Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-12-08


ulously. Are you surei'
lin very sure, Miss Morton"
The girls voice was exqulsltely low
and musical.
But they're so hoincly. so unfinished
looking and Thought well. never
mind Arrange them there In that
vase. If you will My lawyer. young
fellow In whom I've taken n great In
terest Is coming up - Wynchell TO
day, and they are his favorite flower"
Miss Gray lost the last of the SEN
tence. From the silver faucet In Miss
Morton's marble hathtub she was
drawing water for the cut glass she
held. Besides Miss Morton had spo-
ken more than half TO herself.
II had been only three days now that
Miss Gray had been with her In the
capacity of companion. and already
Mis-, Morton found herself exchanging
that young persons status from com
panion T. cpufidante. sac had always
had liking for her. this girl with the
tired. pale face and the sweet. sudden
smile. ever since the day when she
had come personally to explain that
there had been some little mistake in
the ordered dinner cards and to make
her apologies II appears she had CIV
eli the dinner ladies powdered silver
hair instead Of dazzling gold That
had been at the beginning OF last sea-
son During the present summer the
.sl.n ha Oh h.tl a
10 sell hadn't proved sufficient for her
to cke out even a modest existence
with Miss VI rtoa was looking for a
companion. ANA she had offered her
services Tint Is the way II had all
come about
There was the rhythmic thud thud OF
horses hoofS on mIcIdam. aud Miss
Morton'S brown cobs whirled through
an irOa gate into a modest drive and
came t. an abrupt halt under her
porte.cnchcre. \ gray drizzlc had set
In. but what did that matter to How
ard Orchard: The fine drops Of rain
driven a.anst his face hy the pace OF
the cobs had been an eXhilarating de
Hight 10 him. AMI aS Miss Morton was
wheeled into the library TO greet him
he was positively cordial.
Mis-, Morton had forgotten her lor-
gnon. Being very shprtsighted. she was
AT loss 10 know exactly where her
companion had placed the gentians.
And, above all things should the sight
Of the flowers bring an appreciable
fraction of pleasure into orchards i'm
mobile face she didn't want TO lose the
sight She rang for Il maid.
"Ask Miss Gray 10 fetch me my
lorgnon" said she.
$50 you remembered" The cXclama-
ton came from Orchard. and Miss Nor
ton lost the sight she had wished for.
after all He had crossed 10 mn ebony
cabinet on top Of which stood the cut
glass vase. Awkward things to ar
range in vases though" he commented
laconically. as II regretting his burst of
emotion.
Yves. that's what my companion said.
She went out willingly enough in all
this drizzle 10 pluck them, but she
SHE'D at arranging them in vase.
She assures me they belong to the
fields. and"
But Orchard veered quickly around.
Ia the mirror back Of the ebony cabl-
net he'd caught the reflection of girls
face Before he had seen her face,
though. he had recognized her There
was no other woman he knew who
held her head so proudly and at the
same time had that wavering little
walk so NJ variance with the queenly
carriage OF her head.
Emily" he cried You"
The girls hand which held the lor-
gnon clutched 1t tightly and went NJ 70
her breast. The other half CROPPED to-
ward him. as with a little lncredulous
cry she repeated the one word. You"
Too tad. too bad" murmured kind
hearted Miss Morton indugently TO
herself that evening laying down her
Goethe unread The day had cleared
beautifully. The last scrap Of estate
settling business had been attended 10.
and now her lawyer and her com
panion were enjoying a bit OF the mel
low harvest moon out on the back
veranda. TOO bad. ! was Just begin
Ming 70 congratulate myself on what a
treasure Miss Gray would be In my de-
cllnlng years. and now the end Of the
beginning or the beginning u the end
Marie" she said. turning 10 the maid.
take those homely blue flowers away.