Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-02-24
Ladu Moon
By A. n. DAVIES OGDEN
Copyright. i90s. bu RubH DUIiglds
By A. II. DAVIES OGDEN


unmanageablc Within the ripple of
soft laughter and waving of many fans.
the glitter and glow of diamonds be-
spoke the fact that Lady Cheynemore
had thrown open Little harrington
House for the celebrated tableauX OF
which all London had been talking for
the week past.
The greatest beauties of the season
Were 10 pose. well known artists had
consented 10 arrange and drape their
lovely models, and "evcrybody'' was
there
Near the door, II little out OF the
crush. Nigel Anstruthcr stood and
looked about him with the eyes Of
the man To whom London sights have
been strange for the last sin years
He was II little amused and a little
bored Society functions We're not
much IN his line. Just bacl, from In
dia on leave. he had run up To town TO
see one or two old friends, and Homo
ria Dcrwcntwatcr. having no spare
moment TO grant him from her other
guests. had suggested his coming ON to
Lady C'heyncmore's.
II was rather nuisance, but he
wanted 10 get back 10 the country next
morning II possible And. after ALL
the color. the lights. the pretty women.
We're not bad Presently he must
lind IIonoria aud ask the question that
this afternoons crowd had rendered
impossible TO put II was expected OF
him. he supposed His people had al
ways hoped for IT, And then all at
once. by II sudden freak OF tn, mag
inatiou. rs he glanced about for the
fair English face there rose before him
the laughing. miscellaneous eyes Of the
little American girl who had leased
bewldered and thoroughly enchanted
him during those few brief weeks In
Simla Whore was she now?
lnvoluntarily his thoughts wandered
back to the day when he had seen her
first dainty ana sweet In fluffy white
sitting under u marquee ut the vice
roy's reception. She seemed such Il lit
tie thing that he started In surprise
when she complained of being unable
10 secure u really good riding horse
The hands She held out for Inspection
Were absurlly small. Still doubtful. he
had yet managed to get for her the
best woman mount To be had in Sim
Ia. But the first minute she was up his
misgiyngS vanished She certainly
could ride
After that every day they were out
together exploring the hills, trotiing
gayly over the smooth. hard roads.
Mrs Wharton. only too glad that Ethel
had found some one 10 10 with her,
couscnling willingly And every day
Anstruthcr's admiration deepened II
there was one thing he approved most
Il was Il good seat.
The girls father was dead. and she
and her mother, a frail but indomita-
BILE spirited woman, We're leisurely see
ing the world. After sitting in Bonn
bay. they had run up 10 Simla for the
breezcs and fingered on. pleased with
the queer little town and the Anglo
Indian life II was quite gay nj that
season Simla was full. and every day
there were dinners. luncheOns. teas and
picnics
Would Anstruthcr ever forget the
moonlight picnic he gave The night
had been glorious Under the soft glow
of an Indian moon the hills lay mlstily
radiant. every leaf on the deOdars
seeming to stand out with vivid life.
Ethel Wharton and Anstruther with
several others had gone on horseback.
the rest Of the party IN rickshaws with
coolies To carry the provisions. The pic
ME had been great success. And then
came the ride home. BY a mutual
though unspoken impulse Anstruther
and Ethel had dropped back of the
others Both were conscious of GER
tain cXaltation OF mood. Il vague ex-
element due to the influence OF the
moon perhaps. Gradually their talk.
at first animated and quick, siackened
10 mOnOsyllables and at last died
away
For several moments they rode on In
silence; then, as II oppressed by the
stiffness. the girl began 10 sing. To
music of her own she had set some
words by George Macdonald: Lady
Moon, Lady Moon, where are you row
ing? over the sea. Lady Moon. Lady
Moon. whom are you loving? All who
love me"
Anstruther, listening. was aware OF Il
sudden pang Was she going over the
sea? Would she be going home:
LADY Moon" he began unsteadily.
"Ah, that IS you so white. so fair. so
perfect. And you, too. VIII pass from
us. What shall we do without your
llghtf"
The girl glanced ut him quickly.
'I.ady Moon. Lady Moon, whom are
you lovingt" she hummed. Anslruther,
his heart suddenly beating fast, leaned
forward.
"Do you mean thatf' he demanded
tensely. do you love those who love
you? For you know that |, Ethel
ms something In the girls face made
his pulses leap. But, the great crimson
waves flooding up over brow and
cheek. she touched her horse smartly.
a