Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-06-08

""hNth btt AHH Eiii. dHu Nu1h tNi a. w.
smiling
This is Mr. John selwyn. Mrs
Austin"
II was all she had to say Selwyn
put ont his hand "Of Chicago" he
explained How are yom. Richard7
Haven't seen you since your freshman
days at Harvard get through" Dick
put out his hand Selwyn knew too
much about him Mrs Austin was
frigidly waiting for more-a queer
glcam In her eyes.
i don't understand" she said Kit
tie, We have been looking for you---"
selwyn took the matter up Il do
owe you an explanation. he said
You see am engaged to Kittie |
came out here TO surprise her. and saw
her on the road and carried her OF
for ride. The engagement was to
have been announced as soon as she
reached home Her aunt knows Il.
Surely you remember me Mrs Aus
tin2 Met you nj my sisters Mrs.
Jackson" Mrs Austin thnwed and re-
membered remembered the
James fortune. and stiffened again.
But In decency she had TO ask him 10
dinner He saw unpleasantness for
kittte ahead. and promptly came to
the rescue again
I'll be glad TO stay To dinner. and II
Dickie will let me share his quar-.
tiers III invite myself to stay until
morning" Dickie was not in posi-
tion to refuse The older man had
bought him out Of a disgraceful col
lese scrape. He rose TO the occasion.
They all went in Kittle hastily
dressed for dinner and Selwyn washed
up refusing Dicks offer Of clothes.
He longed to kick the little cad, but
restrained himself
Dinner went pleasantly enough he.
cause Selwyn would have II SO He
knew himself 10 be irreproachable. he
knew they knew Il. and he had once
been deeply in love with Clara James
who had chosen his friend Smiley in
stead. This was Clara's little sister
And she was like Clara-perhaps she
was even sweeter than Clara. He
looked across the table at her Wild
rose bloom and wide blue eyes. the
fine. firm little chin and intelligent
forehead. She caught his glance and
her flush deepened and burned. He
again addressed Mrs Austin and as
he did so resolved 10 give Aunt Cor
nella the scolding OF her life when he
saw her. To leave the girl with peo-
pie like this while she chased of to
suffrage meetings and got sick at the
wrong times
Mrs. Austin, am going to rob
you tomorrow OF your guest My sis.
ter Is with me In San Francisco. and
We are going TO Los Angeles in few
days. She will take Kittie with her
and meet her aunt there"
Kittie sat still and drew a long
breath Of relief. but her soul was burn.
ing with shame and fear What did
this splendid knight think OF her for
even thinking she might ever ,ove
Dickie AUSTIN What should she say
when she reached his sister? Of
course the engagement matter would
never go any further' Her heart sank
strangely.
The next day saw her safely on her
way TO Mrs Jackson her face glow.
ing. The ride was wonder OF 6e-
light. the beauty of the country after
the eastern snow most Of all the
strong man beside her She gave her
self to the Joy of the moment. charm
in CHIN with everything she said and
sweetness came 10 the top and hub.
bled and sparkled like champagne. A
great protective sense came over the
man. but twinge AZ the heart. too
Only for today was she his, and he
would not have touched her finger |
tips without her censerf. lie turned
10 her as they neared San Francisco i
You've had an adventure. a real
one. haven't you?" She looked al him
SOLDERING. her eyes deep. but Ter
tongue would not speak rive never !
been engaged before" he said and
I'm nearly thirty. II is very lovely
shall always remember it-long |
after you have married the right man
younger and brighter than l."
She shook her head
Il shall never-never-marry any
body-all my life." she burst ont
"After-Dickie-I should be-afraid "
She shlvered and driving with one
hand. he caught at her slim fingers.
Would you be afraid Of me-,
Would your" Her eyes filed with
tears.
oh. but Il isnt--real about You,
You had to lie TO get me out OF ,rng
Bile and you've got Yourself In Mrs |
Austin will tell people and-and---"
she couldn't say anything n yon-
made II real. Kittie Could you9 WIN
your" She turned from him pitifrlIy |
and then brought her glance brayelv
10 his. Her voice was grave and |
quiet.
You don't-love me" The man
laughed outright. Love is as swift as |
a