Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-05-08
A MESSAGE
FROM MARJORIE
BY Nellie Cravey Gilmore.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.
BY Nellie cravsy Gilmore.

shakespeare, OF all volumes! HOW
stupid of Thomas to have let out his
books without his knowledge or con-
sent! Only last week he had missed
his favorite. much marked copy of
Rochefoueault. Presley had nabbed
that.
But this was little too much. Es-
pecially in view Of the fact that Ham
LETT was playing that night and there
were couple OF passages he felt he
must run over.
He crossed the room impatiently and
pushed the call bell. 1t was answered
at once by the redoubtable valet.
1T seems still more Of my books are
missing, Thomas. l am afraid you
have been careless. can't locate that
red calf edition of Shakespeare any
where"
you left orders, sir-begging your
pardon-to accommodate any OF the
young gentlemen"-
"When rushed OF to Europe, ehT
A whimsical smile made its transient
passage across Farrington's scowling
face. VERY we'll. ! presume You are
right. was bit upset. remember.
You may CO."
But as the man started toward the
door he called him back.
by the way, are there any book.
stores hereabout?"
'No first class ones, SIR"
"Any-er-first class neighborsi"
"a few, SIR"
"Good! Scrlmmage around and find
me Shakespeare before night and
PIP
But Thomas had already disappeared.
Marjorie Hayward was Just coming
out Of the front door when Earring
toms man stepped up on the veranda.
His request surprised her little, but
she was very glad. indeed, to be able
to accommodate him.
She had copy of Shakespeare some
where, she said, an old, battered one.
but his master" was welcome to the
use Of It, certainly. And with this In
formation she went back into the IL
brary to search for II.
What sort Of people were they, any
how, the new nelghbors who had just
moved in the day before and were al
ready beginning TO borrow peoples
books7 she wondered good naturally.
At last she came across the rusty
little volume, stuffed to overlooking
with old letters, clippings and scraps
Of memoranda.
She held 1t up and shook them out
In a shower, a swarm OF memories
suddenly aroused by the long buried
sight OF certain familiar bits Of writ
ing. pressed flowers crumbling to
atoms, yet vaguely redolent still Of
dear. dead past.
With a smothered sigh she caught
herself back sharply from her foolish
reflections and returned TO the door
with the book. Thomas thanked her
deliberately and FASTENED away. Mar
jorie waited till he had passed up the
short stone walk Of the house next
door. Then she buttoned up her coat
and walked down the gravel path to
the gate.
Harrington took the volume eagerly,
turning the yellowed leaves with def
fingers till he should come to Ham
let" But suddenly he paused, his
eyes narrowed curiously and his heart
gave a startled jump. brief extract
from 1.-THE Merry Wives Of Windsor"
caught his attention. ASK me no rea-
son why l love you, for, though love
use reason for its precision, he admits
him not for his counselor"
The passage was heavily under
scored. and below It were scrubbed
In CONSIDERATION the initials M. H.
seW. f." They were hers-and his!
Marjorie Hayward The name sent
his thoughts tumbling tumultuously
back over the past, sent the blood tin
Cling even to his eyelids. How many
years-nearIy ten.-since he had called
that name. Yet how many days. In
deed, had It been absent from his
heart?
The minutes few by as he sat there
wrapped In meditation. At last he be-
gan again TO slip the leaves absently
through his fingers. when abruptly
they came In contact with something
alien.
He glanced closer. almost Indifferent
". and started again as his gaze rest
ed stupidity upon an envelope stuck to
one Of the pages and addressed In
full to himself-addressed in Marjorie
Hayward's clear. resolute characters
half score OF years ago, when they
had both lived In the same little west
ern town.
Without a second thought as to
whether he should or should not open
It Harrington deliberately tore the let
ter from Its inclosure and read:
Dear Waiter-I have been thinking
things over. and. after all. you must be
right. made the mistake. and ! am
willing TO acknowledge II. We love each
other too much. do we not. 70 let silly
quarrel separate US for life? Come TO me
tonight. I shall be waiting for you. As