The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1926-11-12

go away together in the next sea cap
tain's boat that touched at Inch rock.
Mazda listened with beating heart
while he told her of his home In the
Canaries, of his father, who would
never reject the choice his son made
Of bride; Of the tropical trees and
palms In that island paradise.
So three nights and days passed.
The young man had recovered from
his injury. And they ever planned
the method Of breaking the news to
the crazed old woman above.
Mazda feared her mother no longer.
She seemed to have tinfolded from
girlhood to womanhood In those three
days; and, as If sensible Of 1t, her
mothers demeanor toward her had
insensibly altered.
On the fourth night the mild air and
a brilliant moon tempted them from
the cellar Above, they knew the old
woman would be seated, as she al
ways sat. beside the light, thinking
of what MAZDA never knew. 1t was
safe if they kept under the tower.
They wandered on together, and her
lovers arm sought Maida's waist and
held her, and their lips met In a happy
kiss. Insensible Of the passage OF
time, they wandered on.
Suddenly a slight noise startled
them. Before them stood Maida's
mother, frantic with rage and grief.
She shook her fist at Mazda and bab-
bled incoherently.
"Come, mother" said the young
man, Il own we played you an unfair
trick, but 1t wasn't my fault that !
should have got washed ashore upon
an island where the dearest girl In
the world lives"
AYE, you've stole her from me"
sobbed the old woman. "But I'll hold
her. I'll kill you both first. I'll burn
the tower and YOU"
Nov, mother, be sensible" pleaded
the young man, laying his hand on
her arm "You haven't thought that
Mazda would grow up to womanhood
some day, that marriage is her right,
as love is. You haven't created her
rightly"
"Rightly" cried the old woman.
what right has girl In the world
today? Who is there to care for her
except her mother? Listen to me, and
I'll tell you something that not even
Mazda knows.
tsVnrsI1 1ovv oh md VUhnvA foil
you that in my day was the belle
of my native town, not many miles
from here. Among all my suitors
there was just one gave my heart
to. He was handsome oh, yes, he
was handsome. was just a girl, and
/ didn't know that the young, quiet
Englishman, whom | laughed at, be-
cause he was afraid to look me in the
face, was worth twenty Of my false
lover. I trusted him.
HE was coming back to marry me
very soon, and so nobody need know.
And I had faith in him-the faith a
girl has. AndI waited, and he never
came. And the folks found out my
shame, and where everybody had
sought my company was despised
and outcast, and had nobody, nobody
at all to ask advice of before Mazda
was born. That's the sort Of chance
girl has. And now you know, do
you still want MAZDA. knowing what
she is?"
Mazda shrank back, hardly under
standing the passion Of bitter mem
DRY that dashed her mother, but the
young man drew her to him.
II do" he answered.
II learned too late what false hearts
men have" continued the mother.
There was just one that stood by
me-the young Englishman who had
loved me. He wanted me still, he
wanted to care for Mazda. But I
couldn't let him. knew it would be
pity and not love. So I came here. ii
there's another man alive like him I
might trust my girl to him, but to
none other. And there could be only
one Geoffrey Hale in the world"
The young man. who had listened
attentively, started and then sprang
forward.
'.My father!" he cried. you are
Louise Troy. He has often spoken of
you. Look at me, mother. Don't you
see my fathers face in me?"
Incredulously the old woman seized
him by the shoulder and stared into
his eyes. Suddenly mask seemed to
fall from her face.
II have-lived for this day." she
said solemnly. BE good to her.
Ii"
He caught her as she stumbled for
ward. But he knew that having her
day, she could rest peacefully till her
night ended.