Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-01-07


laughter aud merrymaking as we'll MS
color aud music and light Today was
the day Of days. Prizes had been
awarded aud such was the wisdom
and tact of the judges that no exhibitor
had gone unrewarded.
Benjamin Dlbblc had taken first
prize for his fine Ilolsteins ana second
prize for the mountainous Chester hogs.
These honors meant nothing to Ben
iamin. for they were conferred upon
his stock every year and had been
even In his fathers generation.
The fact that Dorinda Weed had
captured all the first prizes In house
wifely arts did not surprise Benjamin
in the least Everything Dorinda at
tempted was pronounced success, ex-
cepting perhaps the capture of BenJa-
min Dibblc. and that this had not hap
pcned was Bcnjamins fault
Dorinda Weed was sweet and fair
and dainty Her eyes were blue like
the ragged sailors" that bordercd the
dusty roadsidcs Benjamin had wor-
SHIPPED Dorinda from his boyhood but
he had never dared address her beyond
the merest commonplaces. There had
never been but ono thought behind his
worship If her, and that was to ask
her to marry him. or the preliminary
months Of wooing he gave no thought,
He knew he wanted Dorinda and he
intended TO ask her outright to marry
him some day when his backbone felt
little more rigid and when his ears
had ceased TO redden at her approach.
But no miracle had been performed,
ana benjamin had lived wrctchedly on,
mentally curslng his shyness.
Now, Dorinda was thirty-two and
Benjamin was forty. Their parents
were dead their lands adjoined. and
their two houses. each one small and
detached, might be moved TO new
site on the apex OF the dividing hill
between the farms and thus become n
large. comfortable farmhouse. This
plan was Benjamin's sweetest dream
but there was no sign of its being
realized
Benjamin paused one instant in front
OF the domestic exhibit and furtively
adorcd Doruda's toothsome display.
From there he wandered out To the
building where his cattle were quar-
tered, aud he arrived just in time to
see Dorinda Weed timidly strolling the
nose Of one Of his mild eyed Hosteins.
From afar lie watched her blissfully.
ana his heart rose exultantly when she
passed on quite unobseryant Of the
other exhibits.
out IN the open spaces where We
hicles Of every description We're hud
died in confusion. amid the cry Of side
show barkers the conglomeraie smell
Of quick lunch carts, the odor Of fresh
popcorn and steamed CLAIMS Benjamin
stumbled over the gypsy caravan. Here
in gayly fcStooned tent gypsy crone
was telling fortunes.
Kind gentleman" she hailed him
eagerly For silver I viii reveal the
future! reunite broken hearts!
make you successful in love" She
held back the tent dap iuyitlnely, and
under the spell Of some sudden i'm
pulse benjamin Dlbhle entered ana
sat down on small three legged stool
The gypsy knelt before him and held
ont one brown hand, gay with silver
rings.
silver" she Wheedod softly
d., 4
silver quarter from his pocket ana
dropped II lu her palm then, cmbar-
russed by her volublc thanks. he sub
mltted his oWu hand 10 her grasp
She bent her dark. disheveled head
above lts toll hardened surface FOR sew
cral moments and then scrutinized his
good looking ftee with piercing eyes
"YoH love- he said softly. yet YOU
are troubled ! see fair woman The
one sou love 4 dark man comes be.
tween. You VIII find happiness through
golden bird Wait" Suu retaining
his hand, a film seemed 70 drop over
her sharp eyes and her head bent over
hts hand Again She spoke. hut her
words were mumbled set Bcunmn's
eager ear caught every syllable.
"As segely aa comes 81 TIE sun
Two laus SHALL he mndt as pDc
golden lfd without p nest
Shall lead t.e weary heart to tcst"
The gypsy lifted her head ana elane.
I'd sharply al him
What else;' demanded BENJAMIN
eagerly
The woman arose 20 her feet and
looked toward the door, whore little
crowd had gathered. waiting for au
audience 1T is enough the rest you
must do so II is written" she said
hastily.
Benjamin thrust another quarter iulo
her willing hand ana pushed dizz!iy
through the crowd bis heart beating
riotously The doegerel verse vas
emblazoned On his memory he could
have repeated IL backward. forward
indeed, in almost any form rho
reference TO the houses TO be made as
one was as direct prophecy from