Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-08-13

out clearly that her presence was needed,
and with only one regretful sigh for the
bright dreams she had cherished, she
began preparations to return to England.
Turner earnestly begged to be allowed
to accompany her, but she gently re-
fused.
81 shall come in a few weeks, whether
you send for me or not. We must finish |
this interrupted tour together, Marian, |
he suggested.
She returned home to find their guar
dian dead, and their fortune gone =
swept away in some ill-advised specula
ton. The maiden lady sought home
with relatives, and Marian Ray found
herself among the worlds workers, and
with helpless invalid to take care of.
Helpless, did we say Nay, she was
the only hope and comfort of poor Mari.
ans heart for her handsome, wealthy
lbyer came not, and the letter she wrote
to him explaining their reverses OF for
tune remained unanswered. She tried
to think of him with contempt; to hold
the love that failed in the hour OF her
bitterest need as vaueless; but she only
succeeded in tormenting her own faithful
loving heart, which, in spite of pride and
reason, cung to that short, sweet ro'
nance with a hold death alone could
break.
All day she walked from house to
house, through the bitter cold, while
the fogs hung dull and heavy over the
metropolis.
1t was dark when she reached home,
and hurrying eagerly upstairs, she
pushed open the door, anxious to be
with her sister as soon as possible. They
were careful with fuel, with everything
necessity forced them to study economy,
and Marian expected to find the room in
/ darkness, only scanty handful of Goa
in the crate. She entered to find g low
ino fire. and the table set with daintiess
while the little tea-kettle steamed merri
ly on the hob.
"Ethelr she cried, hastily throwing
off her hat and cloak, and turning
towards her sisters bed:
"Oh, Marian, sisterl" cried the invalid
in voice trent ling with strange emo
ton.
Then Marian felt her heart leap in
.suffocating throb of pain and rapture, TO
out of the semi-darkness of the corne
1 Mark Turner advanced, with outstretch
ed hands to meet her.
Marian, have you no welcome fc
] meg"
A chilling remembrance of all
ilence and neglect swept over her, al
n m RfeE rose IN srIns.
Certainly, IL welcome you, NJ
Turner," she said, stifiy, stepping bac
h little.
'Whatl have you forgottena" h
/ cried, in keenest disappointment.
| "No, sir; it is because l remember
that | can give you no friendlier greet
ing. | wonder that you can expectit, after
such long neglect and coldness. l can
not pass over such sights"
''But Marian, he did not get your let
ter; and he could not come when he in
tended, for hurt received among tht
Alps kept him a prisoner for severa
weeks, and then he had to search and
search, and has justfound us" said Ethel,
half raising herself up, the crimson fire.
light giving even her pale face a roseate
| tint.
Marian's face changed, and her eye.
mutely questioned her lovers.
1T is all true. Could you believe ]
loved you so lightly" he murmured.
And this time she did not shrink back
when he approached, but gave him the
welcome he craved.
Ethel fell softly back among her pill
lows, her delicate hands clasped, her eyes
radiant.
The reader can readily supply the
sequel. Anu Wdrip1.