The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1913-12-05

over the counter. / was n Europe
50 this interesting tack-aeIIer ran
down to Cape May every Sunday, and
stayed until Monday. Then he had q
clerks two weeks vacation, and he
spent that at Cape May. I came back
In 0cober, and before had been home
tWenty-four hours who should call at
the house but this young mani He
wanted to see me, and / saw him, and
was informed by him that he had
Hooed and won my ward. I asked II
he proposed TO take her to live over
the shop"
Mr.. Leigh's thin lips curled down.
ward; he glanced at the parson for
sympathy, but he encountered a steady
somewhat critical look.
why shouldn't they live oven the
shop" DR.. Melton said.
oh, you don't understand" Mr..
Leigh explained, fretfully, and she
ought to have some idea OF what is
proper and fitting. There has been a
terrible time. Why, | assure you
have had the sympathy of all Phila-
delphia. This hardware man had the
effrontery to say that he had money
enough to take care OF a wife. just as
though he had never thought of my
wards little fortune. lie begged me
to go and see his employers-pcople
| never heard of-and told him that
did not want their recommendations
I did not propose to hire a bookkeep-
or. He was Ingolent, and ! ordered
him out. Then she blaZed away at
me. the weak. infatuated girl. | tried
to reason with her; my wife talked to
her; my son-Yell, you see. my son
wanted to marry her, too. ana he
would have made just the husband for
her, but she told him IL he spoke to
her she would ask her hardware man
Morton would insult her==Ihe best
to protect her Think of it "a though
hammered man that ever lived"
And Morton Is very fond of ner.
he contlnued-sao fond of her, in fact,
that he is waiting like hero for this
to blow over. | think the farce Is
nearly ended. for the hardware man
became partner the other day in a
nall factory Or something Of lhat
SORT, and a week ago he sailed for
Europe. He vi have to slay a year.
Ifaseline for his firm. and when he
comes back--"Mr Leigh broke OF to
smile astutely and to drop the I'D
over his left eye.
4 don't exactly understand your
objections 10 him." said Dr. Melton
slowly. Does he drink or keep low
company"
No. answered Mr.. Leigh. but"
4 beg your pardon" said The doc
tor, interruntIng him. but ] want 10
speak In his behalf He must be in
dustrious, and no fool, aud prosper
Ing, or he would not have jumped in
10 this new position. | confess |
don't think you have made ont a clear
eaae or course you want to see
your son happy. but II she does not
love your son. that ends the matter.
And II she does love this other man.
and he Il honest and upright. Why
should he not have herr
lie Is not her equal laid Mr..
Leigh. You know In Philadelphia"
The parson rose up With stified
exclamation.
1t is warm in here" he said. i
want little fresh air. ! an not used
n n furnaee-heated house. Poor girl
The city has not yet claimed me for
IT. own. and I miss the Fireplace In
ny old study. Poor fellow
lie threw up the window. and look
I'd out on : vide expanae Of tiny
high fenced back yards. but over
head was the clear sea Of ~. where
the moon rode It an anchor amid the
fleet OF starE lie stood there. draw
Ing In the crisp December air. until
= tap sounded on the door. Come
n. no cried. md one o. h daugh=
ters entered-=a tall, slim girl With her
fathers blue eyes.
Papa" she said. pressing close To
him, and smiling mysterioualy. there
are some people In the parl0T."
"Drawine-room. my deaf said the
doctor. We are In Philadelphia.
We are not, but no NATTER she re-
turned. 4 tell you there are some
people IN the narlor. and think II is
our first town wedding. She Is very
pretty and she has on the loveliest
little bonnet you ever saw. 90 marry
en- quick. and let me be Hitheas.
only they have Two witnesses with
them"
lie passed hIs arm about hei aud
kissed her. she did not know Why
then led her 10 his guest.
"Mollie, this Is a classmaIe Of mine.
Ny daughter. Mr. Lelgh-Mr. Harvey
Leigh, OF Philadelphia. Yon must ex-
ense me for : few minutes
He went Into the adjoining parior
Yes, II was = Heddlng-partg. no doubt.
but the wouIdzbe bride and groom did
not look like The brides aud grooms
that seek out 4 parson In such a fash
lon. The man vas gentleman, with
fine face and dignified bearing. The
girl was pretty. but more than that.
she had an air Of courage. Of gelf-re-
lance; she was not a weak piece of
pink and white flesh. N older
couple was With them. aome what
frightened mI1dle-aged nm and a
very nervous middle-aged woman, evil
IDENTIFY his wife. for she elung to his
arm helplesslY.
I am William Dunbar said the
young man. The parson shook lands
With him. And this" he added. turn
Ing to the young lady. Is Miss Kate
Perry. We are both of age--in fact.
I am thlrty-three=-and hope YOU VIII
be good enough = marry ns."
Mr.. Dunbar vas very much In ear
nest, but he smiled little. Our
marriage Is sudden" he added, be
cause / must. sail for Europe to-mor-
row, andI Haht TO take n Nifs with
me-"
The paraon looked ut hin. tlisn at
the girl. Her eyes met hIz steadily.
though a faint flush stole into her
cheeks.
Where Is your homer he asked
I have none she answered. Il
have neither father nor mother. | have
been living IN Philadelphia with my
guardien.n The words we're spoken