Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-12-17
CoyerIy' Substitute
Appearances We're Against
Him.
BY ClARiSSA MACkE.

BY ClAMSSA hiACklE.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association


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"im sorry. Elizabeth" said Ralph
Covcrly, that must go to Chicago
ON business for the firm of Fabens x
| Coverly."
"Never mind, Ralph. My one week
has been lovely. and shall enjoy
spending quiet time with your
mother"
Mother will be delighted to have
you with her constantly. An invalid's
days are dull enough. But there is
an elderly aunt coming tomorrow. and
I'm afraid you'll not find It very
amusing with just Aunt Agatha and
mother I've thought of plan so
that you might enjoy the program we
planned and not miss any of the con.
certs or art galleries or even The OPP
era"
"what is that. dear? Really. hall
OF the anticipated pleasure was the
knowledge that we We're TO be to-
gether."
Ralph hcsitated. and then, as II dis
missing some unworthy doubt from
his mind. he said quickly:
"Why. I've spoken to Fabens. He's
mighty clever chap and Is better
verscd iu all the things you're inter
ested in than am. I'm such prac.
teal fellow. Elizabeth. Well, told
Fabens all the things I'd planned we
were to do the coming week and ask
ed him to see that you didn't miss
any of the pleasures"
"It's very thoughtful Of you. Ralph"
The next morning when Elizabeth
wandered downstairs to late break
| fast she found the expected Aunt
Agatha established ut the head Of the
table. She was n stern yisagcd lady,
whose hair remained shining black
In defiance of threescore years. She
wore gold spectaclcs with thick lenses.
which magniiied her dark eyes with
startling results An ear trumpet dan.
gled from n ribbon over her shoulder.
much like Il powderhorn at the back
OF hunter.
Good morning. Miss Neal-or shall
I say Elizabeth: Ny niece has writ.
ten OF you. and I've seen your picture.
II you'll excuse my saying So you're
not at all the sort OF girl thought
Ralph would marry. lie always pre-.
ferred brunetics. like myself Well.
men are fleklc ms the weather! It's too
bad Mary Is confined TO her room.
You will be very lonely" Miss Dale
paused TO take breath.
Mrs. Coverly will enjoy having
some one with her She is so much
alone except for the nurse" said Eliz-
abeth
~ can't hear a word you say" as.
serted Miss Dale calmly. at doesn't
matter | can always guess what PEG.
pie are talking about nj table. You
probably remarked that you wouldn't
be lonely at all during Ralph's alb
sencc. know Dick Fabcns. my dear.
and more fascinating man never
met. Ralph is very foolish to leave
you In Dicks care. But, there. every
one has his consultations. and that lit
tie dark beauty Ralph was so crazy
about last year lives In Chicago.
There. there. Don't get emotional"
Elizabeth. angry and amused. watch
ed her and when She was alone flu
ished her breakfast and retired 90 her
own room Later her brief morning
visit to sweet Mrs Coyerly brought
forth the fast that Aunt Agatha had
arrived from her suburban home at an
early hour that morning She had sur
veyed the rouse from attic TO cellar
and had interviewed the nurse and the
servants with praiseworthy results.
Mrs. Coverly smiled indulgently and
touched Ellzabcth's serious face with
delicate forefinger. Aunt Agatha
Is an angel at heart. Elizabeth, but her
deafness has accentuatcd certain oddi.
ties In her manner. and she has adopt.
cd Il freedom OF speech that is some
times alarming. Don't forget | shall
expect you to come IN for our game
of chess every evening II You don't
mind devoting so much time TO M old
woman
Ellzabeths answer was to kiss the
hand that caresscd her. and the next
half hour was one OF delightful init
macy with the mother of her prospec
tive husband
Aunt Agatha Mt luncheon was rep
etition OF Aunt Agatha AT breakfast
and her deeply voiced monologue left
the girl with strange sense cf desc
lation. For the first time since her
engagement To Ralph there crept into
her heart vague disquiet rs ia his
perfect loyalty Who was this dark
beauty Of whom Aunt Agatha Dale
babbled?
Two o'clock brought Dick Fabens
with tickets for matinee. and. as
Aunt Agatha was too rheumatic to
go far afield. Elizabeth went alone with
Ralph's partner During their brief
ride In the carriage Elizabeth learned
that MIR Fabens was feeling much
better and that the simple program