Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-04-23
ONLY A COMPANION.

Il ~
"lt seems to me don't look as well as
usual tonight" said Mrs. Major Dart
burg.
She shook her jct-black curls in ser
! pentlne cataract about her face as she
spoke, and critically surveyed herself in
the glass
Mrs. Major Dartburg had been young
er and she had been prctticr, but she
was surprisingly well gotten-up for all
that. BY gaslight you could scarcely
have told that she was day over thirty
years of age. And, as she invaribly took
the precaution to be accompanied into
society by her companion, Miss Orms-
by, whose special duty it was to observe
and correct all mistakes of costume, com
plexion and curls before other eyes could
possibly take note of them, Mrs. Dart
burg felt tolerably safe.
Mrs. Dartburg was widow in search
of rich husband. The deceased major
had been inconsiderate enough to die
and leave her without an income which
was decidedly incompatible with her
wants-and the only thing left for her
was to marry some one who could supply
the awkward deficiency.
So Kate Omsby was taken every year
to some gay watering place or brilliantly
thronged springs
Kate was very unlike her patroness, as
she sat there pale and quiet in her blue
dress. Her face was oval, witt limpld'
hazel eyes; features pure and, ss3he;
and masses of raven black hair
heavy bruid= at the lsrsssi< - sses sFsus,.Ss
sInsipid lookingl' Mrs. Major DarfDufg
declared. Kate cared very little for the
verdict, as long as her 'salary," as Mrs
Dartburg preferred to phrase 1t, sutieed
for the support of her two little orphan
brothers.
NO" said Mrs. Dartburg, querulous-
lv, 81 don't look as well as usual, and il
Mr.. Truxton is to be there, | want tC
look better. Mr.. Truxton has estates IN
the West Indies, owns yacht and drive;
a four-in- hand. tell you what, Kate,
YOU must put Or little more rouge OF
the left cheek And, Katc-d yoV
would only leave off wearing those dow
DIV black dresses! really am beginning
to be ashamed of you when we 60 int
the ballroom. Do get something new
and stylish-a black iron-grenadine, or
China Grape"
81 have others to provide for beside
myself" said Kate, quietly i canno
afford the new decorations of which yo
speak, Mrs. Dartburg.'
'But Pm not awsrc that l am calle'
upon to support all the beggarS and Of
phans in creation" said the wido"
sharply "Here-put this spray OF pul
Pile pansies in your hair-they are qult
mourning enoug-, I'm sure"
Mrs, Dartburg's scarlet-ipped smlI
was unwontedly sweet that night, as Sd
courtesied low TO Mr.. Truxton, the TIC
widower
Hes handsome" thought the nus
band huntiess. "Dear me, he cant
over forty, and as straight as an arrow
And she chatted away in her most la'
cinating manner as she walked throuS
the rooms, leaning on Mr. Truxtons arl
"a very agreeable woman, thouSl
the millionaire, "though not as young
she has been Knows everybody al
seems exceedingly amiable. II | shou
marry again-and, really, little 10
needs a woman's care when he is at non
for the holidays-it certainly is wor'
thinking about"
These were the disiointed medltatlo
that passed through Mr. Truxtons NIL
as he politely listened to the WIDOW
chit-chat, and asked questions about u
various occupants of the crowded room
'FNho is that tall girl by the windo"
he asked, with the black eyes ana
pretty hair?" =.
GLOW strange that you should notl
herl Why, she is my companion h'
Ormsby, sort of poor relation, wilon
keep with me out of pure charity
"Very kind of you, am sure, 81
Mr.. Truxton, and he thought again u
with such an amiable parsonage as u
his motherless little boy would haro
fail to be happy.
'It's trial at times" went on NJ
Dartburg, who was determined to nj
: tralize the admiration which beamed
Mr.. Truxton's eyes, as he glanced o'
over his shoulder toward Kate's queer
form, "for her temper is exceedingly
certain.n
Mr.. Truxton felt himself more
more attracted toward this angelic CT
ture. and he took the first opportunity
ask: 'rWhether she was fond of chlidrel
, II adore them," said the widow, cla
ing her hands.
II an glad of that" said Mr.. TruXV
81 have a little boy Of my ownP
How transparent Is mani Is II
wender tAss Mrs. psrsburg fS.s, q