Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1889-02-09
HE WISHED TO INQUIRE.
RY MARY PARRISH,

One bright, beautiful summer morn
ing, John Malcolm was sitting in IN
invalid's chair, on the piazza on his
handsome country-seat, which over
looked the Hudson River, q short dis
tanco from New York. He was in u
decidedly bad humor, and the sound of
a sweet, fresh voice, singing n pretty
love ballad, seemed to excite his ire
still further.
lulu, will you stop that everlasting
yelling, and come out here moment ?"
he called, angrily.
what can do for YOU, papa?" And
the owner of the voice, bright, saucy-
faced, attractive young girl, stepped
through the low, open French window
to his side, and stroked his hair loving.
~, with her soft, white hand, while
looking qui 2z;cally into his face. 81
always know you are feeling worse,
papa, when yol stigm atize my musical
efforts as 'everla sting Yelling" Aud
she laughed, gay, infectious little
laugh, that brought an answering
smile to her fathers face. For, in SPIT
of his apparent ill-nature, that was
more the result ola temporary physical
suffering than Lal disposition, John
Malcolm dearly loved this bright,
piluanS, accomplished daughter of his.
Are there no letters for me this
morning?" he questioned, and, re,eiv.
ing a negative reply, he continued, i'm
patiently: There, those horses me
standing in the stable, aid no one
whom L could trust to exercise them,
while L am bound hand and foot with
this confounded Rheumatism That
man whom Jones promised to send
ought to have been here last hight, and
there's not n rign of I'm yet, nor any
letter explaining the delay"
well, papa, l think you had better
agree to my plan, and let me drive
them myself until You can get some
one else" said Lulu.
"Youl Let you drive thosc--" And
hore Mr., Malcolm stopped, breathlcss,
Mt the nero proposition of such a mad
ca! rice. "Do you Want to be brought
home with a broken necks" he man
agod to calculate, " til a grsp.
Lulu laughed gayly at her fathers
CONSERVATION, an was about to reply
when she was interrupted by the sud
den appearance of young man before
them.
He was TIL, mus .ular, rather hand
some man, dressed in gray suit that
showed Evidence of considerable wear.
as he approached he doiled his hat
and was al ont to address them, when
Mr.. Malcolm exclaimed, ira.ely:
$50 yoa hive arrived at last, have
You? Why Didn't You come last night
rs You agreed TOP"
Tha strangers face flushed hotly,
and he locked from Mr. Malcolm to
his daughter, with puzzled air.
Il beg your pardon" he began
"but---H
"No excuses, sir, if you please" said
Mr.. Malcolm, testify; for I've nc
doubt you have a string o. them ready. >
"But," persisted tn stranger, 81 olly
wish to inquire
eyes, yes; understand, again in
terrupted Mr. Malcolm, more impa.
tiently, land it isn't necessary to talk
all day. II you do your work half as
well as Jones says you will | shall be
satisfied. But remember, l won't keeI
ypu way u you Atlluh' IIy tIucl
cca Imam drank, and it cost him his
place. Now, call the gard IN r an let
aim show you to tn, stables. As soon
as possible, harness up the team and
give them good exercising. BY the
by, what is your name?" was added,
as the young man turned away purs u
ant to his orders.
Erred Davis, was the reply, after a
momentary hesitation, which Miss
Malcolm was quick to detect.
We'll, papa, said she. as the young
mans form vanished around the corner
OF the house, "your manner frightened
that poor fellow so that he nelrly for
got his name. He must think you a
perfect tyrant."
III he remains long enough with us
he will find out who is the tyrant." re-
torted Mr.. Malcolm, jocularly. "Now,
tula. my dear, if you have time, please