Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-07-02
A Ne~-.
Happiness
By ROSE MEREDITH.

was seated at her own desk In u corner
Of her fathers library and she rose to
greet him with outstretched hands and
an amazing color IN her fair cheeks.
Are you very busy?" he asked with
mock anxiety.
YES, indeed. but not too busy to be
glad to see you. There's the telephone.
Excuse me u moment, Bob"
She fitted across the room to the
telephone and Bob picked up the old
brown book and read the recipe: "Ye
Brides Cake" Just as he finished and
laid the book gently down Nancy came
flying across the ROOM her cheeks scar
let and her gray eyes stormy.
Why. you should not look at that"
she cried. "lt's-personal." She caught
up the book and her copy OF the recipe
and thrust them into drawer, which
she closed and locked with vigor In
spired by anger.
Il didn't realize that you would care
and. oh Nancy. darling, you don't
mean TO say that you object TO my do
ing it-why. | thought--thls very day
came TO ask you
Nancy was pale now. and one could
see the hidden fear behind the stormy
eyes--that is, any one save one who
loved her. Bob Everett saw only that
he had mortally offended the girl he
loved above all others. What was the
harm in his finding her with the copy
OF a recipe for brides cake-unless-.
His face whltened, too, and he stepped
back.
were copying" he said stfiiy and |
assume from your displeasure that
am not Interested" he foundered
helplesSly
''Interested?" NancyS tone was
freezing. Il am not engaged TO marry
you, Bob Everett,
THAT is not my fault" he declared
eagerly 81 came today. Nancy dar-
ling"
who gave you permission to adj
dress me- in that wuy?" asked Nancy
haughtily.
NO one-l ask your forgiveness, and
| will take myself away at once. I
didn't know that there was any other
man-that is, | didn't know you were
going To be married"
81 am sorry hesitated Nancy with
dropping eyes.
Let me wish you happiness--all the
JOY in the world" muttered Bob and.
snatching up his hat, he dashed ont IF
the room. out Of lnC house. out Of the
city aud he would have left the CONT
nent but his firm required his services
then for a hazardous trip into Mexico.
He started On this trip in logged.
hopeless way. resolved 70 put all his
thoughts Of Nancy Marsh away. To for
get all his dreams OF marryiDg her. but
Nancy had encouraged him and his
hopes had become firmly rooted
When Bob Everett had gone and the
front door had closed behind him with
a dun ech"ing sound Nancy stood pet.
ritrd AT the calamity she had wrought
in her own life II Bob had not seen
that foolish rccipc--if she had only
kept her head. controlled her nasty an
ger, she might have been engaged 10
Bob this very moment instead Of break
ing her heart about him.
But, She argued, how could she have
explained 10 him that Grandmother
Marsh. seeming an engagement in the
air. had sent her favorite granddaugb
fnr hat. .,u.,t ,.r..i.t,., t...t,.. l...t.
injuncli"ns 10 copy the recipe for max
ing the famous Marsh bridal cake,
And Nancy her heart and pretty
head full Of nothing but Bob Everett
and the mutual love which had not yet
been confessed openly-though Bob
had tried To propose to her several
times Nancy, dreaming of her mar
fiage 10 Bob had been caught copying
down the recipe and had denied all in
terest in Bob; had even allowed him 10
believe that she was going To marry
another man II was enough 10 make
any girl cry her heart out, Nancy grew
pale and thin and declared that she
wanted TO pay Grandmother Marsh
long promised visit.
We'll, my dear" said old Mrs. Marsh
ms they sat before the fire that evening
~ Nancy'> arrival how is my old IA
vorite, Bobby Evcrett:"
Il don't know" said Nancy in a qua
Yering voice
Tell me all about IT," said the old
lady tenderly, as She saw hot tears
falling on the ancient recipe book. So
Nancy put the book in the wrinkled
hands ana her own bright head in
grandmother's ample lap and sobbed
out the whole foolish story.
When she had finished Mrs. Marsh
patted the brown hook and laid II
aside Your grandfather used to call
that cake recipe our recipe for happi-
ness" she said quantity. "He de.
clared that the flour and eggs and
butter were the rich foundation Of hap
piness. blended skillfully and combined