Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1884-08-01

D0iole ne hdd gone bali way he met
hated rival, very fine fellow, whom
hehad oRly begun to hate in the last
three or four days, since he had noticed
that Miss Bracegirdle sometimes gave
BIN very charming and encouraging
glances Captain Fortescue walked on
slowly and listened for the confident
rat-a-tat-tat Of his rival. lie heard it,
listened and looked back. The door
| opened and the visitor instantly ad-
tynitted.
\ The unhappy man who had been
turned away from that same entrance,
sighed heavily and went away down
The sunny street, hanging his head.
-4le told himself that it would be only
fool or mailman who could pretend
to misunderstood so plain refusal as
this Perhaps it was meant kindly, he
/ thought, and groaned at the thought.
Miss Bracegirdle was no coquette, and
did not care TO have men offer her their
love when she had no intention of ac-
cepting it. He was 50 desperately
enamored of her that he busted himself
IN trying to see this cruel cut as kind
deel. His hopes were gone; but he
could not bear so suddenly to lose his
l0DI. IL Joforo,iDoJ 10 ,,,n,,Id not
worry her by his unwelcome presence
where she could not easily avoid him,
nor permit himself to be laughed at by
MS successful rival. So he excused
himself from certain engagements at
houses where he knew he should meet
her' lie gave up dancing and took to
cards instead.
"Mamma," " said Miss Bsaccgirdie one
day, doesn't it seem odd that for three
weeks Capt. Fortescuo has not called :"
1T does,' said Mrs. Bracegirdle; "and
yet, when ] come to think of it, we
nave not met him out Spywhere, either.
lssta.saass i,e ii. o.. n.e ere->.iisais- he lies
, gone out Of town lie will call when
he comes back"
This she said, noting that her daugh-
ter looked little pale and out of sorts.
But, secretly, she was uneasy herself.
Capt. FOrtescue al shown signs of
being so hot wooer that it seemed
very improbable he would leave town
without word to them. At the next
opportunity she quietly made some in
qulrles about him, and learned that
Capt FOrtescue was neither ill nor out
OF town. This was bad news, indeed;
for Mrs. Bracegirdle knew perfectly
well that her daughters heart was
seriously touched; and, as Capt. For
tescue was perfectly eligible" all had
promised fairly. Now that fair prom
lse was destroyed. There was nothing
to be done, except try, by other dis
fractions, to erase th impression which
captain Fortescue had made. Mrs
Bracegirdle devoted herself to her
daughter more tenderly than ever. and !
the girl understood her.
Amid all the gayety and the many |
engagements which came with every
aay' there was melancholy about the
mousse which had never been there
before 1t was impossible for them to
Danish it altogether. Even Master
Harry, cheerful youth of IA, became
aware of it at last, and declared his
SISTER was not half as jolly as she used
70 De- One day when his mother and
SISTER were taking quiet half hour
before dressing for dinner, he came into
'ne room carrying an umbrella.
4 say, mother, this umbrellas been
IN the stand for aaaonth. The fellow
- :. oseffssti-sA1s' ias forgotten all about
it expect; don't you think | might
have it?"
"lsn t 1t yours?' said Mrs. Brace
glrdle II gave you siIver-handled
one last year.
"oh' lost that long ago." replied
lhe youth coolly, "and l may as well
have this instead It's like mine. but
ever so much more sweller. There's a
name engraved on it; but could have |
That scratched out"
Let me see the name," said Mrs. |
bracegirdle. She took it and read
"Fortescue."
an odd look came over her face |
cue said nothing for a moment, but |
seemed plunged in thought; then she
rose and went down stairs to the din
ing room. She rang the bell, and the
S'ern,eyed maid appeared.
hlza' she said, ''can you remember
Tue appearance of that young man who
came one day and asked for an UNI
0fella? He came twice, 1 think YOU
9aiu' and asked for me the second
camp - : 'ou
lie was quite gentleman to look |
- inaam' said Eliza; "but this sort |
mostly are. Tall and broad-shouldered
a-p military looking. with blue eyes,
lair moustache."
mat will do, Eliza" said Mrs.
D'aceglrdle, you can 60"
,,- as soon as Eliza had left the room.
Mrs. BraceoirdIo -.