Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-06-16
Substitution
And Weddings
BY Martha
McCulloch- Williams

Elizabeth crossed the turf so loathly.
so laggardly. she left a waving trail OF
deep green footprints athwart the dew
grayed grass. The line was blotchcd
here and there where she had stopped
and half turned about, but from the
last and llghtcst of the blotchcs IL ran
straight to the wicket gate In the
hedge The path To the gate led around.
almost under the library windows.
Therefore she had avoided t. She did
not want 10 be spicd upon. and. though
the library commonly was empty until
long after sunrise. she had come 10 be-
lievc there was no counting ON where
Miss Prudence Weir would bc nj any
special hour
The wicket gave upon II lane shady
and secluded. yet public passway
Notwithstanding both sides of II be-
longcd Ia Ellzabcths uncle. Dan. He
had been trying To close it ever since
he bought the old Mcars place, but his
rustic nciehbors had held stoutly TO
their right of way. So the young man
walking slowly along the lane was no
trespnSscr. albeit he walked warily,
keeping close To- the hedge. Elizabeth
smiled shanclcsSly To- see him. Now
thai She had really brought herself To
a clandcstlnc meeting she WAS NIL in
happy nuttcr and amazed at her own
hcsitancy.
Yet she said. smiling w at her tall
sweetheart: You must 20 right back.
Billy must 10 you hear? Miss Pru-
dcncc Weir sleeps with both ears and
one eye open BESIDES. she gets W
early more than half the time And
you know She can make Dandy believe
anything In the world, except that he
ought to marry her"
Him, That's pity! Skcpticism
on any other point would he less in
convenient" Billy Mclwln painted,
hurrylng Elizabeth along the lane to-
ward the woods beyond the main tray
elcd road II was not NJ MI the way
he should 20 To 20 home, hut some
how Elizabeth made no protest
Soon they were walking through dew
sweet shade. with birds singing thin
and sweet above their heads. And
presently Billy had his arms about
Elizabeth and was saying. with his
lips In her hair: Honey girl. I've been
thinking hard Miss Weir is the lion
in our path. aud there's Just one way
10 get round her
WHAT" Elizabeth interrupted. lift
ing her head Il little, Billy looked up
among the leaves and colored family
as he answered: 'Oh. we must show
Dandy how deceitful She Is. She's
made him believe II would he sin to
let me have you. Don't you think II
would shake his faith IN her II he
knew she was willing 10 take me her
selff'
Billy" Elizabeth exploded, shaking
with laughter. you wouldn't dare pro-
pose to her Can you live through
breach of promise suit? If only you
could do It, But You never In the
world can"
"Sure you won't be jealous?" Billy
asked pinching her ear
Size made II face at him as she an
swcrcd; Just you try IL. Why. even
II the worst happened IL You got tan
gled past getting out should have nj
least the heavenly satisfaction of know
Ing she had showed herself TO Dandy
the cat she is
Trust me not to get tangled" Billy
protested What else he said Is not
strictly material to this narrative, al
though II sent Elizabeth home nj last
with happy eyes and the color Of
wild rose
Outlines fortune favorS the daring