Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-09-12

fllVW 10 IL lOsstDics
'I'll tell you," said Patience Potter,
MRS. Dudley wants hclpl"
"About the housework, you know"
said Patience. "At the Red House
Rectory. You wouldn't have half so
much to do as you have here, and
you'd be treated deal civier. Twelve
dollars a month and nothing to do but
help Mrs. Dudley"
''I've a great mind TO try it," said
Cora.
''To be sure, it seems queer" re-
flcclingly added Patience Potter, "for
Squire Arden's niece, that has just
given away hundred dollar silk
dress, to go out doing homework.
But, if you come to that, amt the
whole world full of discrepancies"
al don't mind that" said Cora;
"but must have little money of my
own
The tea-table at the Red House
RectOry looked very pretty, with its
fresh blackberries, golden custards,
snowy raised biscuits, and garniture
of verbenas and sweet geraniun'
leaves. Mrs. Dudley, who was one of
those overworked ministers wives who
are always in hurry, looked adj
miringly on.
GLOW nicely you have done it, my
dcar' said she. 81 declare, | never
thought that a few flowers could
br ghtcn up table so! But you're
not going?"
eyes, am" said Cora, intent on
fasteg,., creamy rosebud into Mrs.
Duds ss.ir; "unless, indeed, with
downcast eyes, ''you want me to wait
IN til, table"
"Wait on the table indeed? What
nonsen.e!'' said Mrs. Dudley. GAS if
you were a common maid-scrvant
No, certainly not! l wan ed You to
sit down with us, dear, and help the
berries and cream; and | should like
to introduce you to our guest"
al would rather take the baby out
in the garden while you are at tea,"
said Cora Arden; ''and then you can
have a little chance to eat and link in
peace"
And she escaped out of one door,
with the baId-headed hope of the
house OF Dudley in her arms, as Mr..
Dudley came in at the other, ushe"ing
the Reverend Ernest Vail!
And in the midst of their theologi-
cal converse, Mr.. Vail chanced to look
out of the window. where, under a
great branching apple tree 81 fair
young maiden showering roses over
the little one who lay growing or the
grass at her side.
"Who is that?" he asked, with a
little start.
"Our new maid" Mrs. Dudley an
swered, complacently. "The sweet
est girl you ever saw, a true lady by
bi til and education, only longing to
be independent"
"Oh!" said Mr.. Vail. "And you
call her"
"Cora."
'Indeed,' said Mr.. Vail. And he
astonished his reverend brother by
deluging with a fresh tide of cream the
berries he had already plcntifully
creamed.
''And never left drop for any one
clse!' Mrs. Dudley remarked after
ward. 81 think Mr.. Vail must be
subject to fits of abstraction"
This was in the middle of the month.
And at its close, a sealed envelope
came to Mr.. Vail, inclosing twelve
dollars. And upon the outside was
written: GA mite for the Missions. :"
Ernest Vail held the envelope up,
down and cross-wlse, and closely scru-
tinized the direction.
"It is in disguised handwriting, ="
he said to himself; "but think-nay,
| am almost sure it is Cora Arden's
way of making her ms and curling
the ends of her e's"
Just then his sister Nellie, the gem
eraI gossip of the family, came in.
I've fathomed the mystery of Mary
Wards magnificent black silk dress,
said she. ~ thought she couldn't
have afforded it out of her own
pocket. Who do you think gave 1t to
her?"
81 am sure | do not know" said
Ernest, rather listessly.
Cora Arden. 1t seems the poor
thing was crying over her meagre
trousseau; she has married an ambitious
Young lawyer, and naturally desired
to make a little show in the city =,
where she is going, and so Cora, in
ono of her magnanimous fits, bestowed
the hnndred-dollar silk upon her
Wasn't she a goose?"
al am not so certain of that" sal
the Reverend Ernest Vail, with soft