Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-01-18
REVENGE
Her Better Nature
Conquered
BY cLARISSA MAckiE

actly rs he had planned.
Mrs Sylvester had worn the yellow
roses he had sent He had reckoned
on her looking especially well at the
Ponsonby dance. but she had been ae-
tualy heautiful-her charming little
figure gowncd in pompadour SILK. and
above her soft black eyes cleaned that
crown Of sllvery white hair which dis
| tinguished her among the other women
of her set--and uncertain age
At just the right moment--when she
was slightly bored with the common
places OF the ballroom. when the first
flavor OF the dancing had Departed
he had rescued her from the idiotic at
tentions OF a worshlping youth and car
rled her on 10 n secluded nook IN the
conservatory which he hGd previously
marked for the purpose.
Here. amid the tinkle OF fountains
and the plash of goldfish In the marble
basins. with now and then lulling
murmur OF music from the distant ball
room. amid the heavy scent OF exotic
flowers and the pure fragrance OF
countless roses. Willouchby solemnly
and somewhat heavily. as became q
Jones' Derrick. asked Lucia Sylvester TO
marry him.
The result Of this was that when
they parted a few hours later Lucia
was wearing beneath her little white
glove the engraved emerald which was
the traditional engagement ring OF the
Jones Dcrricks and wllloughby had
her promise that In the approaching
Indian summer they would be married.
All this had been the result of care
ful planning and almost painful fore
thought on the part OF Willoughby
Jones. Derrick He had lived forty
nine years OF his life I'm the firm lie
termination To die bachelor. He
loved too we'll the luxury OF living for
himself alone 10 share his liberal In
come with n wife who M best might
shine brilliantly nj costly entertain
mcnts and dcplcte fortune which
was ample for a prudent bachelor
And In his ilftlcth year his business
agent reported that those sources
whence came his inherited income were
In danger ~ total elimination. even
now were divided by one-half. and
there was no escape from the impend-
ing doom Of poverty except good
marriage The impending doom was
secret between Wllloughby and his
agent. The Idea Of the good marriage
was Willoughby's own Quietly he
had gone about 1t. and the result was
most gratifying. There would he no
cause for wondermcnt that the rich
clubman should marry one Of the rich
est widows IN town
So the last OF the Jones Derricks
dreamily consumed several gold tipped
cigarettes while he pondcred the adj
vantagcs Of the new life that would
open when he assumed the RESPONSE
bility Of becoming Lucia Silvester's
second husband II was very pleas
mt outlook. for he admired Lucia as
much as II was within his power 10
admire any one save his own punctil.
ious self.
He frownc,l rs he remembered the
existence ~ the child. Annabel Sil.
vester. and smiled when he recollectcd
that little Annabel was safely ensconc-
cd In French convent from which
she would not emerge for some time
Then he dismissed all dsagrecablc
thoughts with n dirt OF his cigarette
into the CRATE
IL was quite two weeks aftcrward
that Willoughby Jones Derrick dropped
into Mrs. Silvcsters for cup Of tea
The drawing room was empty. but bore
evidence of recent occupation.
THE ladies will he down immediate.
sir, said the obese butler
-Derricks brows were elevated
for brief instant and then crumpled
into frown lie had n beastly head.
ache aud did not feel like talking 10
lot Of chattering women: he needed La
cia's low. thrilling voice and quiet pres
ence 10 charm away his indlsposition
ITS only Miss Annabel. sir. ~.
planned Martin discrectly. "Shc just
arrove an hour ago. sir"
Willoughby stared haughtily ~ the
presumptuous mental. and when The
broad hack had disappeared with un-
dignifed haste he transferred his gaze
10 his hat
He felt that this unexpected intru-
sion OF little Annabel would prove an
obstruction to his present happiness
He would Impress II upon Lucia that
the child should be returned at
The door closed gently. and he lifted
mis- cold gray eyes and looked straight
into the great brown orbs of Anne
T.ange: Anne LANCE. grown beautiful
her red hair Softened 10 less obJec
tIonabe shade than when he had last
seen her IN paint stained holland
apron. Her creamy skin was gnililess III
its powdering Of golden freckles and
her perfect features rendered more cx.
quisite by the simplicity Of her couture
and the delicate beauty OF nor gown:
the same Anne Lange he had known
IN Paris. only not the same. The limo
cent confidence had gone from the eyes.
and only hard scorn remaincd-for him
0~f.- a - al. liz.