The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-23
AUNT AL|NE'S TRYST.
The Coming of the Man She So
AnxiousIy Awaited.
ey loHN RoxeuRY.

"why, Aunt Aline! How pretty you
look! What have You been doing to
yourself7 And where are you going?'
Little Mrs. Jordan had run into her
aunt's cozy home on her way to the
city.
ais it so unusual for me TO look nice,
DolIieT'
Miss Sherwin turned from the glass
before which she had been giving a
final touch to the soft brown hair that
waved around her white forehead and
smiled quizzically at her niece
mo" returned the little matron with
cordial sincerity; "yeu always look
lovely to Dan and Nell and me. But
you never would buy yourself pretty
clothes while we were with you. and
as you were always doing something
for us you seldom took time to look
at yourself That new golden silk
IS wonderfully becoming, and that
mechlin at your throat, with the
quaint brooch of coral and silver, Is
most artistic. And you have such a
pretty pink color in your cheeks. One
would think you were young girl go
ing out to meet your lover"
The color OF which Dollie Jordan
spoke deepened TO rose. Miss Sherwin
laughed an odd, embarrassed little
laugh.
"You mustn't come fiattering me,
she said. "And--I don't wish TO hurry
you. but you'll miss your train to town
II you stay much longer"
mercy me! So I willr' And with a
hasty 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 beaming brilllance.
Maurice won't see much change in
me-" she said as she put on her hat
She slipped on a wrap and took up ho'
gloves But suddenly she stood stu
shaken by the cruel dread. Suppos
he were not there! Ii was a long Jour
ney here from Australia Accidents
innumerable were occurring every
week. what If he were the victim oi
one2 What II he were III 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 littl'
toss OF her head. His last letter said
he would meet you nt the old trystlnC
place nn this day. the anniversary ol
our engagement there Maurice woult
never break his word"
She walked at brisk rate the manJ
blocks which lay between her hom'
and the park The charming suburban
pleasure ground WIS gorgeous In ID
autumnal robes of amber and crimson
and living gold There was con
tlnnal drifting OF glowing leaves
through the blue. hazy air And every
whore children were making merry
running nnd laughing and playini
games
But when Alice Sherwln reached TN,
great stone fountain where the leap
ing water no longer glittered her hear
sank with sudden, sharp disappolnt
A.n q.
gray haired, spectacled man. VIII
glanced up at her approach only (
bend instantly again over the pape
be was reading She took out he
watch and consulted II
My watch is fast am ten mir
utes too soon, How foolish of me to
to fear" she said
She walked up and down the gray
eled path near the fountain. To VI
still was impossible She watched th
different avenues up which he Nigh
come II was ten years since the
had parted Five minutes gonei A
he would be there, he had written
seven minutes!
And he need never have gone away
II II had not been for Mary's une1
pected death she might have gone wit
him But Aline had declared hersel
bound TO take care OF her sisters chi
dTen
Six months ago freedom had come [
her Dan was man and prosperinJ
Dollie was married, and Nell had gon
4n ltaFs. autNl 4, knNs tVaA
wrote to her lover that she was wal
ing for him.
The clock in the tower changed ou
the hour of 3
She started. and her reticule fell {
the ground Three and he was nc
here! Each clang Of the bell ha
struck on her heart like a blow.
You have dropped your bagr Th
man on the bench picked II up and o
fered II 70 her. lifting his hat. 'T'i
afraid you are disappointed" he sal
pleasantly you were expecting som
one2"
She hardly glanced at him But sh
was in the mood for confidence, an
his voice was sympathetic
Yes" she said and sat down :"
friend who has been long abroad wG
to have met Inc here this day, th
hour. and he has not come"
"I've been great traveller myself
the man said. Where did your frien
live abFoadYA
I'm Australia" Her eyes were stl
seeking an advancing figure along Il
paths that led to this fountain.
''I've been there But of course 4
mighty extensive country, and Il
cities are populous."