The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1909-01-29
Where the
Heart Is.
By GRANT OWEN.
Copyrighted. 1903, by Associated ]
Literary Press.

avenue through the mellow sunshine
OF the Indian summer afternoon. Its
sole occupant, very broad shouldercd
young man. leaned back on the cush.
ions and smoked a contemplative ciga-
rette, abstractedly watching through
half closed eyes the stream Of traffic
whirllng past.
He was a good uatured, indolent
looking young man, one of the kind
who very evidently enjoyed being at
ease. Yet in the dark eyes was Ger.
tain light Of determination, a certain
hint Of latent power that made one
quite inclined to forgive his apparent
laziness.
Suddenly the young man sat erect.
he leaned far forward, peering intent
~ at a figure ON the crowded side.
walk. He watched 1t steadfastly for
a moment, while his Incidence fell
from him like useless cloak, and bis
eyes opened wider and wider.
Impatiently he flicked the cigarette
to the pavement and stood up to open
the trap above his head.
"Hi" he called TO the cabby Il
say. there. pull up to the curb and set
me down, will you? And be quick
about It."
The hanson swerved sharply and
drew up at the curb. The young man
IN, Iad 2a~nnN(,,l 80 al
usual slow dignity in his haste. He
thrust up bill to the cabby, and with
out waiting for his change he went
briskly up the avenue in pursuit of the
figure he had just seen.
He elbowed his way along, now side
stepping some group which blocked
his headlong progress, now all but
breaking into run In his eagerDess.
Ahead Of him he caught heeting
glimpses Of largo hat with blue
feather TINT seemed to serve as a nee
essary incentive TO his hurrying steps
When he had almost reached II the
blue feather turned corner into q
quiet side street, and the young man
In hot pursuit followed after.
Here the sidewalks, being less crowd
ed. gave him better opportunity for
speed. In moment he had oyertaken
the blue feather and touched its wear
or lightly on the arm.
She turned, and her eyes rested on
him with sudden eager light in them
"Tedp cried tho girl happily. TED
OF all the people In the worldr
you have led me frightful chase
Patty" no painted, with mock severity
'I?" she laughed. "How7"
II was IN hanson on the avenue
and l saw you passing" he explained
Il pulled up and gave chase afoot."
What are you doing heref" she de
manded. although her eyes told plnlnly
that she knew very well the answer 10
her question. And why are you here
anyway Surely you are not up here
with horses this time of year. didn't
suppose there was any power on earth
that could drag Northcroft from yir.
ginia at this season"
"a little clipping from morning "a
per early in the week IL responsible for
my appearance" said he. 1T stated
that you and your mother had just
returned from abroad"
''Oh, rcallyw she Knocked. Il suppose
should feel vastly battered to be able
TO bring you up here. Think Of IL
The wild turkey shooting must be
something wonderful now. to say moth.
ing Of the Redhelds hunt. They're rid
ing just now. Of course"
yes, they're riding" said he. but
somehow It's pretty tame sport when
you're not along. Patty"
She looked at him suddenly, and q
faint red crept into her cheeks. "oh.
pshawr she laughed, you virglDians
certainly know how to pay compli.
ments. don't your"
She said 1t lightly enough. but her
voice was not altogether steady. The
young mans sudden and unlocked for
appearance seemed to have discon.
certed her somewhat.
ave Virginlans," he repeated thought
fully. ''Then you don't count yourself
one OF us any longer, PattyT
"Well, fear I'm bit weaned from
the old place." she confessed. You
see, since father died and we came
back here to live with my mothers
people I've been made to feel that /
or part of me at least, belongs MP
here. Father was tho virginian. you
know"
The young man stiHfened. you've
changed, Patty" he said fatty und
with something like disappointment IN
his voice. You used to say that you
we're virginian to the backbone-thal
there was no place on earth like It,
"That was before had seen the
other places" said she.
II see," said he. with a certain odd
constraint, "of course"
Bit by bit he drew out of her an ac.
count Of her travels and experience
during the past three years. He lis,
tened thoughtfully, but with cIoudinp
brows.
"Of course" he observed at length
'you'd find 1t all very dull back there
The old life wouldn't appeal to you
now. There'd be no fun for you to 60
turkey shooting, as you used to do or
to ride to the hounds down the valley
and over to Clark's.
"You wouldn't care about Tim Fair
fields geldings, nor would you be won
dering where in the country we could
find hunter that could top a six rail
fence and make a decent landing"
To his surprise. look almost 4.
pain came into the girls eyes. She
held out her hand to stop him.
gfnonffio uhn aaid Unontfi 4 nanny