Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-12-20

ways who had made II seem 80. No
matter how tired she might be with
her day in The schoolroom, she was
always ready 20 rejoice or sympathize
"Ill send her some roses-the finest
I can find" he declared with q sudden
rush OF remorseful tenderness He en-
tered a flower shop and bought huge
bunch OF velvety American Beauties
Send them to this address" he told
the dealer and gave him a card.
Next door was the establishment OF
an expensive furrier. and Lander
passed the window. he saw Marguerite
Fenton looking at a set Of brown lynx
The rich tones went well with her
brown eyes and tawny hair Al she
stood there with the soft fus about
her. she reminded him OF some bar
barrie princess. Ever since he had first
met her at a dinner given at the home
OF the senior member OF the firm.
Lander had been greatly fascinated.
and felt that her beauty and position
fitted in with his ambitious dreams
Yet. strangely enough, today her beau
~ did not make its usual appeal TO
him that mingled with her sinuous
grace. was also something OF feline
cruelty.
Those furs probably cost more than
my months salary" he muttered. Her
Unsuitable craving for luxury would
fasten itself. vampire like, on the life
blood of the man who marries herl'
vtrnd. slnv.v II utraat faat4pty
that the crowded cars would stfle him.
and longing for the sense OF physical
motion and the singing air against
his face. When he reached his rooms
he found on the table an invitation
from Mrs. Dane. prominent society
hostess. inviting him to attend a din
ner she was giving that night.
THAT doesn't lit In with the load OF
work | must get through with before
Office hours tomorrow" YEARLY he
laid package OF business papers on
the table and rested his read in his
hands. What does it all amount to
what does life amount to-" he ques-
toned despondently These people
who invite me do not really care for
me II is merely because I'LL in and
make an agreeable dinner guest, and
Tor that have practically given up
my old friends
lie realized that his present mood
was the reaction from exhiaration OF
conquest which the past year OF al
most spectacular success had given
him.
I'D like to chuck the whole thing
and go back II only ! could have
talk with Alice in the old way, I'd feel
myself again" He sat up with new
energy. Il wonder II she'd let me
Gomez"
There was need 10 look In the tele-
phone book FOR the familiar number
With GREATNESS suspense he waited
while the landlady called Miss Glea.
son TO the phone. and at the sound OF
her voice his heart began TO pound
boyishly. She was serenely gracious
yet he detected a note OF surprise as
he asked permission to call Then she
spoke OF the roses, and added
Il cant begin to describe my delight
over that quaint old English book It
filled a long-felt want for the posses
sion OF a real first edition" Mechan-
ically he responded. questioning him
self the while What book? Did
make a mistake and send Miss Fen
tons Christmas gift 20 Alice? In
my logged WEAKNESS must have Civ
en- the dealer the wrong address," He
thought OF Marguertes demand of the
best as her due. and a sense Of impish
JOY swept over him at the mistake
which had defeated the usual order.
He sent a messenger boy with
note 20 Mrs. Dane containing regrets
for the dinner. then dressed and hur-
ried to the lodging house on Fleet
street.
"Shurre. and you're stranger
these days. Mr. Landers." remarked
the maid who opened the door As
she went upstairs TO call Miss Glea-
son her round Irish face reminded him
OF CHEEKY full moon He glanced at
the worn old haircloth sofa, and cen.
ter table strewn with magazines. the
familiar shahbiness OF the little par
A0A AtnNt Aht past tfhi 0f'liA do uNEfsti
as a feyerish dream
When Alice entered she seemed to
bring with her an atmosphere of Sc
renity and peace. Eagerly he rose.
then sank back on the sofa, his face
went white and everything blurred be.
fore him.
What is it, Edwin. are you ill?" she
cried. In her alarm the old name
slipped ont uneonsciously.
He passed his hand over his eyes in
a dazed fashion, Not Is nothing"
he muttered Then. earnestly. Il am
Tired weary with life as Il is. II is
you ouly ! want. Alice. you, alone in
the wide world that ! love Is there
any hope"
His voice sank almost 70 a whisper.
and for one tense moment there was
silence In the little room Then, by WAY
OF answer. she drew the poor. tired
face against her breast with a ges.
ture OF inefiable tenderness
In fH.s I ara.. faI, 49, o..