Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-09-13
HEM BIDDLFS
HOBBY
1t Lost Him His
Bride
By KATHARINE GRAY

which the Finchville Banner always
referred to IIcmcnway Biddle. Mr..
Biddle was the editor OF the Banner.
and In the great shed bnck OF the
printing office was anchored his big
balloon.
On clear days after the paper had
gone to press Mr. Bddle might be seen
tinkering away at his balloon or else
In the act OF soaring over the heads OF
his neighbors in the car attached to
the gas inflated craft.
Hem Biddle himself scared skyward
because he liked the strange sensation
OF hanging between earth and heaven
with the ever present element of dan
ger attached thereto. As counter
irrltant 10 editing country weekly
newspaper he believed there was moth
ing like 1t. excepting always Amabel
Paine.
At this particular moment the Ban.
ner had gone TO press and was In the
hands OF its eager readers. Hem Bid
die was scaling the airy heights. and
Amabel Paine was swinging in a ham.
mock under the apple tree In her front
yard
Amabel's eyes. blue as the sky above.
were fixed drcamily on the green can.
opy OF leaves overhead. There was
one spot where she could see the sky.
Suddenly across this bit OF sky there
raced a black blot.
"Oh. bother!" poutcd Amabel. all at
once remembering that she was en-
gagged 10 Hem Biddlc. II was rather
dlsconcertlng to rccollcct II. for AT that
very moment she had been dreamily
RELIEVING n few delicious hours spent in
the company of Peter Lamb the pre-
vious evening.
The gate crcaked inward. and Peter
Lambs massive form ploddcd sturdily
down the shell path TO the apple tree.
Amabcl watched him. delighting in the
CLINT of sunshine on his blond head
and the answering CLEAN In his brown
eyes when they met hers She blushed
and her eyes hid themselves under
dropping lids as she sat NJ In the
hammock and allowed her little hand
TO rest an instant in his big one.
81 accepted your invitation 10 cal"
he laughed rather awkwardiy rs he sa.
down in a big rustic chair and tossed
his hat 10 the grass. "You can see
that | haven't waited"
Amabel's mouth curved deliciously.
II am glad" she murmured. soothing
the seam of her white duck skirt
Pm that sort. When want 10 do a
thing | can't wait" he went on ear
ncstly Il don't believe understand
the pleasures of anticipation. | know
what | want when see 1t. and then
want II right away"
"Yesg Amabel smoothcd another
seam.
I'm going to shock you. Miss Paine"
went on this startling young man In
a determined tone.
please don't" she murmured
1T sounds foolish on such short ac-
quaintance. but you know ! used TO
live In Finchvillc and we played to-
gether when we were children. Why.
we went 20 school together, The won
der of II all Is that | should come back
again and meet you nj the schooihouse
dance last night and not remember
your name | suppose used TO call
you Amy" he ended daringly.
Amabel said nothing. and Mr.. Lamb.
taking a fresh grip on his courage.
leaned forward eagerly. His hand
some face WAS quite crimson with EN-
barrassmcnt. hut his brown eyes were
pools of flaming determination.
"Don't laugh. please. but love you
Amabcl ! want 10 marry yeu." he
said briefly
The girls eyes flashed up with a
startled question IN their blue depths
II was as IL she We're questioning his
sincerity Ills eyes answered her.
II can't" she whispered sadly.
"why not: His voice was tense.
A shadow passed between them and
the sun
THAT" She pointed upward.
why what do you mean? It's a
balloon. isn't ~" he asked In star
tied tone
She nodded There's man In IL"
she explained.
His jaw frightened. "Ah. It's the
man. | suppos.;'
II mn engaged to Mr.. Biddle." she
said with dignity
"BiddIc. Hem Riddle Of the Ban
ner:"
Yes"
lie got upon his feet and his white
lips curved In wry smile. Just my
luck 20 get here too late. I hope you
will b, very happy, Miss Paine. Is
ito be very soon:"
Amahel Redeemed from brow 10 chin,
qut she held her head hauyhtily. 1T
I Is Indefinite" she stammered
'Thank sou for your good wishes"
He was holding her hand tightly and
looking quite unconscious of that fact
Something small and dark hnrtlcd
down throrish the branches and fell NJ