The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-23
AUNT AL|NE'S TRYST,
The Coming of the Man She So
AnxiouSIy Awaited.
sv JOHN RoxsURY.
,coDyrigAted. 1909. by Associated Literary

,convrighted, 1909, by Associated Literary
t"'P' Press.l
"Uhy. Aunt Aline! How pretty you
,ook! What have you been doing to
ronrself? And where are you going?''
little Mrs Jordan had run into her
orpts cozy home on her way to the
city.
VIC il 50 unusual for me to look nice,
DollieY'
Miss SherwiH turned from the glass
hofore which she had been giving a
Anal touch to the soft brown hair that
,roved around her white forehead and
smfed suizzicaily at her niece.
mo" returned the little matron with
cordial sincerity; you always look
lovely to Dan and Nell and me. But
Won never would buy yourself pretty
clothes while we were with you, and
os YOU were always doing something
for us you seldom took time to look
of Yourself That new golden silk
is wonderfully becoming, and that
mechlin at your throat, with the
m9iQC D1UOCA VI SOL "a anu oAVOlp Ia
most artistic. And you have such a
nretty pink color in your cheeks. One
would think you were young girl 60
ing out to meet your lover"
The color of which Dollie Jordan
smoke deopened to rose. Miss Sherwin
laughed an odd, embarrassed little
laugh.
'You mustn't come flattering me-"
she said. "And-I don't wish to hurry
YOU. but you'll miss your train to town
If YOU stay much longer"
"Mercy me! So willv' And with
bastv glance at the clock and hurried
kiss she rustled away at rapid rate.
Miss Sherwin turned again to the
mirror when she was alone. Dollie
was right. She did not look her TWEEN
ty-nine years Indeed, the face that
smiled back at her was very sweet in
its bright serenity. The lips that part
ed over cleaning white teeth were
full and rosy. And the large gray eyes,
looking forth from under dark brows
and lashes, had a beaming brilliance.
"Maurice won't see much change in
me-" she said as she put on her hat
She slipped on a wrap and took up he
gloves. But suddenly she stood still.
shaken by the cruel dread Suppos'
he were not there! 1t was long jour
ney here from Australia. Accidents
innumerable were occurring every
week. What if he were the victim of
one? What if he were i'll and could
not make the trip?
The one greatest dread of all she did
not voice even to her inmost conscious
ness.
How foolish you are, Aline Sher'
win" she said, with an impatient little
toss of her head. His last letter said
he would meet you at the old trystins
place On this day, the anniversary OF
our engagement there. Maurice would
never break his word"
She walked at brisk rate the many
blocks which lay between her home
and the park The charming suburban
pleasure ground was gorgeous in its
autumnaI robes of amber and crimson
and living gold There was con-
tinual drifting Of glowing leaves
through the blue, hazy air. And every
where children were making merry,
running and laughing and playing
games
But when Alice Sherwin reached the
great stone fountain where the leap
ing water no longer glittered her heart
sank with sudden, sharp disappoint'
fhnrA hIIf q
gray haired, spectacled man, who
glanced up at her approach only to
bend instantly again over the paper
he was reading She took out he1
watch and consulted it,
MY watch is fast! l am ten min.
utes too soon! How foolish of me to
to fear" she said.
She walked up and down the graV.
eled path near the fountain. To sit
still was impossible. She watched the
different avenues up which he might
come 1t was ten years since they
had parted Five minutes gone! AT
he would be there, he had written
seven minutesi
And he need never have gone away
If it had not been for Mary's unex'
pected death she might have gone with
him But Aline had declared herself
bound to take care Of her sisters chill
dren
Six months ago freedom had come to
her Dan was a man and prospering
Dollie was married, and Nell had gone
to live with her So Aline Sherwin
wrote to her lover that she was wait
ing for him.
The clock in the tower changed out
the hour of 8
She started, and her reticule fell to
the ground Three, and he was not
here! Each clang of the bell had
struck on her heart like blow. E
you have dropped your bagp The
man on the bench picked it up and Of
fered it to her. lifting his hat. I'm
afraid you are disappointed" he said
pleasantly you were expecting some
one%'
She hardly glanced at him. But she
was in the mood for confidence, and
his voice was sympathetic.
yes" she said and sat down. "a
friend who has been long abroad was
to have met me here this day, this
hour. and be has not come"
I've been q great traveller myself" :"
the man said. "Where did your friend
live abroad?'