Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-09-27

my blessing. He's a perfect dear"
She laughed as her aunt moved majcs-
tically away In the direction of the
stout. white clad gentleman gazing
into a fish pool In distant part Of the
grounds.
The girl came laughing out Of the
sunlight and flung herself In corner
OF the stone seat. which sat in deep
shadow.
She uttered startled cry as she saw
Terry Preston standing there. sunburn.
ed and embarrassed. In his gray tweed
clothes. with his straw hat In his hand
"Ah. | didn't know any one was
here" she cried breathlcssly.
II was about to go" murmured
Terry. with reluctant glance at the
stone seat.
pray do not let me drive you away.
| shall 10 on presently" The girl set.
tied herself In the corner. tipped her
sunshadc over her face TO obscure II
and opened guidebook.
Terry hesitatcd n moment and then
sat down. his cigarette still between
his fingers lie glanced ut the girl and
book held open by pretty white fingers.
He noted that she wore on her right
hand turquoise ring and on her left.
as she turned the pages. he saw
small ring on her little finger.
The rest Of her charming person was
quite concealed by the white linen par
asol.
Presently there came a sneczc from
under the paraSol
Il beg your pardon; hope my smok-
ing has not annoyed you. Really |
forgot to ask you IL you minded" apol.
ogized the discounted Terry.
The parasol went over her shoulders.
and he looked into pair of beautiful
gray eyes. black dashed and dropping
Mt the outer corners. Such rose
tinted skin. such a dainty nose. such a
kissable mouth with dimpled corners.
such firm white chin. such seashell
ears peepng out from the midst of
black hair.
Truly she was marvelously beautiful.
She didn't look rs though she would
throw fellow over because she had
found richer man She lacked that
little hard look in the eyes that mar
red Dulcie Morses perfect beauty.
and somehow she had Dulcie beat a
mile" in Tcrry's self expressed opinion.
Treason pure treason. all this.
II don't object 10 the smoke ut all"
said the girl pleasantly. then craning
her pretty neck as she looked toward
the spot where her aunt had dsap-
peared.
Il wonder she was beginning
when Terry interrupted her.
"They are coming now" he said
"your aunt and the colonel
Together" she asked excitedly.
YES" and Terry craned his neck.
eager to report to his fair companion
any items OF interest
'Do they appear TO be engaged
she was beginning when again he
broke In:
why. yes. you might think so. He's
got his arm around her"
Ills arm around Ophelia:" The girl
arose and laughed tenderly. You
have surprised me. sir. | was going TO
ask II they We're engaged In amicable
conversation. but from what you say
am sure they must be. Perhaps bet
ter explain that my aunt had very
unhappy love affair In her youth. and
it just happened that we We're directed
to this garden of Keshiono You have
heard the story Of how many lovers
have found happiness here:" She
looked at him with clear. beautiful
eyes. In which there was no trace OF
coquetry.
Il have been told that story" said
Terry. blushing deeply.
IF ever was In trouble OF that sort
I should come here" observed the girl
dreamily. Terry saw her eyes were
fixed on the approaching couple. the
handsome military man and the bloom.
ing middle aged woman. and he felt
swift pang OF jealousy. the first dart
Of the little god
h'l't sVu itNti W
come" he said awkwardly. And then
he added rs the reunited lovers were
almost upon them. II hope you don't
mind IL stay and congratulate them.
for. you see. Colonel Preston Is my
uncle. and we are travelling together.
and some day We may be cousins.in
law. ! am Terry Preston"
The girl gave him her hand. and at
that instant the colonel and Aunt
ophelia came upon them. and both
started with surprise.
TERRY. you rascal cried the colo.
mel. slapping his nephew on one broad
shoulder.
"May-why. my dear. you don't
mean TO say-why. ! didn't know there
was anybody" faltered Aunt Ophelia.
her sweet eyes still dim with stirring
OF old emotions.
May blushcd beautifully. and Terry
went oearlet hut THAR arae had ,,,at