Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-07-03
WITH THE LATEST
IMPROVEMENT.
And a Pair Of Loving Hearts to
Enjoy Them All.
BY NELLIE q. RANSOM.

Pressl
Dorothy Allen sat on the broad,
white pillared porch watching the
road that wound between the trees to
the village. She had watched the
road great deal during the last few
days, ut first with happy anticipation.
but now with helpless longing
II was bad enough In the daytime.
but 1t was worse when It grew too
dark to see who was coming along the
road. for then the footsteps grew
louder and louder until she was GER
tain that they were going 10 turn to-
ward the white pillared porch. only to
die away again. leaving her sick with
fresh disappointment.
On the previous Sunday evening the
vague. beautiful something which had
cnvelopcd the whole summer. making
IL different from any other summer of
Dorothy's life, had suddenly taken
definite form. \ look, a touch, n word
or two. and she had found herself
without doubt that John Porter low
cd her and that she loved him, but he
had gone away without any open dec
laration. and, though Dorothy had
watched the road till her eyes ached.
he had not returned.
81 might have known It," she said to
herself disconsolately. lie is toe
proud and independent TO ask the
daughter OF rich man to marry hin
Now that his work ON the new electric
road Is finished he will go away, and
shall never see him again."
Dorothy's nelghbor, twelve-year-old
Gladys. came skipping across the lawn,
a very perky pink bow topping her
yellow tresses. She perched herself on
the broad arm of Dorothy's chair.
I've been reading such lovely
story" she exclaimed.
what was II about?" qucried Doro-
thy. with laaguid interest.
"Oh, 1t was about brave knight IN
shining armor," said Gladys, land he
loved fair and noble lady who loved
him In return. But she had gold and
jewels and all that sort of thing. you
know. and he hadn't n thing but his
charger and his good sword. and so he
could never, never ask her to marry
him."
"Well." asked Dorothy as Gladys
paused for breath, "what happened
then!"
oh" replied Gladys, there was
nothing for the knight to do but to
ride away to the wars. and the prin
cess just sat In her tower and pinned
and pinned till at last she died. Oh. 1t was
perfectly lovely-so sad and SWEET
at seems to me-" said Dorothy. al.
most GROSSLY, that II would have Teen
much more sensible for the knight to
stay and marry the lady instead OF
leaving her to pine and die"
"Why." cried Gladys In disgust. that
would have spoiled the whole story"
She jumped from her perch and was
dancing down the steps. but turned to
call back:
"Oh, say, that Mr.. Porter has gone
away, hasn't he? l saw him ut the
station Monday with a suit case In his
hand. Aren't his eyes just too hand
some for anything? I'm sorry he has
left. aren't your"
Then, having unwittingly destroyed
Dorothy's last vestige Of hope, Gladys
cheerfully departed.
A gray haired man with keen but
kindly face came and stood In the door
way behind Dorothy, noting with an
anxious look her dropping figure. He
moved uneasily once or twice and then
came out TO where she was sitting.
"You ought to be playing golf this
fine weather" he suggested.
I'm rather tired OF golf. father" re.
piled Dorothy.
Mr.. Allen took turn up and down
the porch.
HAS that young Porter left?
haven't seen him for several days." he
asked, with carefully careless air.
~ really don't know. Probably he
has" replied the girl. sitting very
straight and assuming an air even
more carefully careless than that OF
her father.
MT. alieil tIteT II lew more tuEus
and anxious sidelong glances betook
himself again To the house. Since the
death OF Dorothy's mother ten years
before the bond OF sympathy and UNI
Outstanding between him and his only
child had grown unusually strong. but
here was n situation which he felt In
nowise competent To handle.
Left TO herself, Dorothy's sprightly
Indifference suddenly vanished. Her
hands fell listlessly into her lap. and
she leaned her head YEARLY against
the back of her chair So he had gone
without even coming TO say goodby.
Well, there was no use watching the
road any longer.
IT'S just like Gladys story" she
sighed 1.-THE knight has gone TO fight
his battles. leaving the poor princess
IN the castle to pine alone. only. being
q twentieth century princess instead OF
medieval one. I'm afraid l can't die
OF love. Girls never do nowadays. J
suppose that's one OF the modern I'M
provements." she continued whimsi-