Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-11-12


apple or orange, aud fought all her bat
tles with a vigor worthy Of an olden
knight. When the years in their flight
made them no longer children. 1t was
always VIII who, at the close Of meeting
or singing school, drew her arm through
his with an air Of propretorship and
started for the Allen farm. After his
mothers death he had not chosen his
associates wisely, but in spite of scorn
and oppositioo, without DISC
bedienco, she had clung to him and
trusted.
Then came the affair at the village.
One dark night party of roughs had
broken into Squire Peasley's barn, tied
together the legs Of all his hens, nailed
up Whitefoot's stall, and then climbing
the roof of the ell had placed a board
soaSed in sat water over the chimney.
The old gentleman, who lived alone. was
Obliged to travel on a slippery ground
to the nearest neighbor for help. The
villagers were justly indignant, and for
punishing the miscreants, but no clew 10
them could be found.
win was away IRON home that night,
and suspicion rested on him as one of the
party until he could bear it no longer and
decided to go away.
L seemed but yesterday-their parting
in the old trysting place.
win had slipped the tiny gold band
he wore upon her finger it seemed but
a thread of gold now-asking her to
we4 it until he came back.
For said he, 'I'll never come back
till can offer you name and home.
Sotehow the devil has had possession
oRde lately, but bad as am, would
sd to do what they accure me Of
.t...ssss <veb.c old man. While you
be and trust me, there are plenty
wi 0 not" And with last Good
By by Beth" he was gone.
Wien the first letter came addressed
to Nss Beth Allen, in Wilrsto round, boy
ish and, Mr.. Allen frowned and his
wife scolded, but when she was for
stopping the correspondence at once, he
said
"lhere, there, mother, let the girl
write to him if she wants to; she won't
do hm any harm, and l can trust her
for true Allen not to go far out of
the way"
Sothe matter had dropped, and for
five years 'Liztbeth's letters were received
without comment; then they ceased sud
denly and unexpectedly. For months
'Llzabeth watched the mails with anxious
face. Mrs. Allen shook her head with
an "ltold you he didn't amount to any
thing whe never there was no one but
her husband to hear and Mr.. Allen wait
ed insilence.
lime does much toward healing such
wounds, and five years had made it
seem more like an unpleasant dream than
a reality, when the news of Wills return
came awakening memories of other
days.
FOR once Mr.. Allen was weatherwisc.
The snow had fallen through the night,
covering the earth as with mantle, the
feaihcry flakes continued to come lazily
down until just before 10 o'clock, then
there was a rift in the western sky, and
"nen the old yellow sleigh stood at
the door the sun shonc as bright as
ever
"B' careful, father, and don't let
Alzaoeth get cold waiting for YOU"
was Mrs. Aliens parting iniunc-
'ion as she came to the door to see them
off Wy -
lnero was Just wind enough to lift the
ne%iy fallen snow and send it in little
"'''''' 70 lie sparkling and glistening a
lew yards from where if had falIon
kooln was excellent spirits, and Mr..
Ai'e" ueelared, as he drew up in front of
the village postotiice, that the distance
never seemed so short
Draw the robe close around Won dar-
ter and don't get tired waiting. rvo
go' = bargain with Sam Chase about
that stove, but I'll be quick as 7 con
then wen drive down to Burnbam,s and
get tue book you mentioned.n With tbis
ana al extra pull to Robins blanket, Mr.
Allen was gone. Di'
'Father was right, the old .,oio,h :.
ipo,9 r.,'', comfortable than the new one y
L 90 VI 'hought as she nestled down in
ohe 'V'ner' drawing the robe more close
y % Keep out the puffs of wind tbot
,r,s., ,Ilea % find entrance at all corners
While tucking the robe betmoon HslS' .h
cusi',Oa .'il.., and the side of the sleigh. her
paper. smooth IKE
zone Of fathers old receipts. h.. >
careless, she thought, with fond 4g D',';I. 80
as she s.1s.a drew it forth for inspection. But
a glance was needed to show h. h.. M nu'
take. o" her mis-
ononea ;, al "a letter yellow with age, un.
oPensu and addressed to herself IN tho tn
hanp"s''lng ,a she knew so well. sbo
oou't tbs scarcely trust her eyes, but there ro
a;.co-.and liiaf y postmark--San Fran.
ciscO-aAd she was lust laan;n