Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-12-19
"why can't you take themi"
afrlaoancass

out. il1 ..aU mean that you don't
want me t. "ilu?'
She held cut 'i.e slim hand to him.
Don't" s'.c SAID beseechingly don't
speak 10 ne Ike that. We must al.
ways be good friends. hut yen mustn't
come"
He too,. her land ITS To he just
frierds:'
eyes
"Ncrer anything moreT'
"Never"
And YET that night after the acct
dent 50. .et me kiss you Margaret"
YES" very low.
The fire nickcrcd and sapped The
ll;;lc eat. disturbed somewhat. slipped
down from Eidgcway's arms and curl
ed herself up on the rug.
Would you mind" Margaret said ut
last. turning off the upper light? The
strong glare hurts my eyes"
The rosy halo of the lamp made dark
the distant corners Of the room Mar.
garct on her couch was Il dim outline
The little cat was invisible except for
her emerald eyes. Ridgeway came
back and sat down; then he bent for
ward
Margaret" he said sharply. "you
are crying"
Yes" she sobbed. I'm crying--oh,
because you are such a black sheep
Justin"
He drew his breath sharply so
that's it:" he said at last
Yes. didn't know until tonight
Aunt Clara told me-
He stood up. Then there's nothing
more to say. Goodby"
lie Went to the door. hesitatcd ana
came back.
Look here. Peggy" he said grlmly
III ! were . story book hero I'd take
my medicine and 20 away ana suffer
Ia silence And II would all be very
tragic and romantic. but 1t wouldn't
he sensible"
He threw himself into the big chair
and knitted his brows. The sensible
thing Is To- Ect over the dill uty.
Let's begin at the beginning. Every
body says I'm a black Sheep"
Yes" she murmurcd
We'll | am. I've wasted my time
In rioious living. rs the Bible says Of
the prodlra, and whom fiunked In
my studies | got what was coming TO
me. But that was bel IRE | met you.
Peggy don't think my worst enc
my could accuse me since the night
| saw you at the Junior prom In your
white gown. with your hair twisted
up In a big braid like Il crown You
seemed the princess IN a fairy tale
and made NJ my mind then and
there that Id win out"
lie drew long breath and went ON
But now | know I'm not good
enough. and | know. too, that have
not any right to ask you To wait for
me. All I'll ask is that you don't con.
denim me utterly. don't shut me out
from your he"
His voice broke Then as She held
out her hand 70 him he went ON
steadily
Tin only going 10 ask that you will
believe In me and II. after two or
three years. no one else has come into
f'AA nv A.A''t sVN 'sAAt At4 anu
have made good. that YOU will let
me plead my cause again"
He stood looking down nj her. Her
cheek was laid against the bunch Of
white violcts Their delicate fragrance
was roundabout her
Dear little girl" he said, "I'll stick
1t out AT college another year. and
then I'll go into business with dad
and show him what can do And II
YOU viii lave faith In me-
Sc sat a.. her eyes shining. "Oh."
she said, Il felt that back of II all
there was man In you. Justin-and
then when you saved my llfe-I felt
that II belonged TO YOU
I'm not half good enough" he said
humbly.
She took from the bunch OF violcts
half dozen blossoms and held them
out to him
They shall be Il talisman." she said
"of faith and hope and love You
must let them keep you from all evil
Justin"
And as lac knelt beside the couch
1,