me tell you
again that ! am leaving Paris tomor-
row.
Leaving Paris" echoed Leighton.
"Why"
1--WE 20 TO Lucerne for awhile" stat
in Paris now
"Luccrne" repeated Leighton again
rather blankly. lie could never afford
TO follow her there. II he were going
TO ask her II must he done now. His
mouth frightened. The girl. whose eyes
had scrutnizcd his face with n certain
eager intensity. interposed before he
could speak.
Il am going 10 I.ucerne TO join II
friend" she began rapidly. as though
there We're something which must be
met and faced now. II want TO get
there before she leaves. rs have just
heard that she IL sailing next week.
We have always been great chums.
this girl ana /: had no secrets from
each other and that sort of thing"
Eyes" said Leighton abSently. He
was wondering how II would seem to
work in the bank. Was II fair TO
girl 10 marry her for her money? Aft
or ALL dad was good sort. II he could
only make mp his mind 10 rcnounce art.
20 confess his failure 10 dad. But ut
the thought his throat contracted. Give
IN: admit that he was no good. He
bent forward.
Listen" he began unstcadily. ~
Al. .f..i at