Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-09-02
A Seasons Folly
By BRYANT C. ROGERS

HHAn1esfsAss.ssus1nsnk
DR.. Duval was not a man to desert old
friends for new.
Ever since he was a boy the Morgan
place had been second home to him
and Mrs. Morgan and Carlotta his
chums. advisers and confidents. He
could see Carlottas rapt l'ttle face.
pale. yet glowing like a white flower
under her tawny hair. and her odd
brown eyes with the light in them
Ike sunlight through water as she sat
listening to his tale Of a baseball
game, on his entry Into the medical
college, Of his first real case. Of most
things which had ever happened to
him.
And now In the turmoil OF this trag.
edy which he felt had come to him be
had sudden desire for the long, cool
living room down there with Mrs.
Morgan placidly sewing by the open
window and Carlotta leaning forward
in the old mahogany divan listening
intently to whatever he had to say,
her face rejecting her interest.
For grown man. DR.. Duval was
very boyishly homesiek and heart.
sick. Gertrude Whitcomb parted from
him at the hotel with some irritation.
The trip home had been dull She had
exerted herself for a man so ad-
stracted that he had scarcely answer.
ed. Still. she comforted herself, II
was because Of his disappointment.
She really did not imagine he had
been SO desperately devoted to herl
Dr.. Duyal at the same time was on
car speeding out toward the ram.
bling cottage. 1t was almost like old
times to be so welcomed and fused
over and graciously forgiven for bis
winters desertion.
You are SO busy with your work,
we understand Mrs Morgan had said
as she got out his favorite preserves,
And Carlotta, the wistfulness Of
whose face was hidden from him by
its Joy In his presence, was like some
graceful white wrath In the shadows
of the big room.
Il had forgotten" he told her with
the privilege Of lifelong acquaintance,
how wonderfully pretty you were,
Carlottal What have you been doing
with yourself1 You seem to shine"
Don't talk about me-" begged the girl,
nervously. A great fear was hers lest
this stupid, laundering man should
discover It was her happiness in see
Ing him again that had transformed
her, Tell me of yourself, of what
has happened to you this wlnteri"
He had come to tell them-seIfshly
to demand comfort for his wounds
yet he held his tongue.
He stayed late at the Morgans, and
when he left he felt oddly contented
and at peace for a man whose heart
had only that afternoon been broken.
He was surprised when next he saw
Miss Whitcomb that he felt none Of
the bitter resentment which had at
first been his at her refusal. In some
strange way that fever had burned
itself out as though a cool hand had
banished It utterly. He simply did
~. care one was Just as Deautiiui
anu fascinating as ever put MS TO
nance nad crashed mat afternoon IN
the foothills and he had no desire to
pick up the broken pieces. She was
too glittering for comfort, and she had
nurt ms pride Dy her eareiessness
Noehihg cures a mans deVotion as
GOES stao az MS pride, BESIDES
ealiol'a sillile stayed IN ms memory,
= was noe, as ne arsueu 70 nlnseii
soiae meehs iater III sort OF nofrliieu
sniey' .nst ne was hehie anu man
oi uns'aoie anee'ions-lt was Simply
'iia' ne nau Deen unuer speii, lueA'iy
now olokeh, ana had gone OacA 10
"nere ne oeionseu'
having once FOUND ms welcome IN
the ramoling cottage ne lound him-
sen urawn there lrreslstiDly oiteher
tiah IN tne years before. II was 40.
sence' ne told hlmseh' that nad
awakened MN and SHOWN MN car
iottas real ioVeiiness. her sweetness
ana womaniy sympathy. ana When'
hai tearfully, before the summer was
over ana when Gertrude WhiIeomD |
was onlV vague memory. DR. DuYal !