Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1888-05-04
$500


o. o
10 one bird on same..,................ 1000
$500
Received payment
25l 2j 20! POI Pol 25l 25l They
danced crafty before her eyes as she
sank in a dazed little heap on the floor.
What would Ernest sayl She was but
~, and it never occurred TO her unbusi-
nesslike ideas that Madame Vaurier was
taking advantage of her, and that she
could send the bonnet back. Aunt Va
lcrie had money, but Ernest had forbid
den her ever to borrow a penny Of Aunt
Valerie OF pain of his deepest disap-
proval. He was 50 proud aud honest,
and she, "nasty little selfish thing, " had
dared to call him "mean." "He was
worth hundred Jack snellings, so
therel'
That very evening Jack called with
his sister, who was very kind and cor
dial n her gentle, reserved way, and
the invitations for Easter day were re-
ncwed with some well-bred iusistcnce,
upon learning that her brother was alb
sent and Aunt Valerie was to Join them.
But there was good stuff in Babs
sturdy little body after all, and even
while her eyes took in the quiet ele-
gancc Of Miss Mildred Snelling's attire
she was coming to Spartan's
resolution. She wou go, Dut
| shs would not wear an un-
Maid for bonnet. Somehow she felt bet
| ter after that, and when telegram ar
rived before Sunday, saying that Ernest
would return the next Monday, she was
quite ready with smiling welcome to
greet the unexpected announcement of
Mr.. Smelling. Something Jack had
to say kept him in such ferment that
| he wnTd not wait, so lie had called to
'put it to the test AMI win or lose."
But somehow matters did not progress
just as Jack had anticipated. For,
when he had told her in his most manly
way how dear she was, and all that he
wa ted her to promise, Bah simply
bulicd her blue eyes in two dimplcd
hands and sobbed: "You wouldn't!
Oh, you wouldn't if you knew what,
what ho- orrid little wretch l anil
And then, the ice once broken for the
revelation, she tod Jack all the miser-
able tale. When she got through she
waitcd-not word came from JACK.
20 my, he was too dissusted with her
TO speak, Sne knew he would be"
and began to sob afresh. This was too
much, and Jack drew away
the hot hands and wet hand
kclchief to show her his
own eyes, dancing with suppressed
laughter "Didn't you get any mail
tonight2' he sal at last. mo yes
not-that is, l got a-oh, l never
looked at itl Some one clmc in" she
stammered, wonderingly "Well, go
and get it, please, now,' said Jack, re-
leasing her to run out and return with
an envelope, which she tore hastily
open. mime Vauricr's bill, receipt
cdl she gaiped ''What does it
meana" Read, and you will see,"
said Jack. "Mme. Yaurier happens to
be Mildred's milincr as well, and she
made some purchase the anne date that
you did. The bookkeepcr has mixed
the bills and sent them to the wrong
brothers, that is all. My sister bill is
probably awaiting your brother return
at his office. Suppose you let the mat
ter 60, as it will be, hope, but short
time till l may pay all your bills un-
questioned. That is for you to say"
1t was answered satisfactorily, no
doubt, for very rosy little B b, gath
cred herself resolutoly together half
hour later and insisted upon taking the
bill into the library, where it should
meet her brothers eye the first thing
upon his return. A little later she stood
IN her clinging, pale-blue dress, leaning
against the deep saloon hangings in the
archway Her dark lashes, in startling
contrast with her yellow halr almos t
rested on her cheeks, a trife pale now,
as she realized the serious and sacred
sweetness of the new tie.
ut is kind of you JACK, to wish to
shield me from modification at my own
folly, but / cannot wear it until Err
nest has forgiven me. and he is the only
one yet, with shy little cmphasi) },
who has right to buy my bonnets.
| Will not wear it tomorrow
"oh, yes, you will, little one" said
voice behind the red draperies, as
they swung apart and Ernest Nixon
caught the startled girl in his arms as
he entered the room. at was rather
mean to listen, Jack, but findiag a bill
FOR my sisters bonnet with your sigma
ture on my table upon my premature