Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-07-01
The AtaviSn
OF Pauline
Copyright. 1905. BY Ina Wright Hanson
Blu INA WRIGHT HANSON

"Prometheus" and Femme au Ser
pent." At our left stretched a smooth
red road
1.-THE road Of love. and 1t leads to
paradise" remarked.
Pauline was silent. Her dreamy
eyes gazed beyond the little waves lag
ging in toward shore out to the bank
Of fog which circled the waters, as IL
to shut us two. there in the sunshine.
away from the whole world. My glance
fingered ON Pauline's ripping brown
hair, on her straight little nose, ON her
mouth. and l gave one long sigh OF
content
Pauline" I said. Twill you marry
me-"
NO" she answered.
Her tone was caressing. but 1t held
uncompromising firmness. The fog
was coming closer In.
"Why?"
Pauline turned her gray eyes from
the ocean to me.
"'One thing thou lackest.'" she quot
and give to the poor"
stared blankly at her. Was this
child of luxury. this butterfly Of fash
ion. turning preacher:
II don't say it's original. Ebert. For
generations back there's been every
now and then some one of our family
who has believed and practiced 1t. l
suppose the mantel of these peculiar
ancestors has fallen upon me. for it
has been a life principle with me-"
Maybe I'm dense. but / confess
don't see
II have more money than l know
what to do with; so have you. 1t Is
absurd for us to marry and put all our
money together 1t isn't right. You
must choose some poor girl and l q
penniless man."
NONSENSE
al really mean 1t.
reasoned with her for an hour and
at the end Of the time I left her look
Ing at the ocean. her eyes wet. but her
chin determined. Her chauffeur look
ed mt me inquiringly as ! strobe past
her auto car. which had brought us
both. damned my hat down vicious
ly and started along the red road. but
it no longer led to paradise. 1t was no
'road o. love" and there was no para
disc anywhere.
"'And the young man went away
sorrowful. for he had great posses
sions.'"
It's amazing what a good nights
sleep will do for man. Next morn
ing had an interview with my law
yer. 1t was tedious and somewhat
embarrassing. as I had to explain some
things l should have preferred to keep
to myself. 1t was over at last and I
sought Pauline
found her In the rose garden. writ
Ing rapidly. When she saw me she
sprang up. scattering her papers OH the
grass. She smiled at me tearfully.
IL discovered that I couldn't live
without you." said. taking her into
my arms. II could have given away
a dozen fortunes rather than lose you"
felt her start
"Given away. Ebert" she repeated.
"YOu haven't given away
Every cent" cried gayly. leading
her to seat. "Just got the business
finished. I'm your penniless man.
Now when will you marry me?"
She stared at me. her eyes round and
amazed. Then she laughed nervously.
II have. too" she gasped
oHava what do rIfnu 4 .,,,a.t,I
"Given everything away / was Just
writing to you to tell you that cared
more for you than for my wretched
money: and it's all gone. gone, gonew
Never mind. little girl We have
| each proved our love- Now we will
start in and live as our grandparents
did. ! will buy q ranch
MY grandparents didn't, and you
haven't any money. Ebert"
"Oh. that's so. Well. will go aud
work for rancher. then, and you can
help the rancher's wife, You can make
butter and feed the hens and-and fat
ten the pigs, can't your"
She held up her little white hands.
and l covered them with kisses. Then
ohC put tuciii, one OIL edcu size OF INV
face. and looked steadily into my
eyes,
Gilbert. l will try IL the rancher's
wife will have patience with me-"
ITO whom did you give your for
tune" asked after a minute.
ITO the church for an orphanage."
Her lips were quivering again, so
said hastily.
"Weil. sweetheart. go put on your
plainest gown. as BELTS a poor mans
bride. and we will go mt once to the
parsonage"
laughed when she came back. Her
"plainest gown" was simple AMI white.
but probably cost as much as l could
earn on the ranch In a year.
'The minister lent me the money
for the license and has promised to
wait till got my first months wages
for that and his fee" l explained as
we walked along.
Pauline's face flushed and she look