Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-08-20


cousin, Jenny Searles, into the car
riage that was waiting for her at the
station.
She had been bis wiie's briadsmaid,
and be sighed as he looked in ber
smiling face.
1t was three years since that So
called happy event occurred, but
though she was o trille more staid
and dignifed, she bad the same hap
py smile, neat. trim appearance that be
so well remembered.
You will find Fanny q good deal
altered. /" he said, as he took ! seat By
her side.
Jenny cast somewhat surprised
look at the grave face Of the speaker.
Why, howl Has she been i'll ~
ssWell, no, 1 can't say that she has
been III, was the hesitating reply;
"but she-she's changed. Marriage
don't seem to have agreed with her
very we'll"
The laugh that ended these words
sounded rather forced Perhaps he
felt the implication conveyed by them
OF, rather, the fact itself.
Jenny looked earnestly into the
frank. kindly face of the speaker.
nWas it bis fault-for there must
be fault somewhere.
The house, as the carriage stopped
Ii front Of it, looked as if it was all
ahnt up.
If Jenny bad expected to see her
cousin in the hall she was disappoint-
ed.
Fred looked slightly disconnected
as. he glanced around.
sFanny's 10 her room, / suppose;
LII hunt her up"
.sAh there you are, Fan"
Here q dowdily-dressed woman
made her appearance at the other end
of the ball, whom Jenny would have
failed to recognize had it not been for
the warm embrace and eager greet
ing.
After leading The way to the dark
and rather untidy sitting room, Fam
ny's animation alI at oncc forsook her
and, throwing herself upon the sofa,
she burst into tears, much to Jenny's
surprise and CONSERVATION.
The sight Of you reminds me SO
of the happy past II ''sighed Fsnny, as
she wiped away her tears.
And the present is no less happy,
/ hope Z" suggested Jenny, feeling
for her cousins husband, who looked
foolishly conscious that be was in
some way considered to be at fault.
Fanny's only reply was mourn
ful shake of the head, which, rightly
interpreted, meant that she never ex-
pected to be so happy again as long
as she lived.
Putting bis hands III bis pocket
Fred walked to the window, whist
ling softly to himself with an i'll dis
sembled air of unconcern.
IF you knew how that noise goes
through my head, Fred " remonstra-
ted Fanny, as she rang for Ann to
take away her Cousins things
Fred ceased whistling, taking him
self out Of the room at the same time.
Fanny gave her cousin look, as
much as to say, you see what /
have to put up with II
As soon as the door closed after her
husband, FanDy's cOuntenance lost
its disconsOlate abused expression,
and she commenced talking with her
visitor with considerable spirit and
animation.
Jenny now had an opportunity to
observe her more particularly.
It was nearly dinner time, aud still
she had on the calico wrapper that
she had worn ct breakfast; not much
soiIed, but still faded aud wrinkled.
She wore neither cuffs nor collar,
while her pretty brown bair-pretty
when properly cared for for was
smoothed over the top and tucked
back Of her ears 10 tangled bunches.
Her feet were thrust into 4 pair Of
old slippers, much too large for her,
and down at the heels.
AS Jenny looked Ct her she could
hardly believe that II was her cousin,
Fanny Burns, who always used to
look 50 fresh and neat, 60 smiling and
happy
From the habit Of giving way to all
her peevish and discontented feelings
as they arose, Il seemed impossible
for her to look pleasant now. when
she tried while her very voice. which
used @ hare such clear and cheer
lul ring, Lad become infected b them.
ln answering and asking questions
the time passed rapidly until il was
nearly time fof dinner.
Il had 10 idea ii was fs0 near
dinner time said Jenny risiug 10
her fcet. s. slie glanced u her watch
Il shall hardly eive v0n time 70
dress
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