Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-05-14

IT, 1921. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate)
Gavi> stopped abruptly when he
saw ~" man and girl in the balcony.
He swung about and blindly found his
way through the dancers until he came
to n quiet. unused card room, where he
could hc alone.
lie lighted cigarette, but did not
smoke The picture he had seen in
the balcony Latimcr fitting Il ring
upon Gracia Moorc's slim tingcr-had
frozen his face into a stern mask,
while his heart thumpcd in AN odd
way From his pocket he extracted
a small jewel case and, pressing a
spring. his panied eyes were dazzled
by the brilliance of the splendid dia-
mond he had chosen for Gracia If she
should accept him He had waited
until tonight because. in the crowded
house, there would be many quiet
nookS-he had just arrived and he was
too latc-Dick Latmer had won her !.
Yet, he had been so sure of her love
and she had fooled him. Well, she
should never know the hurt he had
received
The door opened and his host ap-
reared and dragged him out to the
ballroom to swell the thin ranks Of
dancing men. This will never do
old man." said Whyte. There are
rows of wallfowers whiting in the
shade-just hear that orchestra! Go
TO IT,"
Gavis smiled wryly and found n
partner. She danced cXquisitcly, but
he felt no thrill in the touch Of her
hand or the nearneSs of her fluffy hair.
So he danced several times. and at
last he went To Gracia, who sat in n
deep chair, for once unattended. Her
sweet face was quite pale and her
darl. blue eyes were little frightened
as she lifted them to his stern face.
She managed to smile when she
gave him her card and with his keen
eyes scanned ii eagerly. Latimer's
name was down for two dances
there were other initials Scrawled
here and there and several blank
spaces.
Il saved several for you" she said
gently.
II was latc-too late" he remarked,
scratching his initials in the blank
spaces.
In moment they were weaving
through the maze of dancers. All
the old-timc witchery possessed GaviS
now that she was with him. She was
so different from the other girls-there
could never he another one in the
whole world TO fill her place when she
married Dick Latimer. His heart
thuddcd in rhythm To the music. She
smiled once and shook her head at
Dick Latimer rs they passed him in
the dance.
You are very quiet" she ventured
after while
II am sorry he apologized. I'm
afraid am rather duh fellow after
all. Gracia"
NO. oh. no. Bob she said little
hreathleSsly. Just think of the bril-
liant speeches you have made in court.
Perhaps you have had IA busy day and
do not feel like chattering 10 women.
Listen, the orchestra is playing some
thing you love"
He bit his Zip fiercely as they
swayed TO the dreamy waltz music
Something he loved :" Did she guess
that the only thing he loved was going
from him to another mans arms;
Perhaps she did know all women were
deCeivers he could and would
talk. He cleverIy led her from one
topic To another In the brief pauSes be-
tween dances and at last he resigned
her 10 Dick Latimer, who claimed the
supper dance Bob Gavis made sew
eral swift decisions in the interval.
He sought and found his host
"Whytc." he said. "'you We're talking
about a hunting trip to Canada-is the
party compete?"
"Not without YOU" returned the
other promptly.
Thanks. When are you golng;'
TUESDAY"
Good. Count me in" and Gavis
went away unsmillug.
When he reached his bachelor apart
mcnt he did not go TO bed. hut spent
the hours overhauling his hunting gear
and packing his outfit fer tie eXpedi-
item After a cold tub and brisk
walk downtown he prepared To argue
an important case which had been
pending for some time.
Two days afterward he met Latimer
on the street. Congratulations :"
cried Dick
BohS eyebrows went up.
winning YOUR case. explained Lat
liner chcerfuly. "WiSh You luck, old
man. when II comes to matrimonial
cases :" lie went away chuckling, ana
GayiS realized that he was beginning
to dislike Dick. Once they had been
very good friends. hut since Gracla-
he squared his shoulders and tried to
whistle The North woods would cure
all thar. he told himself
lie WAS wrong. after all. The woods
allcvlaicd his pain, hut II did not cure.
He heard the voice of his love in the