Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1881-03-11

knew how II would be. He thinks 1tH
80 strange that haven't said anything
about paving him for his attendance on
Nudge and Edie when they had the
scarlet fever. But he doesn't know how
poor We arei And he doesn't know.
how should he ?-that was going to
his office this very week, to ask him for
the bill, and try and save up the
amount, little by little until / had
amassed the sum. Oh, dearl oh, dear,
what am to do2o
She laid ont the children's rations on
the tohle-a bowl of milk. and two lib
efal slices of bread for each--and eau
tioning them not to go near the fire
which smolderCd in little cast-iron
stove-went to her daily work with
heart which felt like lead within
her bosom.
Mary Reid was talking, in her high,
soprano voice, about the valentine She
mad received. Leila Payne and Sarah
Howell We're giggling over gilt-and-
tosseled cpistles, directed in masculine
hands, but Lily went straight to the
forewoman.
Mrs. Dobbs," said she, "can you
lend me ten dollars ?"
y said the forewoman, in sour
surprise.
Il need it very very much," said
poor Lily; "and if you will give it to
me to-day this very afternoon, mean
i will pay you my next two weeks en-
tire wages II cvsss,ss i.s-sssssl tiraus vow.
know, viii be twelve dollara.H
Mrs. Dobbs did little mental arith-
metic in the recesscs of her brain, as
she stood there staring with fshy eyes
on Lily Vennor.
Yes, the interest was not so bad. She
thought it might "pay;" and SO she
lent the ten dollars for term of four
teen days, Sundays and holidays inclu
ded.
And Lily, mastering up what cour-
age she could stopped at Doctor ngra-
hams office, on her way home from
work.
81 won't give him the trouble to
call" said she to herself; " for, OF
course, it will be disappointment to
him to know that he can't get his whole
bill. But | will tell him l will pay the
rest as soon as ever l can. And | hope
he won't be very much vexed; for, oh,
he was so good to me when the little
ones were sick p
Poor Lily Vennorl None but the
children Of poverty can ever realize the
agonies of distress and modification
which their wretched class have to en-
dure as a part of their inevitable fate.
Doctor Ingraham's pretty little gig
was at the door when Lily went into the
office, and Doctor Ingraham himself
stood at the table, in his fur u-trimmed
coat, pouring some mixture from one
vial into another, a tall dark man, with
eyes as black as sloes, and a beard as
long and as soft as floss silk.
He glanced up with smile as Lily
entered, and something like a flush 81
color crossed his dariS ei.~~a- ~
I" Sit down, Miss Vennor," said he
% 1 am just through with my visits for
the present. In five minutes L shall be
ready for Office practice"
Lily had turned pink and white, by
turns, as she grasped the ten-dollar
gold piece tightly in the palm of the
hand within her worn little mutt
I'll will not detain you long" said
she; and she waited until he had pre-
pared the pharmaceutical compound,
and sent it out by his man.
And now ?" he said standing oppo-
site to her, with folded arms and q
height that seemed to her positively
commanding.
q received note from you," she
said, this morning.
Yes; and why Gid you not wait fol
me to call q he asked, quietly.
was ashamed to put you to the
trouble, said Lily, in a low voice. g.
knew, of course, the object of you
call"
did you ?"
He elevated his brows slightly.
} i" And l knew very well that | hat
? not the money for you," she added, il
desperation. " But here is ten dollars
| and if you will please let me know th,
= whole amount, [ will endeavor to pay i
, in installments, as best l can"
/ " You are mistaken, Miss Vennor,
said the doctor, quietly. .....l g Ny .motiy
with the collection of my bill"
} Lily looked at him with eyes of blue
: innocent surprise. She did not under
II had question to ask you," sal
t the doctor.
' "About the children
D About yourself"
+ CA question ?' she repeated, vaguely
Yes" he said and Will ask
e now, Miss Vennor In those week
4 when | came daily to your house an,
e saw you stand like ministering angel
g at the bedside of those little ones,
t made up my mind that you of al
I women, came nearest to my ideal Q
sweet, womanly perfection. And
vowed within myself to ask you to b
: my wife. So now, Miss Vennor-Iil
you know why | was coming I"
1t seemed like a dream of unrea
t bliss to Lily Vennor-that homewar
walk through the twilight, with Bruc
L Ingraham's arm to support her-hi
beloved presence so near to her. Sh
y had been a toiler in life's shadow eve
e since she could remember but she wa
coming into her heritage Of happines
!. at last.
Little Midge and Edith were lookin
out for her, over the stairway, as sh
S came home.
cts Lily" cried Midge, in a
!, audible stage whisper 'Our Lily
4 But she isn't alone. There's some on
/, with her. Oh, Edie, 1 guess it's he
e valentine Old Mrs. Norris SAYS tina
every one has valentine to-day
n You dear little prophet . erie
7 Doctor 1ngraham, catching up the chill
:. IN his arms. " You are right 1T
Q Lilys valentine"
n " Doctor Ingraham I" said Edith
e slowly Well, if l was to choose
valentine ont of all the world for Lily
, should say Doctor Ingraham !"
= And Lily, in voice that was almos
q whisper, added,
So should Il"
4 Grand Showing for the South.
M tha -.