The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-11-15

y
softness in her voice.
sI did.
"I remember Mr. Myles we'll. He wa
a handsome boy. Tell me what she wa
like. -
''The woman who ruined him was love
ly enough to turn the head of any man,
he said slowly. 'sAnd she was young ant
clever. and
'Tell me what she looked like" insist
ed the girl.
"Looked like? | am poor hand a
descriptions, but
Colbridge broke off abruptly, and ther
continued, almost under his BREATH
s'Her face was soft oval, pale apc
clear, and the curve of her cheek woulc
have sent painter crazy. Her eyes were
dark, and set rather wide apart, and hel
nose was straight, and as dainty as hel
whole figure. These trivial things can.
not interest you"
"They are not trivial to-a woman Mr..
Colbridge. r.,t
He lifted his head, and saw that hel
cheeks were flushed and her eyes very
bright.
"Then forgive me if | talk like penny
novelette,, for--I knew the girl rather well
[ think her mouth was his-Dennis' s.
final undolng. You see be knew nothing
about women, and she was like no Other
on earth. Her hair was dark-though moi
darker than her eyes-and she wore ii
gathered in a shimmery coil on her white
neck. And she was clear Drained and
we'll read, and yet utterly feminine. Sc
Dennis came cropper and | have no doubt
she laughed at him. That is all. y
"And this happened in Belgium
SIN Belgium repeated Colbridge,
steadily,
The girl watched the dancers whirl by
them in silence, her face hidden by bic
white fan.
"Did-did you-like her too ?"
The unexpectedness of the question held
him mute She misunderstood his silence
Forgive me-I have been impertinent.
Butt thought I might know her
;tYou do"
Colbridge would deal out his punishment
to the bitter end, thoug it tore his heart
to pieces.
"And you are quite right" he added,
II did care.
Miss North rose and moved toward a
curtained doorway that led to the deserted
conservatory.
''The heat here is sitting" she said.
81 am glad you told me. Perhaps l can
help you"
IT think not," said Colbridge The
distress in her face was pitiful.
"Have l made a mistake? Were you
not speaking off,
Colbridge played his last card with sick
feeling of cruelty.
II referred to Miss North" he said,
and turned away.
He felt her light touch on his arm.
II thought SO, though | had for
gotten you met her. Is it possible to
smooth matters over? [ shall be seeing
my cousin tomorrow.
"Your cousin !
"My cousin, Dorothy North. She was
to have come this evening. We have
been a good deal together, and-they say
we are somewhat alike. She is thought
less, know; but if
~ have never met or heard of her, .
said Colbridge.
The girl stared at him, pale, uncompre-
hending. Then suddenly wave Of color
spread over her face and throat. Col
bridge faced her with clenched hands,
like man in physical agony.
''Do you understand" he said. 81
have been fool, presumptous fool |
tried to punish woman. And l lied also.
Dennis Myles never met your cousin-he
only saw you for one day, and he left Ok
ford to become a missionary. And | had
never heard of her existence until -
Light broke upon him suddenly, binding
and stunning
~ am afraid we have been talking at
cross purposes, said the girl, and her
voice was cold and steady. "And now if
YOU will take me to Mrs. Sullivan" -
Colbridge's face was set in an extremity
Of shame and longing.
"Won't you allow me to explain p
II cannot see that--that anything
would be gained"
II have lost what l coveted most in the
world through my own madness. Is not
that sufficient punishment p
Her eyes met his pitilessly for an instant,
and then fell,
81 came home solely to see you again,
aud to tell you that you were dearer than
anything on earth to me.
And then Sullivan spoke of your cousin
and, thinking he referred to you, jumped
at false conclusion. God knows l
am paying the penalty. -. . Now let me
take you to Mrs. Sullivan.
"Thank you" said the girl, quietly,
and slipped her arm in his.
Oolbrdge looked down at the white
hand shining ON his black sleeve, at the
graceful head so near his own shoulder.
the curtained doorway came a
sudden burst of music. 1t was the GEL
Dorado waltz. They had danced it to-
yether at the hotel ball on the evening be-
fore she left for England
He made no movement. The girl lifted
her eyes slowly to his.
els there no hope?'' he said, hoarsely.
sYou were cruel
els there no hope?' he repeated.
Her answer was little soft, sobbing
cry, as he caught her in his arms in a
passion of renorse and tenderness.
ooh, my dearest ITO think that you
cared, after all And hurt you sol''
She smiled up at him.
cit isn't too late--to make amends,
she whispered The Sketch.