Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1886-07-02
bought to himself, "what a pity the

American voice is so high pitched %
When the gentlemen joined the la
dies in the drawing room Mr.. Morris
looked eagerly for the Kansas cousin.
Not seeing her, he accosted Mrs. Bent
with true English bluntness: 81 do
not see your niece from Kansas |
hope she has not gone; | was count
ing on talking with her all the rest of
the evening""
With mingled resentment and con-
fusion Mrs. Bent replied: "My niss,
went up stairs Immediately after dif'
ner."
In truth, Mrs. Bent was in q state oil
nervous bewilderment. Without for
a moment suspecting the real reason
of Pinkie's withdrawal, she had per-
ceived that the girl was greatly moved
as she came quickly to her when they
were entering the drawing room.
Aunt | must ask you to excuse me.
| am going up stairs to change my
dress. | am not dressed as | should
have been"
"Never mind, child, never mind"
Pinkie was gone.
1t did not take her long to finish
her transformation touches. The
dainty white surah silk, with billowy
reaches Of white lace from the belt,
the soft, clinging gloves to the shoul-
ders, the opal bracelets, the white ost-
rich feather fan, the white satin slip
pers-all were in readiness. But at
last Pinkie's heart failed her.
1T was shameful trick to play on
them. shall cry. | know | shall ;
and I'd rather die than cry before that
Englishman.''
At last she stole down slowly, hesi-
tatingly Black Ben caught sight of
her first, aud reeled back with excite
mert.
1t was unerring instinct that led
Plnkis, on entering the drawing room
to glide swiftly to her uncle's side, and
putting both hands into his to say:
Dear Uncle Slas, Won't you make
my peace with aunt and your friends
here for masquersding at your dinner.
Before she had half finished speak
ing the company had gathered close
around her.
II must say" began Mrs. Bent, in
an angry tone. But Pinkie went on
re.olutely:
81 could not resist the temptation
to live up to the New Workers. idea oi
a Kansas girl. just for an hour or two
You know that was exactly the sort
of person you all expect to see from
the West She gathered courage as
she saw smiles ''Yes. you all know
it" embracing the groap in her ap
pea'ing glance, "and We OF. Yves, al
know it. Then forgive ME. You viii
ask them to forgive The, dear Uncle
Silas, won't you:'
But Uncle Sias was laughing toe
heartily. He bent over and kissed hel
/ forehead.
81 ask them all to forgive me fol
kissing you he said. "a capita
joke, Pinkie.'
The best bit OF acting | ever saw,
cried Hon. Mr.. Morris, ''quitc clever
very neat. Upon my word. though,
do not think now, really, Miss Bent,
should not have seen through it
don't think you have deceived me-"
Il should not have tried" replied
Pinkie very simply. Yet there wa;
\ certain indelinable something in the
tone which made the Hon. Mr.. Morri:
change color.
There are no words in which to de
scribe the embarrassment Of Mrs
Bent and her daughters.
"Had Pinkie overheard what they
said about her -
They sounded her as far as the
dared. But they never found out.
| To only one person did Pinke eve
tell the whole. That was to the Hon
Mr. Morris, after she had been som
weeks his wife.
81 thought it was so unjust in them
Frank she said-''so cruel. az,
Just give them lesson. and let then
see that manners may be only ski
deep-easily put on or off I'd neve
have done it, Frank, if I'd seen you
first-never. WANTED to run out tn
room as soon as | saw you look at me.
you needn't have done so," reptile,
: Hon. Morris, "lor | thought as soon a
my eyes fell on you that l had neve
. seen so lovely face before"
, Did you really:?" asked Pinkie.
= "Really,' answered the Hon. MI
| Mnrr;,