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

-h"i i"i, uCdi, HOW Is inc morning.
fair or cloudy ?" inquired Ethel Ray.
turning on the invalid couch, where she
lay during the day as well as at night.
Dark and cloudy" she replied, the
cold dreariness of the new day striking
a chill to her sensitive, heavily y-burdened
heart. A tired, hopeless look swept over
her delicate, noble face, leaving a slight
droop at the corners of her mouth. q
shadow in her eyes. Ethel saw the ex.
preston, and for a moment her own
grew less cheerful and bright.
Never mind; there will be a rift in
the clouds by and by" she said with re.
newod hope.
g am glad you have such faith. net y
said Marian, still looking out on ii
street. M
A poor beggar crept feebly along, Bk
rags fluttering in the bitter wind; and
pity for lot sadder than her own, z
girl lost some of her discomfort. SI4
turned from the window with brigh1<
expression, and put on her hat and cl
to start out on that weary round of B
sic lessons. which were their support -
~orry a~n~@ yous 1saaot ailq
it will be late before | can get through.'
. Do not fret about me, Marian. Mrs
O'Malley will come in and give me nj,
lunch, and a fresh glass of water, and
have this beautiful lace to mend for Mis-
Constantine, and that magazine 70,
brought me yesterday to read. Oh,
shall be fully occupied until your re
turn"
Well, well, it is comforting to have s.
brave and busy little sister at home.
think of it often when l am out, and il
gives me courage" said Marian, bending
over the couch with tender, misty eyes.
The crippled girl cIasped the slende
hand caressing her hair, and drew il
down against her cheek.
'Am a help to you, Marian? Oh, tha
thought makes me happy! 1 lie here
such helpless, useless creature; some
times have feared that | was only {
burden to you"
"Never think of that again, dear one
never If it were not for you"
She broke off, and STOPPING kissed the
sweet, pale face resting on the pillow
but when she would have moved away,
Ethel held her moment longer.
"Marian, darling, do not lose your
faith and hope. There will be clear sun
shine after a while, and all these dark
clouds will vanish"
81 will try to think So" she replied,
with a smile-a smile that vanished the
moment she left her sisters presence, and
memory began to bring up one by one
the events of the two years just passed.
The girls had been left orphans at an
early age, but with property sufficient to
supply all they could ever need, notonly
of necessities, but even luxuries. Their
guardian controlled and managed the
money, and they lived in his house,
under the care of his good-hearted
maiden sister. Ethel had always been
lame and delicate, but Marian went out
into the world, seeing and enjoying It's
beauties and pleasures.
Walking swiftly along to give her tlrst
music lesson, she drew a sharp breath ol
anguish, as memory too faithfully recalleu
all the glory and happiness OF tour IN
Italy with party of friends, just before
the downfall of fortune. At the very
outset they met Mark Turner, Handsome
intelligent, and, to the young GIRL a Fi!
king among men. He joined the party
and singled her out as the object ol ms
attentions. The routes they travelled NC
had been over before, and he could point
out all that was beautiful and interesting.
1t was golden season, and, ths s",
heart surrendered in spite Of Wonau'5
pride and reluctance. But she n'a
/ no cause to feel shame, or to belieVs ~
love unsought for. IA
One mellow, moonlit night, in an Olu
Neapolitan garden, he stretched Ou' .s :
hand to her with sudden, paS'lo1l
words of love and SO eloquently ui1 ID
plead for the sweet gift Of her iulu'' i,s T.
that she could not withhold the p'0~
to be his wife. Van
"You shall never regret 1t
shall be happyl" he cried with iO'''
confidence. ,..,rs5.
II am happy novl" she Whispers
flushed and shy, but radiant -. aor-
They wandered along among 'n' Nam.
ers, feeling that heaven lay aO0u' ' a.,.i,.i '
but tho aext morning the girl ''