Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1905-03-18

She answered before she thought and
then started, almost losing her balance,
and clutched ut the bank to save her
self. Her face was hot. and she felt
some one seize her from behind for 1t
be frightened Jack dragged her back
and then lifted her to sitting posture.
She scrambled to her feet and faced
him.
What do you mean by sitting on the
very edge of a place like thaty" Jack
questioned angrily. Suppose the bsnk
crumbledT'
She looked at him, wistfully at first.
and then her glance turned wrathful as
she saw nothing but anger i'm his face
II was all right until you came and
frightened me-
II whistlcd to let you know I was
coming and you answered" he retort-
ed
Il presume your coming to this espe-
cial place was purely accidental. like
your advent in this town." she re
marked sarcastically.
Not quite he confessed II fol-
lowed you because | wanted to talk to
you. Sit down and cool Off"
She reflected that this was her first
opportunity to make him sorry and she
sat down gracefully. while he arranged
himself ut her feet and searched plot
of clover for lucky omen. She took
off her white duck hat and let the wind
ruflle her thick. fair hair. He looked
up at her meditatively
You have more freckles this year
than you had last" he announced.
Yes" she agreed, land more sense"
Il imagine your experience has
taught you something" ne remarked.
She sat up. This was not teaching
him to be sorry.
Ethel" he asked suddenly, "yOu
burned all my letters, didn't your
''Of course did" But her heart beat
furiously as she thought of the night
before.
Il supposed you had" he said. 81
only wanted to make sure" He put his
hand absently to the pocket of his blue
serge coat. You see. love letters after
there isn't any more love are such ASST
nine things" he explained; lust twad-
die"
Yours were rather twaddly." she ad-
mitted: "at least the ones l had. But
they're burned"
Again he felt in his pocket She saw
the gesture and misinterpreted 1t.
Light it if you like" she said.
Light it? All, yes" said he. drawing
the pipe from quite another pocket
She watched him fill it. frowning lit
tie at the tobacco pouch. which was
one she had given him. He leaned over
to strike a match.
Your bald spot is certainly much
larger than it was last year." she re-
marked critically.
GLOW observing you are!' he drawled
Then he turned suddenly.
Twill you love me when I'm bald?"
he sang.
AS much as l do now" she an
swered meaningly.
Not as much as you did last night?"
he queried.
Last night. she echoed, the blood
rising to her face. what are you talk
ing about He turned again and took
II letter from his coat pocket. holding
1t up where she could see the address
in his writing. Miss Ethel Hcrriot"
Her heart beat wildly. The envelope
was worn and old looking He drew
out the sheets of thin paper There
were blisters - fresh blisters - upon
them.
Ethel sat paralyzed. The tears rolled
down her cheeks. and she did not try
to wipe them away. Her fingers dug
into the grass on either side
Poor old letter." he said pityingly.
How did you escape the flames 2"
Then he heard sob from Ethel. He
turned. He saw the tears, and mental
ly he called himself a cad. He had
never seen Ethel cry before.
Ethel" he said, I'm n brute, but /
don't mean to be. l came out here to
tell you that 1 love you better than
ever and to own up that l was wrong
and 10 ask you to take me back to your
favor. Ethel he had her in his arms
now, Ethel. dear. you do love me,
don't your
Take 1t out ON Tim, dear, for it was
his fault He brought the letter and
dropped 1t at my feet And then
knew that you had been doing just
what I've done nearly every night for
year, reading over the old letters.
Ethel aren't you glad-a little that
Tim found the letter."
And Ethel's answer. though mufiied,
seemed to satisfy him. They went
slowly home.
Chamberlain's Collie, Cure, and