The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-02-25
Continued from last week.


"Of course you couldn't understand
that" she said. mot unless you had
seen some poor girl bury her face In
crepe dc chine and lace, tremble to try
them on, and then sob because she had
to wear clothes over them"
Look here said MIR. Randolph,
shuddering at the pity of II: wen
pass on to the next, II you don't mind"
Curiosity comes next" resumed the
girl obediently. "A woman Is weak
until she knows everything. Then
comesa funny one that you won't I'M
derstand Mt all. It's called Because.
Because he had on n coat that re-
minded her of an old coat that man
she had loved used to wear"
My dear girl" protested Mr. Ran
dolph.
II said they weren't interesting"
she reminded him dspassionatcly Her
eyes wldened. "And now" she con
tnued, 1--WE go up and up-spite that
slabs its own heart the lonely soul
consuming fire, and, last and greatest
reason Of all, just love" Her eyes
glowed TO some distant focus. III an
myself, my honor, my past. and my
future dissolve TO the single drop ~
present moment In The crystal cup OF
love, then let me give myself 10 .
lovers lips for once drained nothing
Will be left upon which to hang the
badge Of shame-nothing remain IN
all the world but the spirit and-and
the sacrifice"
Girl" said Mr. Randolph. crushing
her 10 him MS though he snatched her
back from just beyond his clasp.
where Is your mind wandcrlngf What
have you been thinking? Tint / was
asking you TOTO give yourself 10
me?"
Her eyes came suddenly 10 his fnce.
yes" she said; 81 thought that"
He stared at her for a long silent mo-
ment, his lips wayering ucryously be-
tween pity and severity \ flush
swept over her face, aud into her eyes
crcpt look OF fear you don't want
me?" she whispered; then. as he dld
not speak: kiss me- ! wish YOU 20
kiss me-"
There was something IN her insist
encc TINT clutchedg nj his hpnri and
bent him forward ale drew her hcad
M slowly to meet his lips ami kissed
her as lightly, as impcrsonally NJ
brother ever saluted sister, but mr.
more fearfully Immediately hcr body
went limp IN Ills arms. turned 10
dead weight Of uninspircd flesh.
at Is true she murmureA. Gcs.
perately. you don't really want me
and ! can never love you now
Randolph awoke TO that still rry
He shook her seized her head IN both
his hands, ana forced her eyes ia meet
the blaze In his.
"You generous. careless. adorable
little fool he growlcd. "Why. You're
the most desirable and precious bundle
OF luvablc charm that rubbcr man
ever trembled 10 hold IN sacrilcgiOus
arms :"
She stared At him amazed.
why don't YOU kiss the way you
TALK she demanded.
Because there's no reason FOR vour
desperate barter my denr lmogcne
Pamela Thornton"
In one 1.-the motion she was out NJ
his arms, on her feet, back 10 the fire.
head upthrown.
How dare you--how dare you call
me by that name" She was trans.
formed her eyes flashed with such a
light as made the blaze I'M his own n
paltr'y thing. ''Do you think She would
lie in your armsI' She asked. culuing
out the words, "Viylcnne yiyicrrc"---
her lips curled in dlstaste Mt the name
--"ah, yes; poor dcspairing thing But
Pamela Thornton oh, WHO are
you? Why did your She dropped
her face in her hands and sobbcd as
though her heart had broken.
Randolph did not leap TO comfort
her this time; he did not even watch
her. With his eyes on the edges Of
fire that peepcd from between and
round her ankles, he began to talk.
81 knew YOU knew Sport | knew
Maggie. Just once met yon oil and
I've never forgotten. ! couldn't" lie
smiled crookedly. "You and sat down
so hard together and YOU cried OUT.
My, what bump" and laughed ana
laughed--just like tonight. back there
at the stage-door OF the Crocodile"
Pamela stopped crying.
$50 you were that awfully nice
boy" she said, disclosing tear-stalned
cheeks and looking him over as though
she were Interviewing long list Of
nointsaof deterioration.
Robert Hervcy Randolph, six feet
tall, freckled-nosed, open-faced blue.
eyed and broad shouldeTed. looked up
at her almost appealngy as II his
whole sum and substance were cryinc
out TO he appraised al face value but
no less.
"That's me-" he said vapidly. my
name Is Robert Hervey Randolph.
Some people call me Bob, some
HerY, and the sldey ones say