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

Madge as to the house and thus it hap
pened that the two girls met and arranged
Il little scheme to their mutual advantage.
Madge finished up her explanation, and
Miss Barbara stood for moment taking
in the details of the situation, then she
went into peals of laughter.
And the irreproachable Berkeley will
get into the carriage thinking you the one
there-and then find it is sher she cried.
Oh, my dear, | haven enjoyed anything
50 much for years!
Bruce Merriott did not laugh He was
watching the @irl intently, She looked up
and her gaze met his.
You arranged this and did not mind?
he said, in lone tone.
II only became engaged to him three
days ago did not know enough of him.
| know SO much now that Her voice
died away nervously.
That you think you would like to spend
the holidays otherwise than in his society
he finished eagerly.
Miss Barbara rose to the emergency.
She slipped her arm affectionately through
Madge's.
There is only one place you can spend
the holidays now. You have joined the
enemy
But, mother" began Madge.
Il will send for her tonight with full
written explanation, continued Miss Bar
bara, briskly II do not fancy the i'm
maculate Berkeley viii raise any objection.
Aud, really, when you come to think of it,
if we keep you, dom see what else she
eau do Come along and take your hat
off She added, in tone that admitted Of
no denial.
As they were going out Bruce caught
her for moment by the door,
L was thinking" he began with a
smile
She paused inquiringly.
''Wel, that it ought to be rather pleas
antr
He saw a swift flush pass over her face,
and the next moment she had vanished.
lie was right it was remarkably pleas
ant How Berkeley Merriott managed To
dispose of Miss Verinder during that drive
i not recorded, but Mrs Gretton arrived
over in the evening, and it was tacitly un-
,,rrsiood that the less said about Madge 5
three days engagement to the brilliant
Young VI p the better.
So it was really an exhilaratipg time.
The inevitable happened few days after
ward; they had just come in from morn
ing skating and found the drawing room
empty.
| am rather puzzled as to how to class
the episode, he was saying. ''You see,
the explanation | had to give you at the
start had really touch OF melodrama in
it
What was my discovery while listening
at the deor? she put in, quietly.
Wen pass on. he said hurriedly,
The next thing was your changing places
with the little actress, and that was farce,
pure farce, you know
Anything else? she said, with smile.
well, be said presently, my pick
ing up your fan in the first instance savors
I oi comedy, ana, oi course, you Deslh
in comedy by picking up a fan-by the
way, do You like comedy?
She was staring into the fire.
II can hardly tell unless | know the
finish, she said. the slightest of tremors
in her voice
lie edged tritle near to her.
Properly speaking, y he said, nervous
", there could be but one end If We
decide ou comedy, I'm afraid you Il have
to marry me, Any other finish would be
hopelessly inartiStie. What do you think?
She did not speak for moment, then
she raised her head and be saw her eyes
sniln. into his
Let it be comedy, then, she whisp-
cred.