Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-05-20

ment seat at the end Of one OF the
coaches, beside the brakeman's ian
tern. She sat with her face toward
the window.
She looked timidly through her veil
as passengers alighted at station that
lay midway of the journey from col
iege to her home because she was
fearful lest some one might seek to
share her narrow seat That was when
she saw Il tall masculine figure that
made the color mount high under her
tawny complexion. She was quite
sure II WIS Dalton Drew. Dalton Drew
was her brothers roommate In col
lege. and she had met him when she
was home IN Christmas vacation.
The worst of il was that Dalton had
told her the second time he met her
that she was the prettiest girl he had
ever known. and she had naivcly re-
piled that she was glad he thought so.
because she thought he was quite the
best looking man she had almost
ever seen. Now she knew she looked
Il fright, and she didn't want TO spoil
his impression.
She was aware. II few minutes later,
of the fact that this same masculine
| figure had passed and then repassed
her compartment With her face
averted toward the window she thought
he looked for "a few moments intently
ut her. She wore the same hat she
had worn on that day they went skat-
ing together. He would probably rec
ognize IL.
Therefore, when Dalton had passed,
she rose and went quickly TO the car
beyond. found another incOnspicuous
seat ut the end of the next car and sat
there. For an hour she rode In mlser-
able fear lest Dalton Drew should find
her, and breathed sigh of relief when
she alighted ut her home town. But
her relief lasted only until she saw that
Dalton Drew had also alighted.
Then she fed. actually running
around the station. and stood for a
few minutes in the lea Of the express
office, saw Dalton Drew approaching,
and fled again to the place where the
waiting taxis stood and jumped into
the first one that presented itself and
| gave her home address.
Some one hailed the cab. II was
Dalton Drew running beside 1t, but she
ordered the taxi driver TO drive fast
and not to stop. Then she was con-
scious that another taxi, probably with
Dalton Drew within. was driving be-
hind hers along the stretch of road
that led 10 her fathers suburban
home.
| Five minutes more and her taxi
came to an abrupt stop. The taxi
driver dismOunted and the pursuing
taxi stopped. too.
After few moments OF investiga-
ton the driver opened the door, told
her "he was plumb out of gas" ard
then she was face to face with Dalton
Drew, aho fairly lifted her TO his own
waiting TAXI, paid the driver Of the
disabled car and ordered his own
driver 10 proceed
Now" he said--and Polly was very
! glad that II was quite dark in the
taxi-"now will you tell me why you
| have been running away from me? ]
heard you were coming home. pestered
your brother until he found out what
train you We're going TO take" boarded
IL. discovered you and then realized
that you were trying to escape me.
Perhaps ought to take 1t all as proof
enough that you dislike me, that you
don't want 10 have things go on where
they left on M Christmas-but-wel
| I'm not 81 easily discouraged"
Il don't see what you mean." said
Polly. averting her face.
Il mean that the way you have treat
ed me only makes me more anxious 10
tell you that I'm mad about you, Polly
Saunders. ] didn't realize that you
found me objectionable" Then Dal-
ton Drew produced pocket fash light
from his pocket Don't turn from me
that way. Polly. ! want 10 see your
! face"
The flash flared bright in Polly's face
and Dalton leaned toward her.
Then Polly raised her veil Il think
you are perfectly hOrrid" she said.
Lock nj me, ii you want 10. and you'll
never say again what you said last
Christmas. oh, Dalton" she said now.
shedding real tears of self-pity. Il
used brown shoe polish and ii won't
come of. here-there-wasnt
real makeup man. and had TO do
something"
But before she had finished her ex-
PLANTATION poor little Pocahontas let
her iawny face rest on Dalton Drew's
shoulder.
III II never came or. I'd love you
just the same" he assured her.