Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-06-05
TIT FOR TAT.
BY CLARA h. HOLMES.

6y O6AUA ". EJOImEC
copyrighted, 1909. by Associated Literary
Press.l
The train from the west pulled into
the station, putting breathlessly from
ped or the rear car and looked about
expectantly.
"IIilda" he calculated joyfully,
STOPPING to kiss the slender young lady
who approached him with extended
hand.
Her naughty withdrawal and very
indignant look surprised him. and her
critical glance made him painfully
aware of his forty-three years and his
dusty and very ordinary dress
Her glance said plainly. Mercy. how
old he is. and look ut his clothesr'
After five years betrothal their
cherished love dream became at once
intangible by reason of misft coat
and plainly shown girlish contempt
for an accumulation Of years.
But when Ben clasped hands with
Hilda's mother he forgot the bitter
tang Of disappointment. She was un-
changed. Her face wore the same con-
tented look, and the welcome he re-
ceived might have been leaf torn
from the book Of past happenings.
Even the hot biscuit ut supper time
had the well remembered relish Of for
mer days. And the thoughtful man
ner Of saying, "Now go and take your
smoke. Ben: l know you are wanting
1t badly" seemed like the picking up
Of the raveled threads from the tan
gled skein Of time.
Somewhat Of Hilda's aloofness wore
or after the first few days--w whenever
she could forget the humiliation Of be-
ing kissed In public.
"The very idea! Any one would
know he was from the westr she con-
cluded wrathfully when telling It to
her mother.
Mrs. Stevens laughed heartily. Are
people so different In the west? had
supposed that they were merely ener-
getic persons who needed elbow room"
"Oh. you can laugh. but just look
at bis clothesv'
Yes; clothing does make differ
ence In the flavor Of kiss"
Whether It does or not, ! am not GO
ing out there to live with a man old
enough to be my father" was the an
cry reply.
"Tcll him so, not me. You knew
where he lived and his age, didn't you,
when you gave him your promiseT
II suppose SO. but didn't have sense
enough to know what 1t meant" she
grumbled. land besides. he's so much
older than he was then. Why, it's five
years.
"Yes. he is five years older, and so
are you. Excuses are SO easy to find
IL We seek them"
II don't care; he isn't one bit as he
used to ber'
"When people say they don't care
they acknowledge that they are In
fault and know It. l think that the
change is In you. Hllda."
AS the days went by Hilda's dislike
seemed to increase. She would fire.
quently go out and let her mother en-
terrain Ben for whole afternoon
without the courtesy OF an apology.
Ben did not appear to be annoyed In
the least. Instead he chatted merrily
with Mrs. Stevens and easily fell into
the old time habit of calling her Lottie.
Occasionally he would regard Hilda so
teaslngly that she would grow FESTIVE
under his gaze and fly out of the room,
storming to her mother: II hate him!
hate him."
"Well. why not tell him so and end
the engagement? You are In happy
frame OF mind for a prospective bride"
To this Hilda made no reply.
The wedding day drew near. Ben
had been out Of town one afternoon,
and. being delayed by business. It was
late when he returned.
do you know where Hilda ISL" he
questioned Of her mother.
"Why, yes" she replied. she said
that she was going over to her cousin
Nettie's."
"0h. she did. did she" answered
Ben so quizzically that Mrs. Stevens
said nervously. What is wrog"
There's nothing wrong" he replied
with light laugh and settled himself
for a smoke. His laugh was too light
TO be reassuring. Mrs. Stevens drum
med on the table restlessly.
"It's all right. Lottie." he assured
her. laying his hand over her fingers
to still their restless movement. After
moment he remarked. How home
like you make every place. Lottie! I
have been thinking of the hills all day.
and-it makes me homesick. I wish
YOU and I were there" he finished
wistfully.
"It would be nice. I'd like TO see the