Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-08-27
ON THE WINGS
OF THE STORM,
There Came a Change In Her
Views on the Question of Love.
BY PHILIP kEAN.


The manager Of the Bear Lake stock
farm watched the storm from the win
dow Of his bungalow. 1t was typical
western hurricane. coming after a dry
spell, with pink lightning and tenn
pestuous winds and the continuous
roll Of thunder.
To the unaccustomed eye It was ter
rifying. but Alexander gazed undis-
turbed. He was young and strong.
But something very like fear gripped
him now as he saw between the sway
ing trees wraithlike figure running
toward the house.
He went to the door and opened It.
He dragged her over the thresholds
little. gasping. frightened girl.
''Pm SO afraid" was all she could
say at first.
"How does 1t happen that you are
out?" He put her in big chair by
the side Of the fireplace. Its so late
and such an awful night"
She looked at him with startled eyes
as she tried to pin up the thick brown
locks that had fallen about her shout
ders.
81 was running away" she con-
fessed.
"Oh." Alexander said as be sat
down opposite her. "You look bit
old fol that. ! was nine when | de-
cided to take to cave dwelling and n
man Friday"
A dimple showed In the corner Of her
mouth. "But-but wasn't running
away to live in cave. ] was running
away to get married"
But Alexander said presently.
'you--you don't look quite old enough
for that"
81 am eighteen" was the explana-
ton, land he is twenty.one."
Her murmured Alexander "Where
is hep
Her lip quivered. 81 think the storm
must have kept him home. You
wouldn't think storm would matter
to a man. would your"
mot man who was going to marry
you" Alexander found himself say
ing.
"Oh"-the warmth In his tone
brought a rosy flush to her face-"of
course something may have kept him."
''Where was he to meet your Alex
ander asked.
"Over there by the church. We are
stopping at one of the cottages just
beyond"
"And when you didn't find him
there you run to the nearest houseT'
II saw your light and ran toward
It."
"And now" he told her. IF you are
rested Bit I'll take you home"
But l can't go back" she cried.
'The door locks with spring. and
haven't key
"Ye godsw Alexander's brows were
knit.
And then. because he could think or
nothing else to say. he asked. Are you
hungry
Starved" she said.
He brought out crackers and cheese
and sardines and olives and MARINA
lade and all the dainties that bach
elor manager who elects to eat at
meals the coarse food that Is given
his men keeps for private consump-
ton.
'If-if / only knew where Bobbie
was" she said. II should be almost
happy"
$50 his name is Bobbie?" Alexander
asked.
She nodded. I'VE went to school to-
gether. and he Is at college now, and
he hasn't anything to marry on. and
that's why mother objected. and that's
why we raI away"
do you love him?" Alexander asked
slowly.
"Of course" she said quickly. ''only
I'm not SO SIRE right now. 1t seems as
II he couldn't have let me come out In
the storm aione-if he had loved me-"
He couldn't" said Alexander
briefly.
And then, after a moment. he said
slowly. II wonder II you know what
love is really like-love for which one
suffers. for which one dies, II need
be?"
She caught her breath. mo one ever
said such things to me Of love before"
she said. "Bobbie and Just thought
Of fun-and-of having our own way"
She was such little innocent thing.
but with such purity In her eyes. such
a foreshadnwing IN her face of the
woman that she might be. that Alex
ander said impulsively. Dear listle
girl, wait until love-real love-comes
to you before you marry"
She held out her hand to him. II
will." she whispered. ~ will wait"
And even as she promised there came
q knock at the door.
Alexander opened 1t, and Bobbie
stumbled over the threshold.
'Why didn't you waltz" he com.
planned at once. "why didn't you
wait. MollieT
''It was such an awful storm. and
you weren't there. Bobbie."
fl.