Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1921-07-09

showing her black haired little room.
mate that she did not need Phil Mars
dcn'S kindness. II was rs il witch
had given her charm TO ensnare
men. She had iiattercd Tony. II had
worked maryclously. She proceeded
To try the same method on the others
all but Phil. BY niglIifall the girls
began to regard her curiously. Then
they grew exceedingly friendly. When
they were dressing for dinner Alma
came into james room and again Of
frred her a beautiful evening dress,
this time rrseda green one with
iridcscent spangles like star dust.
Jane accepted 1t eagerly. For the
first time In her wholesome young
life She lOnged for look of admi-
raiion-in one mans eyes, whether
she had right TO 1t or not. She had
always known that II would happen
To her like that. that when love came
II would come blIndingly When
Phil MarSdcn smiled at her she felt
her thudding heart drawn right up
to mirror Itself In her happy eyes.
She made striking picture as she
went slowly down the long, curving
stairway. Three or four men were
in the hall below. Phil among them.
as she hoped he would be.
You know. you are the loveliest
girl have ever seen" he told her
when he had slipped her hand
through his arm and led her OFF TO
low. decp.cuShioned window seat.
"Why did you run away and leave
the today"
just then Jane caught sight of
Alma. regal in white satin and luS-
trous pearls She thought, reSentful
~ AT first. that Alma had always had
everything. II She could steal a little
happiness with this man. who was there
TO know? Then James quick sense of
the right and wrong of everything
came To her rescue and she put Satan
behind her with a matter of fact re-
joinder. Thereafter she avoided per
sonalitieS carefully. She talked of her
business. Of the beautiful pink mar
bic in the Mathews quarry. of the
price 1t was bringing on the market
of the price 1t would soon be bring
ing If the presidential election year
carried no money panic in its wake.
Within thirty minutes Phil Marsdcn
had given her the largest order for
marble that the Mathews Marble COM
pany had ever received. Business as
serted itself once more. Jane could
think of nothing else all during dinner.
She slipped away rs soon rs possible
and called Mr.. Mathews on long dis
lance. She was in Alma's little den
upstairs, and knowing that everybody
else was downstairs, she talked freely
about everything to her beloved old
employer.
IN be home in few days ear
icr than planned" she told him.
1--WE must get this marble right out.
will take all the office worries OF
OF your mind so that you can speed
up production in the quarry. Yes, he
is a splendid man. Phil Marsden is
his name. He is the junior member
OF Marsdcn X Son, architects. The
very incest man | ever knew There
was little singing note in her voice.
Then quietly, the Hit gone out Of it,
she added. lie is engaged to my
cousin. Alma"
She hung up the receiver and sat
there. staring blankly nj the walls
dim IN the mellow glow from many
shaded lights.
who j. engaged To Alma:" asked
Phil Marsdrn so abruptly that she
jumped.
"You." said Jane In a small. quak-
ing voice.
Then Phil Mar>,lrn did an unex-
pectrd thing He put his arms around
her and laughed. I'm not engaged To
anybody, Jane dear. but want to be,
to you. Al of my life have known
that the right girl would come just rs
YOU have. and that | would recognize
her instantly. As soon rs hoped
on The train this morning ! did not
see a soul on the platform but YOU.
Does all this sound foolish to you,
dear. or do you too believe in fate?"
IL was several minutes later that
Jane. remembering. looked NJ 10 say
happily, Think what our firm can
do for old Mr.. Mathews marble quar-
nv! WHY. YOU can just advise every
body 10 use marble can't You, Phil?"