Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-05-10


Emitted Mr.. Paley. "But his aunts
silcd him. He never had any bring
i up to speak of. "
But this illness seems to have ex-
ed a wonderful influence over his
rral nature added Doctor Delfer.
md ! really think Dorcas has done it
al Her influence has been wonderful.
'She deserves a great deal of credit,
I'm sure," said Mr.. Paley. II should
lib TO see her and thank her. We
bught few pre- ents for her-a warm
slwl, silver snuff box and black
sf gown"
Doctor Delfer gasped little.
"She-I don't think she takes snuff"
I'D he, feebly.
eAll these nurses do"
''Yes-but--there she is nowl'
The door opened and Dorcas Wynteg
amy in, carrying student lamp, which
- 40 lust filed and trimmed anew.
/ Dir. PaIcy dropped the silver snuff
bk in astonishment.
I'll beg your pardon, l am surel" STAN
Ered he.
And when the doctor suggested that
ae nurse had better accompany young
Guy on the journey home, he assented
Fthout rcmonstrance.
"Nurse, indecdn said Miss Sophro-
sia Palcy, gaunt, high-featured dam
i of fifty. "As il a pretty, simper-
|bg chit of a thing like that could un-
erstand anything about nursing"
"she does, though, said Guy. 'She' 5
brick, Aunt Soph. And l don be-
eve l should have been alive now, if it
'asn't for her. j"
"You are quite well enough by this
ime to dispense with her services, " said
Iiss Sophronia. GA boy that eats the
uantlty of mullins and plumjam that
ou did at tea, last night, cannot cal
imself an invalid any longer. She has
,een here a month, and"
"But she's not to go away for all
hat, Aunt soph," said Guy, who was
levouring roasted chestnuts like {
ragon. ''Ask papa. She's to be Mrs.
'aley one of these days, and"
'N1rs. Pdley!' Aunt Sophronia turned
green and yellow. Its come to that
then, has it1 Well, I've suspected it thii
some time. And all I've got to say is
"Seven years from now," said Guy,
with his mouth full of chestnuts, 81
shall be twenty-one and she twenty-six
Not enough difference to signify. And,
he uttered, with grin, as his aun
founced wrathfully out of the room
'you'll get your walking tickets, ole
lady, when I'm married. I'd as sooI
have deaths head and bones arounc
the place any time.
He was sitting curled up in the easies
chair in the library, reading book, hal
an hour afterward, when the door opened
and his father came in.
Something in the paternal glance and
movement struck the boy.
Il never saw father look so young
and bright before" he thought. "some
thing must have pleased him very much
Perhaps Aunt Soph is going to marry
some old fogy or other, and the coas
will be clear
$50 you knew all about it, Guya
said Mr.. Paley, laughingly.
''About what, siri"
stAbout my engagement"
The book fell with crash to the
floor.
.sYour-what, fatheri"
"At least you told Aunt sophronl'
about it. Well, I'm glad you are
pleased my boy. And Dorcas says she
shall always love you as if you were hel
ewn sen. As 3 general thing, ] donl
of stepmothers, but you ana
Dorcas love each other so dearly, that
why, Guy, what is the matterl'
For the boy had rushed out of the
room with an odd, suffocating sensation
in his throat.
He met Dorca, coming in from the
garden, with bunch Of scarlet holly-ber
res il her hand.
,Dorcas!' he cr.ed-"Dorcas, yo'