Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1884-10-10

he back staircase To her niece.
"Beryl Beryl. Here comes Mr.. Wei
lcrburn, the rich old jeweler from Re-
gent street. He's looked at the "TO
LET" Hes coming in. Put an ex-
ira ten pounds on the rent if he's to
take it,"
"ITe is not 50 very cd, Aunt VIII
helmina," said Beryl, hurriedly 1inging
off her kitchen apron and hastening up
the stairs.
Aunt Wilhelmina uttered a resound-
ing sniff.
Hes no chicken" said she,
Beryl smiled to herself She had
not been unoLseryant Of ali the wiles
that her amt had put forth to capti-
yate this sane Mr.. Wolderburn. She
had not forgotten that Wilhclmina had
not spoken to her for Il week, the last
time Mr. Wedderburn had walked
home from church with her BeryD
instead of with her aunt.
In her secret heart She liked and re-
spcctcd the stalwart middle-agel man,
who had always mingle 50 chiyalrous
a courtesy in hfs manner toward her,
poor dependent though she was upon
Aunt Wilhelmna's grudgingly extend
ed charity.
Mr. Wedderburn came in. kindly
shaking hands with Beryl as he did so.
Il see yopr house is to let said he.
yes" answered Beryl.
While from the head Of the stairs
Aunt WiIhelmina disposed herself to
listen.
I'm glad that girl didn't shut the
front door, said she.
Il ain intending to change my local
habitation," observed Mr.. Wedden-
burn,
SIRE your" said Beryl "lerhapS
yon would Ike this house?'
NO" said Mr.. WeddenDurn, q don't
tbihk care about the house"
"Rude old monsterl' muttered Aunt
MY dttiit - 6oinS " - ICc.suvt t;---F5sSrs--
Beryl.
rs she, indeed ?' uttered Mr.. We'd
denburn. =" am thinking of going to
the country, toor'
q wish I'd gone to the door myself
said Wilhelmina to herself. 81 know
| could have coaxed him to come to
Leicester"
The fact is" added Mr. Wedder-
burn, 81 am tired Of London, Miss
Beryl. | have made up my mind to
live among the daises and butteIcups.
Gracious me-" unused Miss Wilhel-
nina, 'I'll put on my best front di-
rectly, and come down. | believe the
man has been madly in love with me
all along, and now he has decided to
unite our destinies"
And away she scufled in her old
carpet slippers TO beautify herself
as expediti0usly as possible.
"And-you will excuse the interest
Of an old friend Miss Beryl,' kindly
added Mr.. Wedderburn, "but what is
to be your fate? 2"
a don't know" said Beryl, sadly Il
should like to 60 to Leicester too, but
Aunt Wilhelmina thinks had better
stay here and be a shop girl"
What do you think about it?' said
Mr.. Wedderburn.
Beryrs dark-fringed eyelids dropped.
Il have no choice" said she.
He gazed kindly at her; her heart
began to throb a pulse or so faster
than its usual won't
What pleasant blue-g grey eyes he
had! What a frank, smiling mouth.
"Do you like the country?' said he.
a don't know" faltered Be-yl. Il
have seen so little of it. But whenever
I think of Heaven it seems to me it
must be beautiful green meadows,
with yiolets opening in the grass
He leaned forward and took her
hand.
"Beryl,' he said, gently, your
words encourage me still more in the
mission upon which l came. have
bought an old manor-house in Kent
with a farm and plenty of green trees.
Will you 60 thither with me, BeryL
and be the Eve to my little Paradise !:
viii you marry a man who, although
he is close to forty, is still young at
heart, and who will try his best to
make you happy
And without a shade of cOquetry
or particle Of hesitation, Beryl joy
fully answered;
"Yesw
My own sweet girlr' he exclaimed
drawing her close to him. You are
quite sure that you can learn to love
me?"
Il don't know" murmured Ber-
VI "But l think-nay, l am certain
that ] love you now"
At that very moment the door
opened with a long, creaking groan'
and in tripped Aunt Wilhelmila, W''h
her newest front of curls and her sun
day smile. She started back with an
exclamation.
"Ehw said she, in some embaFrass-
ment
'Do not be alarmed, Miss Wilhelm''
ma" said Mr. Wedderburn. resoluleiy