Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-12-16

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countenance. then body attired in a
blue sweater. with corduroy trousers
tucked into rubber boots. He stared
expectantly ut the pctriiled group
around the fire at the end of the store.
but before he reached the stove they
had vanished upon one excuse or an
other. Even Iarrel hurried to the 9TH
or room to wait upon an imaginary
customer.
Walter Hoops stopped short. stared
after them and then shot glance at
the embarrassed clerk.
"Hello. Peter he grinned. You
wanted outside or In the next roomT'
IL guess not How are you? You're
quite n stranger here" said the clerk
uneasily.
"I'm going to be more of stranger
after this" said Walter mysteriously,
and he left the store to call In mt one
place of business after another to
meet with more or less embarrassed
welcome from old friends or acquaint-
ances.
II Walter Hoops had kept his word
things might have been different. The
day he had left Compton he had an
nounced that he would never return
to his native village until he came
back d rich man. That he had broken
his word and returned poor and needy,
without stage fare from the station
and overcoatless. was serious INSIDE
meanor IL not an actual crime In the
eyes OF his neighbors.
Now lie strobe down the snowy street
quite unmindful of the flying fakes.
He walked as though he had some spe-
clal destination In mind. Before the
gate of his old home he paused and
leaned against the post The big square
house set in its wide lawns doomed
dark and gloomy in front of him. He
closed his eyes and dreamed OF how
the place would look In the spring
when all the dropping Gins We're in
leaf and the grass was close shaven
and the barn newly painted and there
were horses inside and perhaps bright
red automobile.
While Walter leaned against the
gatepost homeward bound Christmas
shoppers passed him. peering around
to look into his face. which he kept
steadily turned toward his old home.
Sleighbells jingled merrily. and lighted
windows lined the street on either side.
From some place came the delicious
fragrance of newly baked mince pies.
After awhile Walter walked on
through the snowstorm to n small.
many gabled cottage. where light
shone softly through drawn shades.
He pushed open the gate and walked
around through untrodden snow to
side door. He did not follow double
line Of narrow footprints that led TO the
front door. Compton people We're still
passing to and fro. and what Walter
Hoops had to say to Emily Wayland
was not for all Compton to know-yet.
Emily came to the side door. her
slender form showing through the
ground glass before she unlocked 1t.
"Come In. Walter" she said gently.
1--WE been expecting you. heard you
were here"
"Thank you. Emily" he said, stamp
ing the snow from his feet and barring
his head to enter the warm room. Il
expect you've heard that I'm down and
out and that I've come home dead
broke"
"Never mind that. Walter" said En-
lily Wayland. with n break In her
voice. I'm glad you did come TO us.
told mother what I'd heard. and we
are real glad that Cousin Rebecca
didn't come to spend Christmas with
us after all. because now you can have
the spare room. We expected TO he
lonely. and now we won't be-"
Walter Hoops steadicd himself
took one of Emily's hands in his own.
His face looked very keen and strong
in the lamplight. II seemed to have
lost that look of careless good nature
that had marked him as easy prey for
swindlers. Walter Hoops had evident
ly found himself during that eight
years absence from Compton.
Emily. he said hoarScly. you re
leased me from our engagement eight
years ago because insisted. was
poor and had been swindled out of ev
erything. was great fool in those
days. ! told you I'd come back rich
some day, Look at me now. | walked
down from the station. The clothes
have on are poor. and
stop cried Emily softly. II can't
bear It. Walter. know 1t ALL know
you have returned poor. but am sure
you can show them yet what you can
do. know you can! Let them
talkw
"They will talk" said Walter In
curious tone. I'm not poor. Emily
wayland! I'm rich richer than ever
dreamed OF being. I'm the rich New
Yorker who bought our old place. can
put horses and carriages and automo