Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-08-07
AUNT AL|NE'S TRYST.
The Coming Of the Man She So
AnxiousIy Awaited.
BY JOHN RoxeURY.


Press.l
"why, Aunt Aline! How pretty you
look! What have you been doing to
yourself? And where are you going?"
Little Mrs. Jordan had run into her
aunts coy home on her way to the
city.
"Is It so unusual for me to look nice,
Dolliey"
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; you 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 60
ing out to meet your lover"
The color OF which Dollie Jordan
spoke dccpened TO rose. Miss Shcrwin
laughed an odd, embarrassed little
laugh.
"YeI mustn't come Hattering me-"
she said. "And-I don't wish to hurry
you, but you'll miss your train to town
II you stay much longer"
"Afercy me! So / willr And with a
hasty glance at the clock ais hurried
kiss she rustled away ut n rapid rate.
Miss Sherwin turned again TO the
mirror when she was alone. Dollie
was right. She did not look her twen-
ty-nine years. Indeed. the face that
smiled back ut 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 laslies, had Il beaming brilliance.
Maurice won't see much change in
me-" she said as she put on her hat.
She slipped on a wrap and took up her
gloves. But suddenly she stood still,
shaken by the cruel dread Suppose
he were not there. 1t was long jour
ney here from Australia. Accidents
innumerable were occurring every
week. What IF he were the victim OF
ha
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 little
toss Of her head. Ills last letter said
he would meet you at the old trysting
place on this day. the anniversary Of
our engagement there. Maurice would
never break his word"
She walked ut brisk rate the many
blocks which lay hesween her home
and the park. The charming suburban
pleasure ground was gorgeous In its
autumnal robes OF amber and crimson
and living gold There was con-
tinual drifting of glowing leaves
through the blue. hazy air. And every
where children were making merry,
running and laughing and playing
games.
But when Alice Sherwln reached the
great stone fountain where the leap
ing water no longer glittered her heart
sank with sudden, sharp disappoint-
ment. There was no one there but n
gray haired. specialized man, who
glanced up at her approach only to
bend instantly again over the paper
he was reading. She took out her
watch and consulted 1t.
MY watch is fast. am ten min
utes too soon! How foolish of me to-
TO fearw she said.
She walked up and down the gray
eled path near the fountain. To sit
still was impossible. She watched the
different avenues up which he might
come. It was ten years since they
had parted. Five minutes gone! AT
3 he would be there, he had written
seven minutes!
And he need never have gone away.
II 1t had not been for Mary's unex-
pected death she might have gone with
him. But Aline had declared herself
bound to take care OF her sisters chill
dren.
Six months ago freedom had come to
her. Dan was man and prospecting,
Dollle was married, and Nell had gone
to live with her. So Aline Sherwin
wrote to her lover that she was wait
ing for him.
The clock In the tower changed out
the hour of 3.
She started, and her reticule fell TO
the ground. Three. and he was not
here! Each clang OF the bell had
struck on her heart like blow.
''You have dropped your bagw The
man on the bench picked II up and Of
fered It to her. lifting his hat. I'm
afraid you are disappointed" he said
pleasantly. you were expecting some
oneT'
CO.. T.. all. .-l...o.l -. H.. D..& .t.o