Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1884-09-19

company for him after all. She could
not cook half so well as lie could; she
lnended his stockings so bunglingly
that they hurt his feet; and she forgot
to make his bed every other day on an
average.
"Ah, well!' he consoled himself; II
s'pose all wcmen are alike. Indian
Oscelita amt cut arter that pattern,
though. I'm level sure of thatl"
Oscelita Dean came one day, on her
fathers steamer, to the little dock,
with an Offering of freshly-gathered
blueberries, radiantly-spOtted birds
eggs, and fan of eagle plumes made
by her own hands
"Ah, thanksw said Cynthia, tossing
her head. 81 don't care for birds egg
collections. We've plenty of blue
berries here. What do you ask for the
eagle fan?''
Oscelita colored little.
Il meant it for a present" said she.
"Will you accept it?'
Il couldn't think of such thing
said Cynthia, primly. 81 never re-
ceive presents
"Ihen ] shall leave it for Mr. Cop
ley said Osceuta, smiling as she
hung it over the old hunters big chair.
"He will like it, l know"
Cynthia looked quickly around. Was
1t possible that Oscelita was mannu-
vrlng to entrap Uncle Fin for a hus-
band? He would be quite fool enough
to fall into the trap.
You can do as you please about
that, said she, knitting with all her
might.
Your are very lonely here" said
oscelita, in her soft. flute-like voice.
ITS the dismalest place | ever came
across in my life said Cynthia, pet
tishly.
at doesn't seem SO to me-, said
oscelita. "In my eyes it is home
TASTES differ" said Cynthia, with a
well-emphasized sniff.
But, as she sat there, she could sea
that Oscelita was tall and slender with
a complexion of the richest olive.
dark. liquid eyes, and hair like let
silk. And, all in a second, she felt
now elderly, and sallow, and plain she
herself wasl
But she was Doctor Copley's daugh-
ter, and Oseelita. after all, was moth
ing but the waif and stray of these
v swiisieffiesses.
81 have been wishing to come and
see You this long time, said Osce lita
in her low, mild tone.
"Much obliged, l am sure" said Gym
thia. "But l have resources within
myself which preclude loneliness
t"ls there nothing l can do for you?'
persisted Ocselita. thinking of the little
boat wherewith she was wont to row
out, in the pink sunrise. after water
lilies; Of the hidden wood-nooks; the
lovely little brooks, whittier no one
could conduct the stranger but herself.
THANK you!" once more retorted
Cynthia. 81 don't know of anything
unless, indeed, you could come and
scrub a half day for me every week.
l should be willing to pay half dol
lar, if"
Indian Oscelita rose quietly up.
Il think you are mistaken said she
81 am not-a menial. Good-by, Miss
Copley."
And Cynthia watched her unfasten
the boat and glide away on the spark
ling floor of the lake, with slow, grace
full strokes.
Il don't think she will come again"
said Cynthia, hugging herself "The
idea of an Indian girl expecting to be
noticed by mel'
1t was about this time that Captain
Sydford came to the Point, fishing
one o. the real, live tourists for whom
Miss Cynthia's soul had so longed- and
hired a room in Uncle Fin Copley's
cabin.
And now began the real course Of
life. Miss Cynthia took her guitar,
screwed up its strings, and practiced
so desperately that not bald eagle re-
Inained within ear-shot of the Point.
She prosecuted Uncle Fin into grub
bing up stumps innumerable, and level
ing down the ground for tennis
course; and she unpacked the nets and
balls. She placed her water-colored
sketches around in the most consplcu-
Gus places, and posed at sunset, with
her easel and brushes, just where Cap
tain Sydford would be most likely 'oI
see her when he alighted from the boat
at supper time.
"She's aqueer old customer, said The
captain to himself. "If she 1otH perch
herself in those exposed spots, some
high wind will blow her into the lake
some day
"a nephew of Sir Simon sydford' Of /
Ottawa?" said Cynthia, almost IN i
scream. "Good gracious me, Uncle
Fin, why didn't you say so beforeY
Didn't think of it," said Uncle Fin.
BLESS your heart. we get all sorts Of
folks this away. Lord Dutferin hin-
self came down here and stayed all
night at Peter Pifin's, the guides nut
And we had a bank burglar at Eagle
Bay for week"
And straiphtwav Miss Cynthia {