The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-12-09

WIFI NGAullOu.
"My cousin Grace? ?" she cried "No, in
deed We are not-in trader
What possessed her to utter this deliberate
falsehood, Medora could not afterward have
told. Partly the sting of false shame, partly
Discrimination for Mr.. Herbert Valance to
know that her relations were not to use her
own expression, "ladies and gentlemen"
Mr.. Valance looked up at the sign over the
door.
"The name is May" he said, indifferently
Eyes" said Medora, angry at herself for
blushing so deeply, "but we are no relations"
Mr.. Valance thought over the matter; af
terward he had met Miss May at an evening
party given by a friend, where pretty Grace
Craxall was also present. he had taken
rather a fancy to the bright blue eyes and
delicate blonde beauty of the former Val
ance Hall on the hill just out of the city was
solitary enough, now that his sisters had all
married ana gone away, and perhaps man
might find less attractive and graceful wife
than Medora May, But,-he could not be
mistaken, he thought, in Grace CraXalps
identity
And so, the next evening, at about the
same time, he sauntered into the shop.
Grace was behind the daintily clean little
counter, taking some newly baked maple car
amels off the pans She looked up with a
smile.
"Good evening Mr.. Valance" said she.
ESQ.," he thought, 81 wasn't mistaken,
after ALL And the little blueeycd seraph is
mortal enough to tell a lie in spite of her
angelic appearance!)
But he looked serenely at Grace.
81 did not know that you were in trade"
said he.
Didn't you? "Wel," merely retorted
Grace, II am my aunt Deborahs shop-girl
Just at present | always come here in the
evenings to help her. Because" she added,
with shade of seriousness coming over her
face, aunt Debby was old and poor-and
she didn't quite know how to maintain her
self in independence. And unfortunately my
wages at the factory are not enough for us
both So advised her to open this business.
And she did And she's doing very WE'LL
And she bakes the most delicious bread and
pies you ever ate, so," with a saucy twinkle
under her eye-lashes, "if you know of any
customers, will you please recommend our
FIRM"
ITO be sure l shall" he answered, in the
same spirit. "And | am very glad, Miss
Craxall, to see that you are not ashamed of
being working girl"
"Of course am not" said Grace "Why
should l be-"
"But your cousin Medora is"
Grace gave little shrug of her shoulders.
every likely" said she. "Medora and diff
fer in many things"
Mr.. Valance bought pound of caramels
and went away.
"She is beauty" he said to himself
"And she is sensible beauty into the bar
gain One Of those-lura driSes in our cOun-
try, thoroughly well.balanced girl"
He must have been very well pleased with
his purchase, for he came again the next eve
ming Just in time to walk home with Grace
Craxall. And talked over Aunt Deborah's
affairs, and concluded that as flour was low
Just then, it would be favorable opportuni-
ty for the old lady to lay in her winters
stock through Mr.. Valance, who was ac-
quainted with one of the great New York
grain merchants
Only few weeks had elapsed, when Me-
dora May was electrified with amazemcnt to
learn that her cousin Grace was engaged"
"To some master baker, or journey
confectioner, | suppose" said she, contempt
uously.
mo" said Grace, with eyes roguishly
sparkling, ito Mr.. Herbert Valance"
Observation-Disclosures said Mcdora, grow
ing red, then pale.
"But it's really so" said Grace. "And we
are to be married in three months. And
Aunt Debby is to come to the Hall and live
with me, as soon as she can dispose of her
business to advantage And, dear Medora,
hope you will often come and visit me
| there"
Medora May did not answer. She could
not. But in her secret heart she recognized
how infinitely more successful in life's list
had been Graces true, frank honesty than
| her own subtle and devious course
Like many another, however, the lesson
| had come to her too late