The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-07-17

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Sherwood flung up his head. Sud
denly it seemed to him that there was
nothing that he so much wished to dc
as to shelter her from misfortune.
Betty will always be honored by
your presence, as we all areas we
shall always be-" he said, and she
smiled at him and held out her hand.
Somehow I felt that I had found q
friend" she said simply. "That is why
1 told you. 1t seemed best, and knew
you would understand"
That afternoon Sherwood went for a
long ride on his favorite horse, Max
tell, and during that ride he fought a
battle. Now that Dulcie Duval was
out of reach she seemed the most desir.
able thing in the world. Indeed, from
the first moment she had been desira.
BILE, but he had let the artist in him
blind the lover. He had made himself
think that it was her picture, not her
self, that he wanted.
And now that he knew that he loved
her he felt that he must go away
back to Paris to the studiO-to the
dreams that had of late been partially
submerged in his practical plans for
Sherwood farm.
When he came back that night, Betty
met him on the porch.
1--WE are going for ride early in the
morning." she said, Miss Duval and I,
and I want you to go with u.s.
"Not tomorrow, Bettykins," he de-
INJURED. give got lot of things to
do. 1 am planning to spend the sum-
mer in Paris"
Betty's dismayed exclamation brought
his sister and Miss Duval.
'He's going away" Betty cried, "and
he doesn't know when he will come
back"
And Sherwood, watching the face of
the Lady of the Lilacs, saw it grow
pale, and his heart leaped at the
thought that she cared.
In the early morning from his bed
room window he saw them ride away.
Five minutes later he was at the
stables. "How does it happen that
Miss Duval is riding Maxtell?" he de-
manded Of groom.
"Hulda is lame" said the man, "and
Miss Duval insisted on riding Maxtell.
We tried to get her to have one Of the
other mounts, but she wouldn't"
"Maxtell can't be trusted" said
Sherwood sharply, mot with lady.
He never likes the futter of skirts"
81 know, SIR" The man looked wor-
ried.
''Well, get Buckner Belle ready"
Sherwood ordered, land I'll 60 after
them"
AS he cantered down to the gate a
boy met him with telegram. With
out looking at the address, Sherwood
tore it open, then as half dozen
words confronted him he saw that it
was not for him, but for Miss Duval.
Her husband was dead, her lawyer
wired, and she must come at once.
In that moment the whole world
changed for Sherwood. He knew that
1t was unseemly for him to grow
light hearted because Of the death Of a
fellow creature. But for her it meant
xkSCOOI, 1OI udPR1ACSSs
He paid the boy and spurred his
horse to greater speed, and at last he
saw ahead Of him Betty on a sturdy
little mare; Dulcie, holding in Maxtell,
who danced along the road in a way
that spelled danger.
And even as Sherwood looked Max
tell bolted!
And after him, like a shot, went
Buckner Belle.
The big horse was not a match for
the brilliant mare, and presently Sher-
wood was beside Dulcie, his hand on
Maxtell's bride.
Maxtell, meek as lamb at the sound
Of the well known voice, stopped SO
suddenly that Dulcie swayed and Slip
ped from his back inertly. Sherwood,
dropping the brides, caught her in his
arms.
"Dulcie," he said impulsively; "Dul-
Gle, dear!''
She opened her eyes. please" she
said family, ''let me go. You must
not
"Hushr' he said. You are not strong
enough to stand alone, and you have
a right here. You are free at last,
dear heart"
Her startled eyes met his. GLOW"
she questioned.
''He is Dead" he said quietly. 'tYou
are to 60 to Kentucky this afternoon.
Betty's mother will go with YOU"
He released her then and went on In
steady tones.
"But you will come back, Dulcie
When you feel that it is right-you
will come back-to me?"
Betty was pounding down the road
on the sturdy mare. Dulcie looked up
at Sherwood. strong and grave be-
tween the beautiful horses
eyes," she said, and suddenly her
face was ilumined. eyes, will come
back, and you shall paint me-your
Lady of the Lilacs.'"
Feminine Amenities.
what did you think of the wedding?
Was I nervous?"