Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1883-01-12

Duhss'n grew pale, and began in a
quick, harsh tone.
"If marriage was once a matter Of
necessity with me-"
oh oh, | did not know-bow could
= Pray. pray forgive me, she begged.
with tears Of real distress in her pretty
eyes. Ca, do not explain
Bat jack would explain. And some
how her sweet sympathy led him on
lfoIh one confession TO another. lie
shetched his early life of gay luxury
that Of wealthy and popular man
about town; the crisis in his fathers
affairs; the old man on the verge of
fuIn--and " insanity, for his losses
aHected lds eSon---distractedlv i'm
pIofing his sons assistance. "And.
"od knows, l could not help him" ="
Sud Dunstan, sadly. Il could speak
three languages l could ride and
shoot. | could hold my own at bill
Iards OF pool, but l knew nothing of
business. and was up TO my ears in
DEBT, and So"
And so--.Iack had married woman
some twelve !cafs his senior, whose
lntatuation for him was an open Sc
cret' and her money had paid his debts
and wound up his fathers business
honorably.
81 tried 10 do my duty to Fer." added
Jack simply, "and She was )ondcr of
me than l deserved. But she knew.
and every one t1few. that I married
her for her money, poor thing"
"lf she loved YOU and YOU were kind
70 her, | do not see that she was so
much to be ptied," said his fair com
panion. earnestly.
Then Dunstan tool her hand, CRATE
fully. The young lady blushed lie
kissed it. She blushed deeper.
Will you not tell me-" he asked,
gently, "how you ever came in such a
position as this?"
Oh! for some probable and touching
excused But it is hard for girl to col
lect her thoughts when handsome
and interesting man persists in holaihg
hor hand and looking into her lace,
,.articuIar1y if she is not used 10 lyliiS.
~ am curious, I admit Besides. I
Should like to help you if you viii
allow me. Can you not confide in me?"
he urged.
At her wits end, she broke out, con
fusedly; Let widow at an early
age"
"a widow? YOU"
Certainly. Why not?" defantly,
with six small children and
oh,--and an aged mother dependent on
me. | was ready to fall into the com
pany's plans. OF course they pay me,
and if--if-I had suited you, my future
would have been assured. But, believe
me, now that l know of your early
sacrifice, | will be no party to forcing
YOU into a second loveless marriage"
Dunstan had preserved an amused
and incredulous silence; but to her
last words, which seemed chose Of
truth and soberness," he answered,
softly
"Will you not
do not think so poorly of me. Be
sides, if you went to law about it, l
am sure you would win your suit.
81 shall not go to law about it, he
said, slowly. "I am thinking of ac-
cepting the company's terms
"Will you authorize me to tell the
president so:" eagerly.
IF you are tatisfed as far as you
are personally concerned.
81 am not personally concerned at
all"
What"
Surely you remember that YOU
distinctly refused me. Please move
from the door, Mr.. Dunstan; l wish
to 60 out
Not until You explain this comedy
You have been playing"
There was a pause.
We'll hesitating, elf / must con.
Tess, the president of this company is
my father. was in his private office
when your affair was discussed.
Wagered a gold bangle that | would
get you to agree to his terms. Now
you are angry--l wish ! had not tolC
YOU Oh, don't stare at me so. vol
make me nervous. did not think vol
would take it like this. DO speak tc
me. | only did it for a Joke 70,
must admit the situation was funny
ohe laughed to think of it, and ther
there came little sob in her voice
But would not have hurt your feel
ing for anything"
y GU have done worse than that.
SAID Dunstan, speaking at last.
BAH You are not in love Will
me-"
Il am not so sure of that. All. VIII,
aid You let me think you might be m,
wife2"
! The young lady stood with downcas
eyes, finishing and paling.
III | have done wrong" she fal
tered.
You will try to repair it, viii yor
not You will give me a chance 0
winning you-unless, indeed, you ar
engaged, or feel sure Won can neve