Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-11-11

81 SOL
emn conclusion, 1T is interference with
the affairs of others; but in this case
said 70 myself, Duty, Mary Anne Muir
ply, dutyF"
.'Oh.n gasped Jessica. She had sunk
back IN her rOse-ribboned rattan rocker
IN quite o tremOr Of dismay.
A very charming room this suburban
parlor into which gold bars Of sunshine
slanted through the half-closed Vene-
tians. Worthy even os pretty Jessica-
it, with its tiled hardwood floor, its sill
ver.fox ana bearskin rugs, its Madras
draped windows, its quantity modern
mantcl of polished oak, its eccentric
chairs, its grotcsqne tables, its dainty
aquarelles, its Chinese cabinets, its slen-
der but admirably chosen collection of
bisque and Limoges. And surely eye,
however critical, could crave no sweeter
picture than little Miss Ray made in her
pale blue sarah tea. gown, cascaded with
Valenciennes, and all her bronze-bright
ripply hair braided in childish fashion
down her back. But just now the lovely
face was curiously col0rless, the purple
blue eyes wide and startled under their
long lashes.
There was silence after that sharp ex-
clamation of Jessica's. Miss Murphy
could afford to be silent. She had dropped
her small shell and it had exploded with
most satisfactory report. She sat rig
idly erect In the consciousness of duty
done, every fold of her black silk visiting
costume stiff with propriety, every POM
pom on the brown beige bonnet bristling
with responsibility.
Il don't believe word of itr' de-
clared Jessica, slowly.
If impolite, the remark was in no de-
gree insolent. 1t was simply the utter
ance of conviction Miss Murphy was
not offended. She removed her gaze
from gem of Van Elton's on the oppo-
site wall to fasten it on the agitated lit
, tie lady in the rocker. 1t took some en-
durance on Jessica's part to sit meekly
under the scrutiny Of those faded blue
eyes -eyes tolerant, placid, beaming, as
those OF q benignant old COW.
1t is true, my dear. He said it. I
heard him with my own ears!"
This really was unansWerable.
They We're in the front parlor, pur-
sued Miss Murphy, folding her plump,
tan-gloved hands with aggravating leis-
ure and serenity. II sat sewing just be-
hind the portiere. never would have
stayed could only have foretold what
was coming. They had been talking
about other things, and were silent for
awhile. Suddenly my Ned burst out
laughing. 80 you've seen her, he said,
and you don't fancy her, eh2' Fancy
herr echoed Jack. Well, | should say
nOtp"
.sWellg" urged Jessica, steadily.
She would hear it out, she told herself
-she would-evcry word of it!
sWeli, then" slowly, TO heighten by
suspense .he effect of her narrative, sNed
said, The boys around here all like her
immensely. Roy Pates says she's a
daisy n"
ssOhl' moaned Jessica. ssYou must
excuse that nephew Of mine, my dear;
you really must Ned but repeats what
he hears. Beside, yon know, he is only
boy yet-just eighteen What Ned
said Is of no importance. Please 20 on. !"
She sat erect again very pale and inn
perative. indeed.
II you insist on hearing, hesitantly,
Jack replied. well, don't. Ibid lust
at first confess for while she de-
ceived me. But few days gave me
enough of her. Ned said, Why, we all
thought you were in great luck to get
her. Luck cried Jack in answer, SO
loud, my dear. fairly jumped. Luck {
Yes, the most confounded piece of bad
luck ever struck' / am ashamed to
say, my dear, but to be veracious / must
say that here Ned, quite carried away by
his youthful sYmpathies, inquired, Cant
you get out of itg And Jack said.
"a