Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-06-17
BY Marie Diesier.

ner. Somehow, the idea Of getting
married didn't appeal 20 him quite
as II did q few days before. He
glanced around the room. There
we're all his friends pictures; some
Of the college chums. now in the city,
eminent men Of business; his club
friends. who had been his COM
panlons for so many years. Until
six weeks ago these friends had been
all he wished for TO make his life
pleasant, but hereafter II was 70 be
only one--the girl whose picture
stood on the mantle. One friend
for 30 or more. Was II quite right2
There would be no more club din
ners, no more Jolly times with the
boys, no more bachelor apartments
where he could entertain occa-
sionally in HIS own way.
And how he ever allowed himself
TO 20 80 far as TO get engaged was
one OF the biggest mysteries in his
life. Ii was but a short while before
that he had met the girl. From the
first he had been attracted TO her,
perhaps most OF al b. her frank,
earnest ways. To this bIage man
OF the world she was az some sweet.
Wild flower that had grown up as
free as the air about her, a white
bud that had been kissed into bloom
BY the warm rays Of the sun, and
nourished BY the rain and dew Of
heaven.
They had soon become good
friends; he took her driving ocea-
sionally, called on her oftener, and
we'll, yes, had 1irted with her, too,
considerably. He admitted that II
was but flirting on his part. but
what Il meant 20 her he found out
later.
Tho awakening came one Sunday
evening. As usual, be went to call,
and this night tho girl came rushing
down tho hall 10 meet him, vision
Of loyIiness IN fluffy white gown.
One OF his roses rested among her
curls, and the rest were tueked~in
fragrant mass IN her belt, She
raised her eyes slowly 10 bis.
Aren't you going 20 Kiss meg"
Dalmaine gasDed, Had IL gone
as far as this, then2
But what IL mortal man % do,
when FIVE feet four Of charming
femininity stands before him thus.
especially when she r. young and ~
tfe1ely pretty, when her dark eyes
look into hig and speak things an,
uttefable, when her lips are raised
% hts IN sweet appeal, when her
blusbing face dr00Ds against bis
shoulder and her soft, warm hands
steal into bis7 Daifbaius WIS bat
human, and since that night every
thing IN his life bad been changed,
Prom bis easy going bachelor life be
had been plunged into tho Wbifl~
pool ~ afternoon tens, musicals ard
balls, Dalmaius, tho cInb man, Was
no more. And ono girl had done all
thisl The m0re he thought about
n tho more convinced be grew that
bis marriage must not take Dlgeg,
~ course she could sag she hqd
lifted him, ~ the disparity ~ their
ages that would be- reason enough,
Yes, he must tell her ~ once eBf
could be bear ~ sse the sad look ~
fepfoaeh that would come ~ her
eyss7 No, 10 would write bis OK
PLANTATION How brutal the words
looked on paper, IFS letter sounded
cold and angry, ITO Nas not aBzft
with ber, he hated ~ have ~ burt
her -, IL was only with himself 10
was angry. Why should BE- have
been the man chosen w fate 10 bring
the ffst sorrow Into this cbtd's llfe9
lls addressed and sealed the letter
and handed ~ 20 hls man, Watson,
10 mail.
The following evening, after . o.
filed With q curious longing and an,
rest, De- got into his hat ana cOai,
Win the Intention ~ going ~ BIS
club, bot somehow be found himself
walking IN tho other direction, He.
fore be- quite realized II, be vas
standing 0H her steps aud had fugg
tho bell, and while be contemplated
the Availability 10 turn and run, the
door opened and tho Rlfi stood be-.
fore him. She drew him gently into
the hall There was an awkward
pause. as DE sought yainIg for some.
thing 70 say; then the girls voice,
low and tender. broke tho siisaee.
Aren't you going ~ Mss NOR"
Ife caught her ~ him, almost
roughly.
bat my letter didn't yOu gel ny
letter." no exclaimed
80. DhS had Feceiyed no letter,
Ia fact, had neither seen nor heard
anything from him for three Whole
days. Why lad he stayed away
from her 20 iong7
lie had been ~, be explained.
though hs had tho graco 70 blush -
he said Il, and this letter rae 70 tell
hsf that he would b. ~ that nlgnt,
Watson must have forgotten 70 mail
II very careless ~ him is re-
membsred that Watson bad been
called away hurriedIy ~ the death
Of his father, and ia the hustle ~
departure bad probably forgotten 70
mali tho letter.
But inwafdIy he thought: Dear
old Watson, I'll raise bis pay for