Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-01-23
6bs Winning of
EdnOnia.
BY JANET CHRISTINE STEPHENS.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

thoughts OF Edmonia Turner, thoughts
which invariably formed the frownlng
background to Percivales waking
hours. he was discouraglngly and mod
ernly inoffensive.
She had once stated succinctly as
was Edmonla's way, that the only
thing about him that remotely suggest
ed standing up for itself was the cow.
lick ut the back Of u square and other
wise irreproachably groomed head
The subject OF this rather doubtful APP
proval was secretly encouraged In the
belief that the cowlick indicated an
aggressive spirit which seemed to be
the heroic attribute In the Imagination
of Edmonia's set.
Edmonia's family appreciative re-
mark had been inspired In her moth
er's attic during the rummaglng Of a
rain bound house party. when. upon
the discovery Of an ancient coat OF
mail. Percivale had pulled II out from
under the caves and had fallen speed
lily to calculating how many chain
dishcloths It would have made for Mrs.
Turner's carefully ordered kitchen.
This was too much for Edmonia. a
man who could evolve dishcloths from
the fabric Of romance must be lacking
In the most rudimentary instincts OF
chivalry. II counted for naught with
her that Percivale Bonney was evinc-
ing n business ability that made his
/ do I'm s.t.
had never had rival IN his loyal de.
votion TO her.
She dreamed Of the clash Of armor
and the risks Of joust and tourney, Il
knight who should perform feats Of
arms for her sake and rescue her, II
need be. from a tyrant's might. In the
free wholesomeness of American so
ciety the tyrant had not appeared,
and to do Edmonia justice she really
did care great deal for Percivalc's
allegiance. only she desired more
daring proof.
1t was therefore incumbent upon this
thoroughly consistent young lady that
she steel her heart against the pleas.
ing picture which a tall. brond shout.
dered. gray clad figure. hat Off and
light hair tossing In the breeze. made
against n morning sky on the first day
OF one Of his erratic autumnal visits
near her country home
She accordingly let her disdalnful
glance dwell upon his extensively rud.
dy cheek and ignored his unaffected
stare Of establishment ut her modern
equipage, brilliantly red automobile
at standstill upon the country road.
What, no. Rebecca. he greeted her
when within speaking distance of
where she sat In the crimson ram
bier. ARMED cap-a-pie see! Is the
drawbridge DOWN.
Edmonia smiled tolcrantly and gave
him her hand.
"But why linger so far from the
paternal castle? Has thy gentle pal.
frey gone lame?"
Edmonia glanced suggestively back
along the highway. I'm waiting for
a friend" She said 1t with conviction.
The dusty road stretched in two long.
undertaking lines In either direction.
No one was in sight. Pcrcival's gaze
abandoned Its quest and returned sus-
piciously to the crimson rambler
could l." he asked anxiously. figure
in that capacity?"
She Redeemed In turn, then scanned
him critically. Perhaps" She was
still rather doubtful Of his capa billties.
Mentally scorning as inexcusable de-
votion to his business which had made
him hitherto ignore the automobile
craze, he fattened himself out after
the manner Of the ardent automobilist
under her car and confided his despair
to her tonneau.
1t was bad enough not to be roman
tic. but not to be even useful was I'M
bearable. He had not the slightest
idea Of how 10 start the machine. He
crawled out from under the machine
and mounted to the drivers seat.
Her sudden accession Of trust. In
spired by his businesslike manner. pro-
voked him to fresh endeavor. He made
great show OF moving brakes. tight
ening useless screws and peerlng into
the machine while she scanned the
scenery.
Whatever he finally did TO that auto
mobile TO start It Percivale does not
know. Suddenly Il slid out Of the
shade Into the road like n bird from
under his hand AHA" he cried. with
an assurance that he was far from
| faplinp ssI Thought SOL"
lie held trembling hand upon the
wheel and answered irrelevant ques-
lions Mt regular intervals. They were
now gliding along between hedgerows
OF gorgeous autumn color. He began
to feel more at ease. Edmonia hum
med little sing as old rs II was
sweet:
The rose that all are praislng
| Is not the rose for me.
lie looked ut her and In that look
forgot his new responsibility. She was
gazing steadily down the dusty turn
pike, little smile upon her lips, as
though she would see the knight Of
her dreams In plumed helmet and
| shining nrmor riding IN hear her A way