Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1888-12-07

month at the store; and father and
mother'll Il lot me havJ the south wing
Of the farm house t1 keep house in
without rent. A I've always loved
you, Marian, since that first Sunday you
came home from your Aunt Alma's AMI
If you II accept me, you shan't have no
reason to complain"
81 cam leave father and mother"
said Marian, calmly Fathers helpless,
and mother is growing old, and I'm
the last child at home"
Simon's face leng gthcned.
"a man aia't generally expected to
marry the whole family" stammered
he.
"And besides, " went on Marian, 'Tll
marry no man until the old farm i, out
Of debt, and the hou'e fitted up to look
as it once dll. No, Simon-many
thanks TO you, but I'm in no hurry to
settle yet.
And Simon went away scarcely know
ing whether to be glad or sorry.
Marian Calliper was, by all odds, the
prettlest girl in the neighborhool; but
who would marry hor, weighted as
she was with old folks and the old
hou3c2
Neither was Marian herself much dis
turbed. She liked honest Simon we'll
enough; but as for loving a stupil
oaf like that, it was too ridiculou
She folt quite differently, however,
when Gilbert Weston asked her,
one soft September twilight, to be his
wife.
81 don't pretend to be rich, =" said he
'but l can make nice, cosy little
home for you, Marian. And tho rich
est man in all the world couldn't love
you moro than l do"
Is-I don't feel prepared to be mar,
yei," said Marlin, intent on clus-
ter of tube-rosos which she had gath
cred from the struggling garden.
81 can wait, Marian" pleaded he.
ooh, it isn't worth while for you to
wait" said she, hurriodIy--for she
knew that Gilbcrt's slender income
would not go far towarl th1 objoct she
had at heart. "But l hope W. shall
always be-be friends!'
Aud poor Gilbert withdrew, cut to
the heart.
The next day she accepted J ohn Van
derbruggen, the rich squire sol.
''Hes a sulen, rough sort of fellow,
daughter" said Ms. Callipcr, wi t
fully. "Are you sure you love him1'
'II, has promised to cancel the mort
gage" sail NJ ,riaa, cxuItaatIy. "And
to put the pace in order; and he will
let me live here with you. dear, and
father. VIII else could hope for2'
Youngvanderbruggon went home an |
told his father of thu bargain he had
made.
"Humphr eruatod the squire
Couldn't you have done better than
that2'
"She's got face like rose" said
John. 81 want her; and I'd have her,
if it cost twice as much -
1Iumph!' again uttered the squire.
"Wcu, promises are cheap. AID as
long as nothing is put down in back
and white, nobol ly is bouall'
John VandorbIuggen ohuckled, lie
was true chip of the old block.
'Do you s'poso I didl't know thatl"
said he.
The week before the proposed we'd
ding, however, poor Old Mr.. Callipcr
died, quietly sitting in his rocking
chair, and the ceremony was postponed.
A d ono day Marian took courage and
went over to the SQUIRE house.
>HJohn,' said she, pm sorry If it's
any disappointment to you; but I've
been thinking it overland | can
marry you. don't love you as a wife
should love her husband. 1t was tn
money was thinking of-not you.
Hero is the ring and the presents you
have given me. Aad row good byI
John Vanderbruggen turned purple
with rage.
"Its Gil Weston you are going t.
marryr' said he, in a chokel voice.
yes" said Marian, valiantly, it is.
For love him, and don't love you!
So she repu sed the temptation that
had 50 nearly overpowered her better
nature, and followed the dictates of hel
own heart.
But can't marry you yet, Gilbert,
ID she. 81 must wait until have
tned some more money"
And then she told him the story o
VOW.
m ther says she added smiling,
vhat a foolish promise is better broker
than kept; but l don't feel so. It's very
real to me.
"And you are right" said Gilbert
But we will work together, Marian
What can save shall be added to you
store, and all the while shall be work
ing for YOU"
The tears came into Marian's eyes
How thank .ul she was that she had no
married John Vanderbruggen, wher
Gilbert Weston loved her like thisl
Scarcely week ha elapsed, wher
Gilbert came to tha old farm -hous