Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1874-10-21

my uncle, but the worst | feared wa,
that when Mrs. Kingsly returned sh,
might object to my claiming ownership
TO her child besides, to carry out m,
deeeptions, | must find wife as well a.
an infant, and Mrs. Kingsly was tho
only one could conveniently claim. -
The only difficulty was to get her con.
sent to the deception; and this might be
done if could but secure a private con-
versation with her before | introduced
her to my uncle. Then it would be all
right.
watched my opportunity and gained
an interview with her before she entered
s,ss5SnIni96 - . few brief an,
acting as ] apa 70 R@7itde one. | the
told her must find wife somewhere
and begged her to let me introduce he
in that capacity.
She laughed very heartily at the sug.
gestion, said she could comprehend my
difficulty, and consented to nv proposal
while she very roguishly warned me not
to presume upon the occurrence.
We then entered the parlor, and in
troduced her as my better half.
My uncle was very much pleased with
her, and complimented me upon nv
sense in the selection of wife.
Mrs. Kingsley, of course, colored
most charmingly at this compliment, and.
| could plainly see that she could hardly
refrain from laughing.
"fou have a fine boy here" said nv
uncle to Mrs. Kingsly, pointing to the
cradle
c- .sAhe said, oolorino
| was dumbfounded. / was cApogs :
in my iniquity. Would my uncle be
lieve me after this He looked from m
to the pretty landlady with a puzzleo
countenance.
=" our husband told me it was boy
ne said, and rather suspiciously too,
thought.
Well, / always took it for a boy
was my reply, putting on a bold face
but l suppose my wife knows best"
Here Mrs. Kingsley fairly screamed
with laughter and my uncle's stern face
assumed an ironical smile.
"You are a nice father, amt you 2
he said, touching me with the point Of
his umbrella, 'not to know the sex of
your own child. Why, l knew it was a
girl the moment looked at it,
"But, Charlie" he said, again, ad-
dressing me, ''what did you do with the
goblet and pap-spoon l sent the little
r~se | assure you,'' 1 re-
piled f1ave-takcn good care of themy''
eyes, bus where the deuce are they
l would like very much to take another
look at them"
"Well, have deposited them in {
bank for safe keeping but can readily
produce them-that is, in the course O
a weeks time
lie told me to do so, as he wanted tc
see them; and then | got out of tho
room, fearing he might ask me some per,
picking questions.
A short time afterwards Mrs. Kings
ly came to me whore | was alone in an
adjoining room, and | saw immediatel,
that something was the matter, for the
corners of her lips were breaking into
smiles.
''Do you know, sir, into what an
awkward predicamcnt you have got mc?''
she inquired, as she took scat on the
lounge by my side.
Explain yourself" said 1.
why, your uncle came to me and
asked to see my marriage certificate, and
said he had some money he wanted to
settle upon us Immediately, but wanted
to be sure that everything was right first. "
Did you expose me Y ! inquired,
anxiously.
No, sir, did not never enter
into deception, or anything else, by
halves"
was so clatcd that l could not with
stand the temptation Of embracing her.
This did not make her angry, for she
nestled her head cozily on my shoulder
and smiled .ercnely.