Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-09-03


Ing him toward her during the whole
III his college course Each year he
waS growing older and ~ the time of
his graduation had attained the season
when one begins To think OF his domes.
tic future Ills thoughts during this
period were all of Lucina Clark.
While 10 college Humphrey took one
or two scholarships which brought
him monetary assistance. but beyond
this he had too much on his hands to
study for prizes or hUnors IN his class
Al the time OF his graduation nearly
all his friends nj AthertOn. including
Lucina Clark. went over 10 attend the
exercises ut the college. Rose Wyman
had become the principal of school
for small children. aud the exercises OF
her own pupils prevented her from
seeing her friend graduate.
Humphrey had studied enough law
while In college to enable him TO get
situation In an Office that would pay
him meager salary and give him such
| a legal education ms may be obtained
from office practice. Therefore he did
to stop the payments OF his unknown
friend He therefore directed his moth
or TO return the first payment made
after he began his duties and ask the
cashier OF the bank from which II came
II he might not now know TO whom he
had been indebted. The cashier after
taking time for consultation with his
whenever he felt abundantly able TO
repay the amount the donors name
would be given him. Until then there
could be nothing gained by furnishing
the desired information
Humphrey was much disappointed.
He thought of charging Bob Clark
with being n party TO the matter Of his
bcnefnctions: but. thinking that II his
sister were involved without his
knowledge II might raise delicate
complication. he deslsted. Since the
only clew he had was In connection
with the Clark family there was no
one else for him to consider. In his
perplexity he remembered that he had
been guided by Rose wyman's judg-
ment thus far and 1t would perhaps
be better to take counsel with her be-
fore going any further.
Rose confirmed his idea that II Luz
Gina Clark had had anything to do
with the matter. should he speak to
Bob. complications might arise. In
deed. Rose was OF the opinion that II
any woman had been the donor the sit
uation might become very embarrass-
Ing She advised Humphrey not TO let
the benefaction influence him In the
matter of love. II he loved Lucina he
should tell her so. shutting his eyes to
the fact that she might have secured
for him the assistance which had ena-
bled him TO obtain college education
II he did not love her for herself with
out this (hypotheticab favor he should
not propose TO her on account of 1t.
Humphrey left his friend. having
gained a new item of knowledge. lie
had spent four years ut college and
come home TO learn that girl with a
common school education had more
sense than lie had. He felt like saying
with the poet. knowledge comes. but
wisdom fingers"
lie made up his mind moi to act In
the matter without Roses sanction.
But he seriously considered offering
himself TO Lucina Clark. He believed
that there were nine chances In ten
that she was at least Indirectly con.
cerned In the matter. and II she were
the whole would make n very pretty
romance. But not being sure of his
love for her. he concluded to wait. II
struck him. moreover. that he would
not like TO confess to the practical
Rose that he was influenced by this
supposed pretty romance" He had
come TO dread Roses unromantic way
of looking AT things. lie thought that
If she had only had n little Of the ideal
In her nature he might have consid-
cred her sweetheart instead OF n
friend
But Humphrey could not make up
his mind that he loved I.ucina Clark
exclusive OF the gratitude he felt for
her supposed favor. One day he went
to Rose aud told her this lie also
told her that he had borne the IN
certainty attached 10 the secret long
enough and II was time he was ~
lievcd Of II. He also desired to com.
mence TO make small payments return
ing the amount he had received. TO
do this he must have the name OF the
donor and he bad been told that l.
would at such time be proper for him
to make Inquiries to that end.
Rose considered awhile replying. then
advised him that IL such was his In.
tention he might with propricty ask
the cashier II he would reveal the Sc
cret. Humphrey was 50 delighted that
he was about 10 go TO the bank Ut once
when Rose stopped him
"You have plenty OF time" she said.
II make II the rule OF my life to sleep
over important decisions whenever II
Is possible. Go tomorrow"
Just like you. Rose" he exclaimed
mo impulse. no romance! But you
make up the deficiency In mighty good
sense"