Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-02-15

AAtRfN WHAT
"a joke on Uncle Bert. I am going
to make Mrs. Dayton propose to him."
Howl asked Lille
"This is leap year, and Iuncle will get
proposal from Mrs. Dayton; if he
doesn't, my name is not Katharine Dale, I"
answered Kate, nodding her head sagely,
while her dark eyes spoke volumes of
mischief.
'.Kate, what do you meanl How
can you make her proposel'
"Just wait and you will see. I can
manage that part perfectly well" re-
torted Kate, as she danced gayly out of
the room and ran up stairs, where she
was soon busily engaged in some mys-
terious scheme.
Meanwhile Mr.. Morton had not spent
a very enviable forenoon, for the words
Kare had spoken in the morning kept
ringing in his ears, spite Of all efforts to
forget.
"Bosh!" lie exclaimed at last, throw
ing down his pen for the twentieth tima
and glancing at his watch. "One
o'clock, and have done nothing today
What fool l ami OF course Kate was
only joking. Mrs. Dayton would not
dare to propose. Well, Tom, what is
it}" he asked, as an errand boy en-
tered
GA letter, SIR said the lad, as he
handed Mr.. Morton a large yellow mis-
siFe, and then darted quickly out of the
door with broad grin upon his face.
AIr. Morton tore open the envelope and
drew forth the letter, His hand shook,
and great drops Of perspiration broke out
on his brow while he read the following
lines
NJ. Norton
DEAR SIR,-I take the advantage which
this year affords to my sex TO inform You of
the tender feel ng have long felt for u,
and lie elieve that my sentiments are re
turned. understand that your nieces are
to be ma ried soon, and know that you will
want some laiy to care for your hou e, and
greet you with soothing words of cheer,
when you return home weary with the bust
ness cares of the day. Therefor / conquer
my modesty and plainly ask You to marry
me. Hopiog to receive a f vorable reply
500 | emain, Yours truly,
NANCY DAYTON.
"IIeayen and carthm gasped Mr..
Morton, letting the letter drop from his
hands, and starting to his
feet. Kate was right. She intends to
marry me whether orno. What on earth
an to dor he groancd, sinking back
into his chair and dropping. his tllrobl9ing 3
head upon lis hands despairingIy.
II is an Old adage that st never rains
but it pours, F" and so thought Mr.. Nor
on, for the next moment clerk put his
head in at the door and said
IF you please, sir, Mrs Dayton is in
he store and wishes to see you at once
upon important business
ssEhl What?" almost shricked Mr..
Morton. 'M's. Dayton in thercl what
shall | do2" he cred, stating UP wildly
md darting behind the door.
eyes, sir. What shall l tell her?" said
he clerk, looking as if he thought that
Mr.. Morton had gone crazy.
sob, for mercys sake don't let her
come in here" he cxcla med in a shak-
ng voice. "Don't, Brown, there's
good fellow. Tell her anything l
I'M Ill, or not in-tell her to come in
;ome other ime. Get rid of her quick,
some way or other; but for Heavens
'ake don't let her come in here. l won't |
see her on any terms whatever.
can right, SIR" said Brown, as he
backed out of the office, almost choking
with laughter, as the situation Of affairs
md the cause Of Mr.. Mortol's frantic ac-
ions flashed through his mind.
"oh my stars!' groand Mr.. Morton,
IS the door closed behind Brown.
What on earth am l to do2 Kate was
light What fool | was that / did not
,sk Bessie Bell TO marry me years agol
Then would have been safe from the
,lutches of that brazen faced widow
He stepped from his place of retreat,