Democratic messenger., 1905-05-06

"Yet l suppose we are the ones out
Of all that old set who woull have
been picked out as likely to make ear
ly marriages." he went on. How un-
der the sun do you account for itY'
Its one of the things that can only
be accounted for on the theory that we
are both wise beyond our time." was
the mock grave answer. Then I'm a
teasing tone she continued: MY, but
you're going TO have lovely time.
There are about two dozen little and
big Johns. Marys. Charles and Franks
for YOU to admire.
This Is your Uncle Fergus the
fond parents will say. He and used
to go to school together oh. papa, he
must be an awful old man. That's
what you're going through again and
again. I've been through IL until I
wish the word aunt We're blotted out
of the language"
On and OH they walked. talking with
undiminished interest As he remark
ed in reply to her suggestion that it
was time she turned toward home.
the more they talked. the more they
had To say.
| Never had there been the slightest
sentiment between them. though they
had been good friends until circum-
stances had sent Blynn TO a distant
land on business enterprise. He re-
called her as the best OF comrades-a
girl with no nonsense about her. But
he could not remember that In the
exuberant days OF his youth. when he
had made love In turn to most of the
girls of their set. he had ever included
her As he watched her now from the
corner of his eye, losing no whit of her
mature grace, he wondered by what
charm she had been held immune.
Up to the moment Of their accidental
meeting If he had thought OF her at
all his mind had only brushed her
identity along with the group of old
| friends, all of whom II would be gen.
tie. half sad pleasure to see again. II
only to fix a standard by which to
measure how far he had gone. FOR 1t Is
only thus by comparing ourselves with
the friends with whom we were once
abreast that we can gauge our progress
or estimate our failures.
Yet now he had u curious sensation
of having stumbled upon something
that he had craved- something the lack
Of which had made him restless and
I'll at ease. and as the conviction over
spread his mind in all its amazing GER
tainty his manner grew distracted.
Then he became alert with q sudden
purpose. With something of his old
impetuosity he reasoned that here was
a matter that had been deferred long
enough.
If his instinct told him so much at
that first meeting he was doubly sure
of II ut the end of the following month.
He seemed now to himself to have re-
turned home for the express purpose
Of seeing Elizabeth. Her society was
like long drafts Of cool water from
some boybood's well. He hadn't
thought much about the water at the
time. One never does. He had sup
posed that all water was cool. clear and
refreshing. He knew better now.
There was but one such well-but one
Elizabeth.
1T isn't decent for n woman of your
age to he husbandless." was his scorn-
full way of beginning the attack.
"Ol, don't know" was that lady's
easy rejoinder. I'VE spinsters have
our uses. Think how we serve to point
morals. Why. I've no doubt that I my
self have been the object lesson that
has saved more than one sweet young
thing from celibacy. l can just imag-
Inc a mother saying, You'd better not
be too particular or you'll be an old
maid like Beth Ware."
He grinned into the dark. debonair
face for a moment and then scowled
portentously.
you've had your own way too long.
young lady. What you need is the sub
DUNG effect OF masculine guidance. and
frankly should like the post.
Remember. you let me go away once
before" he went on In an aggrieved
tone. seeing that she was about to pro-
test ''Of course you did II you had
been the right sort of girl, wouldn't
you have taught me that I loved you
even then?"
she laugneQ outright.
II happen to remember that you
were head over heels In love with Har-
old's mamma about that time" she
Jeered. Anyway. we're too old for
sentiment. Our spring and summer
are over"
"Yes. they are" he admitted, with
gravity. But this love of ours"-his
tone rang with the mastery Of one who
Is sure-"we'll call 1t Indian summer"