The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-11-27

judging in some degree from himself.
He knew that the gay and some
what shallow youth, known to the
not the true inner thinking man,
who ambition was fortunately tenn
pered with whole-hearted sense of
patriotism rarely met with in these
self-seeking times.
When VINEYARD arrived at the door
Of Colonel Wright's house in Seymour
street, the postman was just turning
away from it, having dropped let
ter into the box and given his recog-
nized rap. Thus Jarvis, the old SOL
dier-servant, saw the shadow of
visitor upon the ground glass of the
door when he came for the letters,
and did not wait for second knock
The old warrior knew who this
brown-faced stranger was at once,
and stepped back, holding the door
wide open.
Lena was singing in a small room
Immediately opposite the entrance,
and the door Of this room was wide
orsn. The old soldiers movements
were quick and noiseless, as a SOL
dier's movements should be; but
Winyard was quicker, and. with
touch Of his hand. he stopped Jarvis
from going forward to announce him.
'Wait moment" he whispered.
Lena sung on unconsciously. She
had heard the postman's knock, and
recognized 1t, but was not expecting
any particular letter, and therefore
did not interrupt her song.
The two men stood outside the
door and listened in silence-the old
soldier-whose fighting days were
done, and the young man, whose
time was yet to come. One-a
sturdy, powerful figure, very straight.
with peculiarly fiat back anu
square, honest face; the other some
what taller, Of lighter build, lean and
wiry, active as a cat. They could
lust see Lena's shoulder, and the
play of her white hand and wrist.
Occasionally, as she swayed a little
to one side with the rhythm Of her
music, they caught sight OF her
dainty head, with the soft, dry hair
drawn well up and clustering down
again.
When the last note of the accom-
naniment had died away, Lena swung
rather suddenly round upon the mu-
sic-stool, and found herself race TO
face with Winyard. He was standing
with his overcoat still upon his arm,
and at first Lena thought that 1t was
Charles Mistley. So quick was her
movement that she caught Winyard
looking grave-a luxury he rarely in
dulged in.
Instantly Lena rose, and although
she blushed. she smiled with perfect
self-possessioE.
"Mr. Mistley,r she said. extending
her band, "I never heard you come
In
Then they shook hands, and Jar
Wis vanished with Vineyards coat.
81 am afraid" said Mistley, lock-
ing a trifle guilty, that have been
standing outside since the end OF the
first verse"
Lena gave a little laugh, which
was not quite free from embarrass-
ment.
THAT was rather mean," she said.
az am afraid it was impertinent,
said VINEYARD, quickly, now that
come to think of it; but at the mo-
ment hardly thought of what was
doing. You see, l came In with the
letters, and then, as soon as stepped
inside the door, I heard-you sing
ing. 1 am afraid prevented the man
from interrupting you. You must
make some allowance for a Wanoerer
whose manners have suffered, MISS
Wright. You see, I have not hearo
anything like that for three years.
and I could not resist hearing 1t all.
Do you think l should have SAID
sAhem!' or banged my umbrella Into
the stand, so as to let you know that
some one was listening?'
s'No doubt" replied Lena, that
would hav, been the proper course
TO pursue; but it does not matter
much, I suppose. II you like to listen
to people practicing. there Is no ac-
tual harm in It. Let US go upstairs
to the drawing-room. Our respective
mothers are there. Papa Is dresslng,
and Charlie has not come yet.
Lena stopped rather abruptly, ana
led the way upstairs. 1t suddenly
Struck her that Charlie, whose name
came so naturally from her lips was
this mans brother, and that her easy
manner of speaking of him must
sound objectionably familiar.
Winyard gave her no time to think
OF it, however. He saw the passing
embarrassment, and came to her re-
lief at once.
CTo be contnued.)