Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-09-18

plunged into the very vortex Of that
fashionable life from which as yet her
tender years have kept her.
It Is cruel blow to Harry Holmes.
for, relying upon his employers evident
friendliness, he has suffered himself to
build high hopes.
Three years! oh, Thalia, your love
viii never survive such test y
Have no fear, Harry" Thalia an
swers, resolutely, for neither time,
place nor surroundings can alter my
heart, and when your time of probation
is over, and | am my own mistress, you
have only to come and demand your own
for shall be yours then as now"
In the belt that clasps her slight waist
nestles a cluster of daisies. STOPPING,
Harry disentangles them from their fas-
Jennings.
{" will keep them, Thalia, as remem-
brance of your words. And now | have
something to tell you. Since your uncle
told me the other day. that, after this
week. nv services would be no longer
needed, / have received a communica-
ton from Ireland, which has decided me
to go there at once. 1t is letter from
an uncle of whose existence until now
have been ignorant But read 1t for
yourself.
This is what Thalia reads:
any DEAR NEPHEW: I have only just
learned, after long inquiry, that my sister
left son, and that he and you are one and
the same. This letter viii undoubtedly prove
a surprise to you, as, from my sisters solemn
vow, made to me as she left her nome,
hot ear
name Let me explain: At an early age
your mother and myself We're left orphans
| Time went by, and your mother met and be-
came attached to one whom beyond all others
disliked, and for just cause.
stThey were engaged and married, In de-
spite of my vehement protestations l re-
fused to sanction the marriage or be present
at the ceremony. Margaret had to the full
the impetuous character of our family. On
the eve of her departure for her future home
she came to me and said: Stephen, hence
forth do not ever expect to hear aught of
me or mine. You have chosen to wound me
| in the tenderest feelings of my nature, and to
insult him who is my husband. shall never
forget you. Never again to my dying day
/ shall your name. or any allusion to you, pass
nv lips. I sever the connection between u.s.
Should have children, they shall grow up In
/ ignorance of any relatives save those upon
their fathers side. have pledged my hus-
band to a like VOW, and it shall be kept.
1
! implacable words caused she had gone. That
was the last time / ever saw her.
Now, my nephew, your mothers vow was
wrong, and have no doubt that ere she died
she would have gladly recalled it. am old
and alone in the world and IN sad need. You
are young and strong and to you | turn.
implore you, as the last of my family, the
only one living upon whom have any claim,
1 to come to my succor il it be possible for you
to do SO. Your uncle,
ssSTEPHEN HARTLEY
"Mr. Henry Holmes"
II am glad you are going, Harry, y
Thalia said, as she finished reading.
Poor old man, all alone in the world
and needing aid-his is sad lot. y
II knew you would feel so, my dar-
ling" Harry answers; and then, the letter
forgotten, they talk as lovers delight to
do, until the moments, flying by, bring
at last the dreaded time of parting.
"Wno is the drone now, Thalia Rivers.
/ should like to be informed?" exclaims
Ida one evening coming into her cousin s
room fully arrayed In an exquisite ball
costume. sit is almost time to be going,
and here you sit with that everlasting
picture in your hand! ITALIA! Thalia
haven't you forgotten that nonsense
YETI"
No, Thalia has not forgotten, although
the last three years have been bewilder-
ing time to the girls shrinking, retiring
nature. She is growing more accustomed
to the thousand demands and forms of
society, but they weary her infinitely.
Not one word since their parting has
she heard from her lover; but, as she
had truly told him, ''neither time nor
place can change her heart" and deep
down in its pure recesses is still cnshrined
one handsome, dark face, with grave
brow and speaking eyes.
ssWhat do you think Renie Andrews
told me this morning9" Ida says, month
later
'sI'm sure do not know" Thalia re-
plies, looking up from the book she is
reading.
well, what would you say if my cor
oneted destiny were even now on his way
to England9 Renie tells me that her
cousin from Ireland is to arrive in time
for her fete, and that with him is to
come a veritable Cr9sus and heir to q
prospective title. Renie says that he is
handsome, too, for she has seen his pic
ture tell you what, Thalia, feel it
In my bones-as nurse used to say-that
this young stranger will not return 70
his ancestral acres as unencumbered as
he comes Some English girl will Ger
tainly captivate him; and why should it
not be your humble servantg"
BY the time her cousin finishes, Tha-
las face is full of the amusement she