Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-02-26
Slightly Mixed

NllguJly MlAeu'
A bright moonlight night and gay
party. Pcals Of laughter in all keys float
through the keen frosty air as sleigh-load
after slcigh-load drive away from a
brightly lit mansion, until the street
seems filed with the dashing sleighing
party.
One, small -hell like creation drawn
by single black horse, leads the party
It's occupants are Mr.. Harold Greystone
and his sister, Miss Nellie Mr.. Grey
stone, after wrapping his sister in the fur
robes, devotes hi1sclf to putting his
horse at a speed that promises to leave
the remainder Of the party in the distance
For some reason, Mr.. Grcystone does not
seem to share the exuberant spirits Of the
rest Of the party. On the contrary he
seems good deal put out to say the
least, and his usually good-humored
countenance is overcast. His heavy
black brows are drawn together, and in
spite of the sweeping mustache one can
note the firm expression that turks around
the mouth.
Altogether he looks very grim, Mis-
| Nellie thinks 5as she turns herself and.
surveys him.
She is very small herself, and being
buried to the chin in wraps, it is work
of time to turn herself sufficiently to SEE
his face. Noting his expression, she be
gan cautiously
Harold, arn't you driving the hors
too fast. See, the others are away be
hind
Owe will arrive all the sooner for sup
per sis, " was the reply.
80, well, but the oysters are not pu
on to cook yet, so We needn't hurry o.
that score
Harold reluctantly pulled up his hors
a little, and, looking back, he growled.
That fool, Douglass, will david
enough for the whole party. It's gran
wonder he would consent to drive load
However, if my Lady Blanche wanted
90 in a load he would not object. It's
mystery to me how as sensible glrl {
Blanche Leslie can tolerate such an idi(
IN her presence. But pshaw, there is L
mystery about it. If a fellow has flu
purse it makes no difference whether /
possesses any brains or not. G1ane
jim, - slapping the horse savagely wit
.he reins.
'Harold, did you ask Blanche to g
with you?'
mo, by Jove, l didn't. am NJ
| quite such a fool as that. My Lad
Blanche will find that she cannot twi.
every one around her finger like Dou9
ASS
II don't think you need be SO hard 0
Blanche. She isn't crazy after rich pee
pie at all. We are not rich, and Ii
sure she is always goodness itself, thoug
you do put on awful airs and treat he
like she was the veriest stranger. As +
Mr. Douglass, almost everyone likes hin
if he is little soft. But Blanche ism
The least bit in love with him 7
''No, not in love with him, but h
pocket book. ! never supposed she va
in love with him"
Harold Greystone, I am ashamed
you. You know there isn't a word {
truth in what you say There, ! am gIa
we have got there at last. feel chiiI
in spite of wraps.
Harold lifted his charge from n
sleigh and placed her on the steps Of q
hotel, where the party have planned
dance, to be followed by an oyster SUI
per. The other sleighs drove up, an
directly the hotel is alive with the merI
party. The evening is heartily enJoye
by all, with the exception, perhaps
Harold Greystone. The sight OF Ms
Leslie smilingly accepting the attention
offered by young Douglass rendered IN
evening anything but pleasant to nm
is true he had no right to complain
Nellie was right when she said his ."
pride had erected the barrier betWee
them. The fact that while Miss Leslie
parents are grown Weather within la'
years, his own had grown poorer va
obstacle enough to Harold. He dld ~
fancy the name of fortune-hunter' d
told himself she had totally forgotten u
old days when they were on an equ'
footing, and, no doubt, she was ashams,
to remember her preference for hiinss''
But he would not presume on that nov
Douglass might win her, and ne Wou'
not lay a straw in his way.
All this and great deal more =
through his head as he gaily talked ~