Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1883-05-18

before sne could prevent me- had -
caught hold Of her hand and smoth- J.
cred II with kisses.
spent several hours with the lovely
widow and saw--clearly ssw--that !
only little time was wanting 10 en- &
able me to gain her affections, and then
| bade her adieu, extorting a promise
that she would not communicate my
arrival to Mrs. Gorden, and that. when !.
/ called at the court. she would see
me alone, that might have an oppor-
tunity Of telling her what had passed :
between my uncle and myself. =
When Iarrived at my uncle's found
him in a very badtemper, as he had ex-
pected me the day before, and matters =
were not mended when / mentioned -
frankly the misgivings ] had on the !,
score Of domestic happiness.
Domestic flddlesticks" cried he.
What more would you have than ~
good estate and good wife--a healthy J
woman TO boot, come of long-winded
race, and as likely as not to lay you
beside my old friend Gorden She is
grandmother already. Doesn't that :.
look well? You do not think her too
young?"-and the old gentleman
grinned, while gave vent to a spas
modic exclamation Then what dis
turbs you about her-more especially i,
when you tell me that there is a va
cancy i'll your hearth But here comes
letter from the court" and tearing
open large, old-faslkoned-looking !.
Y,rnaonfaI &c, hir,, hr,.
he read as follows:
MY DEAR RI am told thstycu- g
nephew has arrived, and, as he has
been reported upon favorably by one
who saw him Yesterday, and on v hose
taste and Judgment can rely, ! am :
tempted to say, with the frankness of
my character, that | shall be happy to
make his acquaintance. am truly
grateful for the many obliging things
| am told he said of me, and ! hope
one day or other he will find them all
realized. My dearest grandchild sends
a kiss to you both; and, with best re-
CARDS, remain, as usual,
"GRANDhoTHER GoRDEE.
There p cried the old gentleman,
with odious triumph. There is a
spirit for you Why, you dog, you will
be as happy as the day is long,
scarcely heard him, for my thoughts
were brooding bitterly over the treach-
cry of the beautiful widow. She had
broken her promise, and she had rem
dered my position thousand times
more embarrassing by persuading the
wTetched grandmother that ] had been
such an ass as to say complimentary
things about her age, uglinesS and in
frmities. 1t was clear that she was
jilt, that she had only been laughing at
my admiration, and that she was now
| determined 10 extract further amuse
ment from my calamities. resolved,
however, TO die game; and, telling my 81
uncle that, though well acquainted
with Mrs. Gorden from report, de
sired to see her personally before de-
ciaing. myself on horseback
and galloped straightway 30 the court.
1t had been my intention to ask for
| Mrs. GOrden, but the willy widow was !
on her guard, for, as the door opened, I
heard her call to the servant in her
silvery tones SHOW the gentleman in
here;" and in another minute / stood
once more in the presence of the un-
known of the forest. | found her
more beautiful, better dressed and
younger-lOoking than she had appeared
the day before, and, as 1 saw with
keen appreciation the treasure | was
about to lose forever, my resentment
died away, and deep grief teok its
place.
You forgot your promise" said ],
you make sport of my misery"
what could have said when
questiOnedp' inquired sbe,Fsweetly.
"But what misery do you aHude to-
the misery of marrying a grand
mother? ?"
Yes-when my heart is devoted TO
another. But it is needless to talk to
you; you are rs incapable of passion
as statue. You could never have
loved even your husband r -
You are in some gree wrong
still, was so young when was mar
ried-only sixteen--that looked upon
my husband more as a guardian than
a lover. ] was not quite seventeen
when ! became mother"
"Is it possible? That is not great
while ago"
Greater than you perhaps suppose;
for a sound constitution and salubrious
air are apt to lead to mistakes. Would
you take me TO be well on toward
thirty-fveP"
What became of your childH" cried
l, suddenly.
I'VE all married young In our
family" replied the widow, hanging
her head. at was my daughters
infant" she continued, looking up at
me with the most beautiful blush that
ever lit the cheeks of girl, which
you restored 10 me yesterday from
among the daisies and Duttercups, and
| am Grandmother GOrden"