Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-08-04

-noddtng toward the Dig white mousse
but my hoisekccpcr. and she's sick
this morning; So I'm wondering II you'll
accept these" With the gallantry of
knight he held out to her his creel.
"Oh. Mr.. Selden" exclaimed the good
woman. II bit Mustered. but smiling with
unmistakable appreciation. Would the
heavens fall next? When had MIR Sell
den Howard last honored her humble
dwelling like thisi Surely not since his
mother died, poor soull Accept them;
We'll. just guess | will. And 80 Mrs.
Patch is sick Well. you'll Just stay
here to breakfast tn he all ready in
fifteen minutes" This was as much
as Howard had hoped for
You're awfully kind. Mrs. Jones"
he said. affecting surprise. "And-yes.
believe III stay. I've a sick collie
over In the kennels I'll 20 back and
look after her: then I'll be back to ac-
ccpt your hospitality"
When Katherine ms9r entered the
dining room Mira &s@~ " course pre-
scented Mr. Howard
she conventionally. with II smile Il lit
tie tired in spite of the play Of childish
dmples. But Selden WAS looking down
ndmiringly on the fine. white parting
that separated the braids of purest
flax
And how dye like them. Mr. Sell
den - asked Mrs Jones Il bit later. re-
fcrring 10 the biscuit.
II love them" answered he. referring
TO the girls dimples.
OF course that was only the begin
ming After that Selden Howard man
aged almost daily 10 meet Katherine.
or NJ least 10 catch a glimpse Of her.
Her lovely. tired eyes and little. quiet
ways appc led to him IN an Infinitely
more tender and real fashion than had
those of many a pampcred beauty
whom he'd met in the course OF his va
rled travels.
one morning Katherine was reading
The House of Mirth' out OH the veran.
ia. AZ least she was supposed to he
reading IL In reality she had closed
the book. keeping the page marked
with her slim fOrctinger She had only
two days more here IN Gods green
earth. and the lllacs seemed TO be- call
Ing her imperatIvely She had been
breathing In lilacs to that extent that
her thoughts seemed 10 he fairly scent
ed with them. All AT once an impulse
of yielding came to her Why In the
world should She not step over the low
hedge aud go into the lilac garden:
She did Bees hung above the purple
bloom. and II little attenuated fountain
tinkled IN the distance. Oh. II was al
together enchanting Just then II gold
en- eyed sable collie came lcisurely
down the curved walk To meet her
You beauty" cried the girl exultant-
ly. STOPPING to pat the dogs queenly
head The collie. with slowly swishing
tail. gently kissed her behind the ear
A commanding whistle from around
the turn of the walk. and then.
"Mollie. Mollie. old girl. where are
you?" Mollie sat with one ear up, the
other down. as collies will when per
picked She loved her master-but
Also SIlt ibNtu llti HtN lbunh lllfilNlt
"Ah" cried Selden. coming upon
them unexpectedly. But II Is beauti-
full 10 find you in my garden" he said.
looking gladly upon Katherine DO
you know, last night | dreamed you
were here You are very, very wei
come. little lady"
You see Sine explained helplessly,
trying 10 hide her tclltale bushes. III
was the lilacs They called me.
Suddenly he took both her hands in
his and drew her toward the bushes.
Dear lilacs" he whispered whimsi-
cally, she is here now-on enchanted
ground and we must keep her. You
belong to my garden" he added mas
terfully. turning full upon Katherine,
land Will not let you go. The house
yonder is very lonely and waits for
you. You will stay
Her answer Well. she was girl
aud very tired. and he was 4 man and
strong and II was spring and they
We're among the lilacs,