Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1883-03-02

take!
Rick" 'l'''' ! '"ii iea'e
bornly. P"' ''''
Daisy. f'''''
Have /? There's no use arguing.
it's got 10 he one thing or the other.
l want wife in my home and if Won
won't e me maybe there are others
that will. Sweetheart, say that YOU
care to- much for me to send me
away"
On, halph, You must wait"
Ralph muttered an unpleasant word
and duIig away without goodnight.
An steady step came down the
path.
"Lpf for me, Rick" Daisy
tried u ak cheertully
M away" Rick spoke wildly.
"You q out with Ralph; youM
go off M i'm next You're tired Of
me, anu1 it do better than to make
an end self. I'm going the straight
Dai Kew herself before the gate.
she cluds to him, pleaded with him.
Half crGgod as he was, Rick was in no
condition TO 60 back to Tie village inn
and the rough crowd which would he
gathered thero at that hour. But all
of a drunken mans obstinacy was
aroused, and while they stood thus
there came again the roll Of wheels
that were checked suddenly, and Dr.
Lloyd sprang down as he took in that
scene at glance
Go into tho house, Richard" he
commanded, and Rick. without word,
obeyed. I'm give linn a powder" :"
said the doctor to Daisy. You must
sleep yourself tonight" He stood
talking with her after he had seen
Rick safely in his room. $50 he has
had the pistol again. Well, don't
think that r"ed alarm you; Rick isn't
one to d. hilqself any harm. lie has
been sly enough to hide it again, or
would t the possession OF it. lie is
never viciN' toward you:"
"Oh, No, never"
"Not cUitelrute enough for that,
muttered the doctor, as he took his
leave, and Daisy slept peacefully after
her trout
She did not really believe that Ralph
meant wbathe said, nut he seemed de
termincd after that to visit his dis
/ pleasure upon her. Miss Winter came
back from her walk next day with hel
hands ffus Of ferns.
$50 Al Armstrong isn't your en-
gagged Icfer after all?" she re
marked t Daisy 81 would have beer
flirting wGh hin before this if | hadn'
supposed belonged to YOU"
"FE NJ Oh, Miss Winter Y
"H, II bad ham, at the pastim
hiasys is exerci, sed Miss Winter, cooll.
Ns;....>As.>ss ssalt lt,sll l,ea
oef . ,.gaed, and liked Ralp
none ttiys becajlse he seemed on th
point I Asserting his little whit
Daisy fol her.
Rick had avoided the lOdger fror
the first. 1t was a revelation to Dais
when shecame upon him one day holl
ing crEshed flower which Miss Winte
had worn. He had not been near the vi
lage for days. Languid and spiritles
be had crept about the house or laiI
in the long grass with d look ON hi
face which went to his sisters heart
She understood it now as she saw hin
lift the fallen flower and just touch i
with his lips.
81 have been mad enough for that
Daisy-tO fall in love with her. Anc
if had not thrown away my owl
manhood | need not now be in despair
That is the bitterest thought Of all
"lt is not too late to be true 10 your
self yet. Rick"
She had little hope that this new
feeling might work some good in him
but before the week was over he had
broken bounds again, as if determined
to bury regret in oblivion
Meanwhile the time came for Miss
Winter to return to the city, and she
sent for Ralph, who had promised to
drive her to the station He came
with his light carriage and mettled
horse, looking neither sorry Dor cast
down, Daisy observed with thrOb of
the heart.
lie isn't false, then; he'll come
lack to me again when She is gone.
Rick had been at the village. He
was on his way home when, at some
distance away, he saw the carriage
standing at the parsonage gate.
Ralph and Miss Winter were lust
taking their places in it, the minister
stood on the steps. and the curious
face Of servant looked down from a
carret window. AS Ralph settled
down in his seat his glance fell upon
that shambling figure by the roadside,
and he gave vicious cut with his
whip. The spirited horse started with
a plunge, a buckle snapped, and then
the next instant his driver hal lost all
control over him.
Rick had taken in the scene which
his eyes rested on and a sudden still
ness went over him.
They've been getting married - he
said to himself, aghast. Been get
ting married, and he has cheated
Daisy. But he shan't get away so
easy as that"
His brain was clouded with liquor;
some blind impulse of rage and re-
yenge moved him, and lis fingers
cla'ped and brought out the weapon
which he sometimes carried. They
were close upon him now; he lifted his
hand and fred-at the horse. there is
every reason to believe, for there was
dangerous embankment near. toward
whlca The runaway was heading. But
be missed his mark and the next in
stant the steelshod l,oofs were tramp
ling him down.
a little further on and the carriage
was wrecked. Ralph Armstrong was
picked up bruised and senselesS: his
newiy-made bride was de d, a bullet
in her heart, and fl lther back was a
pulpy mass beaten down in
the aust. that groaned when they
to4cheu II, bat was beyond human