Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-08-28

H NHVCh Cdlho " tut
''oor' and the old housekeeper put her
head into the room.
Miss Minnie, the sheets is ready
ior the linen closetw
"Ihe sheetsw Minnie shrugged her
shoulders little impatiently. "yby
couldn't old Peggy have waited?
Very well. Peggy, I'll see to that,
presentlyr'
"Rut they ought to be put away
now, miss" persisted the obdurate old
servant. I've strewed sprigs of Law
slder and dried rose leaves between
all the folds, and if you'd please to
put them on the shelves now"
Minnie rose with scarcely sup
pressed sigh. She knew Peggy too
Veil to hope for any peace until her
pehests were fulfilled.
The heap Of snowy linen lay on the
hall table, white and fragrant through
the tolls of Peggy's skilled digits, and,
taking pile on her arm, Minnie Dart
ford went to the linen closet. small
room opening out on that allotted to
the present occupation of Clarence
Lee and Mr.. Herbert Arundel.
She glanced timidly in before she
entered to make sure that neither of
her brothers guests were in the apart
nent and then hurried through, t
place tile linen in its nook.
She had scarcely reached up to dc
Dosit the pile on the high shelf above
her head, when voices and footsteps
fsil On her ear, and, with d palpitating
1 cart. Minnie felt that she was like
-ns,ets anu ,iIi.ssa.ses. rii 81, MIR.
Ssandel had entered his room-the
spicy odor of his cigar already pro-
claimed the fact to her olfactories.
even were there no other witnesses.
and with him stranger had been
ushered in.
Minnie stood quite still, hoping that
their incursion was but for moment,
and their withdrawal would presently
leave her free to beat retreat. The
door of the closet was partially drawn
to- and she was at least sure of not
being discovered. The color rose to
her cheek at the idea of thus involun-
tarily playing the part Of eayesdropper;
but what else could she do2
"Sit down, Lewis" cried Mr.. Arun-
del, drawing forward an easy chair;
make yourself at home. Your cigar
isn't out, ] hcpe?"
"No, it's all right said the strange
voice. 81 say, old fellow, speaking Of
ones self at home, it strikes
me that you are practising the thing
rather extensively here"
Arundel laughed.
Il am at home," he said complaccnt-
ly "Why, bless your heart alive,
Lewis, the good people here think I'm
the greatest man alive"
They'll find their mistake after
awhile"
"Not until I've made sure thing
oft" answered Arundel
What do you mean q
a mean that am going to marry
the girl"
"What, the little heiress? echoed
the man whom Arundel had called
Lewis.
"Well. yes, if you choose to call her
SO. No great heiress, after all; but 1
dare say can find use for her twen-
t4-fye thousand dollars. And, to
crown all, She's desperately in love
with me"
lhe o'h1r laughed hoarsely-a
snecrng sound, which made the blood
boil Indignantly in Minnie Dartford's
veins.
You always did play the deuce
among the girls" he said. so she's
IN love with you, eh %
Yes. It's quite amusing to watch
the progress of her infatuation,"
answered Arundel. 81 haven't pro
posed yet, simply because l don't want
10 preeipitate the moment. Bless you,
she Jump into my arms tomorrow if /
were to pop the question:"
She'd jump out again quick
enough if she knew you half as well
as do" jeered the other.
but she don't, you seel' said
arundel. Where ignorance is bliss.
It's folly to be wise'-you know the
olu saying. And the best of it is that
I've somehow contrived to cut out
aiio'ner lover, who has been hanging
around after her ever since she was a
chlld In bib-aprons-a man whom anv
glri ought to be proud to attract
Clarence Leer
She's foolr' was the mnttered
comment.
..,.,a Vranted' =, said Arundel lightly;
ouI then you and 7 knou +hat al
. women are fools"