Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-03-15

N' MS Diaaing, Miss Pinkney
walked in, her face still unusually pale,
the open miniature In her hand.
Pardon me, major, she said, "but
IN searching for some old costumes in
the garret, Laura came across this.
She handed it to HIN. He, too,
seemed hardly less discomposed than she
had been.
"Ah- she cried, II see you recall it.
You vii undersa and what sad interest
/ ltpossesses for me when tell you that
TINS likeness is my own, taken when
29lld, ] can Just remember seeing my
'd9sr father kiss and replace it in his
bosom as he rode off, after bidding fare
well to my mother and me. lie never
came back. He was XII led at Win
chester, We found that out, though we
don't know how. o, sir! perhaps you
can tell me something of my fathers
death. This picture in your possession
Ageyiyes strange hopes.
The major during the recital, showed
igns Of strong s'lt-rcprcssion. He was
usually a quiet, rcticent, self contained
sort Of man, and, by the time Miss
Pinkney concluded, a outward signs
.of discomposgfc, except a certain degree
Of pallor, were carefully banished.
81 have almost forgotten, he said,
iSindly. cit seems to me l picked it up
on the battlefield If so sad reminder
of the past is of value to you, pray keep
it. | once tried to find its proper own
ers, but failed. You SEQ the family
name is Howard, not Pinkney."
my full name is Alice Pinkney How
ard, " said the governess, quietly. II
concluded to drop the Howard when
3ound that money must be earned some
how. 1t was not through false pride,
but in Difference to the wishes of others.
And you never saw my father Major
llintou"
The major hesitated, and drew long
breath through his teeth.
Mo- he almost whispered.
Miss Pinkney sighed, and soon, there
litter, retired
After that, Miss Pinkney was treated
\ ilh greater kindness by Major Hinton
4 pam ever. Had she been one of his
fyn daughters, his solcitude could hard
have been more marked Her salary
Is gradually increased, until she felt
istsa oalleee~1poii.lo remonslrate.
J 81 am not worth near so much,'' she
Aid to the major 81 cannot consent
to see your kind heart so over influence
yolr good Judgment y
The major was then recovering from
light stroke Of paralysis He regarded |
her sadly from his reclining chair; then,
as she turned away, said to himself:
"lf she knew all, would she not
shrink from receiving money at the
hands Of her fathers Destroyer Yet,
was it not done fairly-in battlc1 lean
not be held shonorably responsible
and ye.--yct-
The major sighed, YEARLY.
That night he had another and
eeve-er stroke. In the morning, the
doctor said he might live a day or So
not longer. There was great grief and
some commotion. Miss Pinkney felt as
though her best living friend was passing
away. The major remained in a stupor
until afternoon, when he reused little.
His grief-stricken family were around
him. He was able to talk, and asked
for Miss Pinkney who came at once.
"The r. the picture" he gasped.
"Where is itlo
lie would not be denied so the mini
ature was brought forth and placed in
his hands, while his friends began to
wonder at his manner. He placed one
feeble finger upon the fatal stain, still
disclosing the ancient velvet and, fixing
his sad eyes upon the governess, whis-
pered
"Your fathers blood"
Miss Pinkney felt both a horror and a
fascination at the sick mans words and
looks One of the consulting physicians
was eyeing the miniature, as though the
poor little relic were Medusas head
eyes" continue the major; "his
blood. We met-at Winohester-in
charge. We fought-he fell kill ed
him. He gave me the-this picture.
He asked-me-to send it-home.
could not find his famiy-or friends.
Now-you know-you SEQ, Miss
Pinkney" The major, in his mental
agony, raised his voice to a wall, mex
pressibly piteous. "I-killcd him-but
have tried to-be good-to you.
Can you forgive dying MANI"
80, sir" cried the girl, heartsick over
this revelation, yet not embittered, 'you
both were soldiers. 1t was war, not
murder. freely forgive you"
Her head whirled, she would have
fallen fc~ward upon the bed, but the
strange doctor caught her in his arms,
and embraced her, to the amazement of
ALL
"Alice, my child" he exclaimed, ''no
harm has been done. am your father. "
Miss Pinkney gave one frightened
glance at the bearded face bending over
her, then swooned away. The major
seemed as though ahoss.sr~ do likewise, !
but the dOctor-supnressin his own