The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-10-04
Seleet Stnrr.
A WOMAN'S GLOVE
BY c. RANDOLPH LICHFIELD.

down the back. And it possessed IA sweet
and elusive fragrance As [ fingered it
and noted its characteristics. my amaze
ment to find it on my table vanished be-
fore sense of being charmed. | am not
unusually susceptible to the subtle influence
of the fair sex; but, really, that glove was
perfectly charming thing, not, perhaps,
so much in itself as in what it suggested
of its original owner And the mystery of
! it
1t had lain upon my table in the window
right in the center of ray of warm sun
light, which old Sol could not have direct
ed in way to show the glove up to better
advantage if he had been the lime light
man from the theatre few yards away
from the fiat on the second floor of which
l made my home. The whole thing was
most admirably arranged for dramatic
effect. And it was absurdly mysterious !
was practically certain that on enter
! ing the fiat | had used my latch key to
open the outer door, and Bright, my man,
followed me in, taking my satchel straight
to the bedroom
"Brightr' said, dropping the glove
into a drawer Of the table for the moment.
"Bright you're sure nobody has been
here p
"Nobody had been, sir, when went to
the station to meet you, sir, he said, a
somewhat puzzled expression appearing on
his usually immobile face.
"Did you secure the door properly when
you started %
"Why-I hope you don miss nothing,
sir?' he exclaimed anxiously, glancing
about him.
"No-oh, no, no But did you?''
81 think | could swear | did, sir; but,
as you know, sir, when one has shut door
and opened a door so many times day
for SO many months, one hardly notices.
You opened it with your latch-key, sir. "
eyes, I suppose did. Are you sure
did p
"Well-I thought you did, sir.
"H'm. All right, Bright
He disappeared, but returned almost
Immediately. "Beg pardon, Mr.. Winter,
but-you've We made me feel quite uneasy,
sir Would you mind telling me if you
think anybody did come in -?'
"Oh, it $ all right Only I-T-found
this lady's glove on my table, " I said, ex-
hibiting the trophy.
Found -! You don't mean it,
sir T.
"No, I-er. YoH can look at it, but
you mustn't touch it,
"Beg pardon, sir; | didn't. It's the
most extraordinary thing | ever heard, sir,
and makes me feel quite uneasy. shall
have to be looking for new situation" :"
"Why?' | exclaimed, restoring the
glove to the drawer reverently.
"Well, I'm only suited to bachelor
gentleman. I haven IT,
"What am but bachelor p
"That's true, sir; but if ladies can get
in and out of here leaving gloves and such
like behind them without me knowing
ooh, go along, Bright!'' I cried re-
provingly, shocked at the fellows wild
conclusion. I'm the last man in the
world to be allured into matrimony by any
designing damsels, if that's what you
mean.
'That's just what I do mean sir, he
said stoutly. "What business has
female in this fiat, anyway, and leaving
fascinating little things like that, too ?
What's she after, I'd like to know
Why did she do it? Why, bless me, iG's
clear as crystal She's after exciting your
interest before you've even set eyes on
her, that 5 what it is. I'll ask your leave
to have the outer door fitted with new
lock, sir, an T il see that it's tightly closed
another time, sir, or L Il be losing the best
master man could wish for
"Much obliged for your commentator,
Bright, and appreciate your single heart
ed devotion But we'll cling to the exist
ing lock, and I forbid you even to oil it.
Understand p
Perfectly, SIR he replied gravely.
'sAnd if you should happen to hear of
single gentleman wantin' first class man
used to the peculiar ways of military Of
fcers, an would mention me, I'd be very
much obliged, sir.
''When I've done with you" [ said
Q had had him five years, having
taken him out of the army with me),
'you'n Il be fit for nothing but the poor
house.
"You're very kind, I'm sure, sir, he
responded, with beftting gratitude, "but
I'm so used to being bachelor servant
| don't think I could possibly get on with
Mrs Winter, sir. !.
''Calm your fears, Bright laughed.
"You exaggerate the potentialities of gray
suede gloves" I turned to the cabinet
between the fireplace and door communi-
eating with the drawing room for cigar
cite. A vision caught my eye, and |
started.