The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-02-08
Seleet Stprp.
aILDA'S HERO.
From Modern Society.

"Why is it that all clergymen get them
selves up to look such trights p
The words were defiant whisper,
breathed into the ear of an elderly maiden
lady, between one of the pauses in il
Faust fantasia, and then carried to the
ears of tall, thin clergyman, who imme
dialely flushed and looked away.
"Hildar'
The tone was one of reproof 1t came
in "a good second with the big drum!
Miss Lely and her niece were spending
few early summer weeks at Bourne
mouth in pursuit of peace and pleasure.
A curious looking parson had wandered in
front OF the band stand in search of Il va
cant chair. He had long, thin face
wore an Inverness coat of ancient date and
carried small, black leather bag. Yet
he was young, and should have taken
some interest in his personal appearance.
"He has eyebrows like-like the pause
marks in musicr' the girl murmured, in
defense of her sweeping criticism.
Somehow the younger Miss Lely felt
she had right to grievance just at this
time Her family had lately been bent
on coercing her into marriage with cler
gyman who, according to all accounts,
seemed to have the virtues Of all the ages
without any of the vices.
Hilda had never seen him. 1t. was
some family arrangement which the
family, exclusive of Hilda, hoped would
''come off some day. The Rev. Ronald
Martyn's father and old Mr.. Lely had al
ways been friends. The Martyrs emf
grated shortly afterward to Australia
while the Lelys stayed in the old country.
Ronald was due in england on long visit
to some distant relatives, and the meeting
fraught with so much importance was to
take place soon.
Il shall not go out again., Miss Lely
said, when they reached their lodgings.
eff you want to go and hear more of the
band this evening, Hilda, 1 will ask Mrs.
Hunt to let her Mary take you
Hilda' eyes sparkled.
Il am never tired of listening to that
Danu. Sic salu. Anu io'e " 81,
aunty!'
And she went Alas, yet another cler-
gyman caught her eye. 1t was an old and
decrepit one this time, who seemed to be
enjoying the music so much that he went
to sleep with rapt expression on his face
and not a thought about falling off the end
seat. A tall, fair haired man opposite,
with limbs like Hercules and the face of
an Adonis, strobe across the grass and
propped him up just in time.
A day or two later the scene was re-
called to her. She and her aunt were
crossing Old Christchurch road when a
motor car whizzed round corner without
warning. The elder Miss Lely gasped !;
the younger pushed her with all her might
out of the way Of the advancing monster,
and was in turn thrust out of danger by
mighty hand. There was whizzing SEN
sation in her ears; for one awful moment
the street ran round, and the ground rose
up before her and refused to stop-then
she found herself clutching a lamppost,
while some one muttered in her ear:
''By Jove! That was close shave!'
She looked up hastily. The hero of
few nights before was standing over her
with an anxious expression on his clean
shaven face and in his deep blue eyes.
"Aunt Ellen! Where is Aunt Ellen p
she asked, little wildly.
Her rescuer nodded in sympathetic
manner. 'She is all right, if you mean
the old lady in the black bonnet and spec
tacles,' he said. 81 expect she is home
by now They took her in cab. -
GA cab! Was she hurt, then p
The tall man laughed. mot hurt at
all" he answered. "Only very much
frightened And 1 promised to bring you
on Immediately. But, of course, as you
know, you tainted and I couldn't. If you
are sufficiently revived I will call a cab.
Hilda laid her hand on his gray tweed
coat sleeve. She had already decided in
her own mind that the Rev. Ronald should
wear dark gray tweed, when she suddenly
remembered that he was clergyman.
"Don't call cab for me, please, she
said, imploringly. Il can walk quite
well. 1t will do me much more good than
driving.
"All right. Then I will walk with
you, he answered, cheerfully.
Didn't see you at the band concert
in the winter gardens the other evening ?"
he asked.
Hilda nodded and smiled.
"You saved an old clergyman from
tumbling off his chair y she said, amused