Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-03-22

\ Ny Sp Mrs. Bostwick took Mr.
sanI Nm, and Mr.. Gilman Offered
his 10 Jessie, and Alfred took charge o
Ev, Pine Gordon, and Miss Bostwick fol
Iovb Ri with young MIR. Gordon, and the,
we in to dinner.
,fes, it was Alfred!
she had known ten minutes ACC
IL she should meet him so soon. she
vol fd have felt nothing but gadness
bnt now, there was drcary pain in hel
heat, a queer sense of loss.
was he-he in dress-suit, his
ba, is no longer red nor his face brown
piet, gentlemanly, low voiced, and
car linly the handsomest man at the
talb K. And-Georgc's college friend
course there YVES but one explana-
tioi Had somebody left him for
t,pk or had they found an oil or gas
10 on the farml Jessie wondered al
mol miserably, while her soup grew
coIE 1t was something of the sort,
sur
hatever it was, there was great
AZ kce between them now. She was a
- pirl, and he was-she did not know
y y Abut he was no longer the simple
4, ~. hard< wnrkinaA Aouno farmer she
e looked at him wstfully.
- 4 have met Mr.. Foster BEFORE" she
explained to Mr. Gilman, who, after a
DOZEN observations and vague responses,
lad begun to stare at her.
'Ahrs he assented.
fIe-was different then," said Jes
NIr. Gilman restored her dropped fan
inIwondcring silence,
1T costs good deal, doesn't it, to
golto college" said Jessie, timidly.
Mr Gilman dissembled his bcwildor-
mdnt.
swell, it depends, you know. You
cap do it economically, of course; but
guess ! got away with three or four
thousand during my four years"
Three or four thousand Jessie gasped.
Across the table, Alfred Foster was
trying to talk to Miss Gordon. His fine
face was little paler than its wont.
''Yes she is Very pretty" said the
young lady, misch cvously, following
tie direction of the young mans gaze.
'tAnd you're deeply in love with her al
ready. Confess it, Mr.. Fosterl"
"But you see, Miss Gordon, we are
old friends, he exploined "And l
haven't seen her in two years. And it
doesn't look much as though I should
see her again = not acccptably. She
seems so much changed! Is she a very
great society young lady2'
Il know her very slightly" said Miss
Gordon, good-naturedly Il know that
Mrs. Bostwick i, very fond Of her."
"And Mrs. Gordon would not be apt
to make poor girl her protegel" Alfred
reflected, gIoomiIy. ''She wasn't rich
then, but
q suppose she's no end of money!"
he said, aloud, trying to say it lightly.
There wouldn't be any chance for
poor fellow like me2"
9. dare say not, said Miss Gordon,
laughing, with unsuspicious eyes on the
old pink gown, which was snowy under
the gaslight.
"And the gentleman talking to herl"
said Alfred, with sober eyes on the two.
Hes millionaire, l supposed and de-
voted to her2'
"Mr. Gilmanl" said Miss Gordon, in
enjoyment Of his pleasant humor. ooh,
yes, Mr.. Gilman is the richest young
man in our set; but I've heard that he's
become engaged lately"
why, to Miss Brooks, of coursep'
Alfred supplemented, with a hollow
laugh. Nothing is more likely"
ITS quite probable, said Miss Cor
don, laughing with him.
How it happened, Mrs. Bostwick, who
was model hostess, and a great
sehecmer for the enjoyment of her
guests, could not have told, but her
pretty protege and Georges handsailas
friend were separated during the entire
evening.
She was sure they would have liked
each other 50 much-a pretty girl and
nice young man. Why not?
She was decidedly provoked. And her
psoyocatior gave her courage for some
what bold stroke.
Pm going to send the Gordons home
N the carriage. and let Mr.. Foster walk
--..=es~suvun..s,~