Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-01-30

tears she would not for the world let
him see. If life had depended ON 1t
she would not have admitted. even 10
herself, that they were more for the
hurt TO her pride involved In his going
without her than for the crushing out
of what but yesterday she had fancled
vas her one true love.
Torrens had awakened it-Torrens,
with his gay elegance, his careless.
easy assumption OF authority, so un-
like Biliy's respectful alteration. Bill
~ was the inevitable. the common
place. Therefore she had resented
him even more than she had resented
the family disposition Of her hand.
Torrens had fascinated her from the
beginning. She had felt II would be
| so finely romantic To ding away u
lover and fortune for his dear sake
And he had asked her to do tia hun
| drcd times ut least-as plainly as any
thing could be asked without words.
And now he had gone, at Billy's
bidding-gone without word To her.
Sharp across her consciousness had
| come the whistle of the departing
train. In passion Of anger and hu-
initiation she turned again upon Billy.
saying in her hardest voice:
Go tell everybody you threw me
over-because of-the other-and don't
let me see you ever again."
She was sorry for the speech before
the gate shut behind Billy, sorrier still
as the days drew into week-a week
full of stir and wondering over Billy's
| approaching departure. She had not
seen him again. even at distance
Daily he walked n block about rather
than pass her gate. He did more
gave up his share In the money, put
ting the whole of 1t safely in trust for
Adela. When word of II was brought
to her she turned away her face, ran
upstairs and was invisible until next
day.
Torrens had written-a light, grace
full. lying letter. pleading imperative
business In excuse for his seeming
rudeness. and at the very end limiting
at wishing her joy with Billy. She
tore the letter furiously into small
bits and next minute wished she had
sent 1t to Billy instead.
Billy was going that night-upon the
same train that had taken Torrens
away. All day Adela thought OF him.
All day she fought with herself.
At 5 o'clock she began furiously to
make some small preparations. At q,
cloaked and bonneted. with travel
ing bag clinched in her hands, she
stole down side streets TO the station
and shrank into hiding there.
Billy would not come for half an
hour. The train came ut Z. but she
must be In time. She had on thick
veil and had chosen the most muiiiing
OF her wraps. Thus nobody recognized
her. not even Billy when he came in.
the center of a hearty group.
They laughed and TESTED with him.
all talking at once and very fast. They
slapped him ON the shoulder and
poked him In the ribs. but somehow
they We're not very merry. Billy him
self was not merry, though he kept up
his part manfully
Adela. watching from her covert
saw lines In his face unseen before.
Otherwise she might have lacked cour-
age for the desperate thing she had to
do II was Il desperate thing. corsd-
ering what had come and gone. 10
walk out and say In weak. small
voice. but SO all could hear: "Billy-I-
have changed my mind. IL want my
wedding present after all. Yes. there's
time. IL sent word to the minister
to have everything ready. you sec.
knew could depend ON you"