Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-12-02
A BOLD STROKE.

"You really mean it, Mary ?'' She
mustered courage and looked up at
him. 1t was more of an effort of late
than it used to be TO meet those clear,
quiet eyes of his.
Really, Jack.r'
Oh, she did so hope he wouldn't
make a scenel She hated. scenes /;
and what good would be gained by so
doing? But she might have known
him better than that. He was brave
enough to take his blow without an
outcry.
"Tell me one thing more. Mary.
Is there any one else ?''
She did not answer for moment.
On either cheek came out pink glow.
Then she said in low voice
Yes ~
The sensitive lips under the brown
heard were compressed in a stubborn
line. No need to ask the name of his
rival. He turned to go.
She put out her hand to him with a
little depreciating gesture.
You're not angry, Jack 20 with q
hmidity new to her.
He smiled, but with more sadness
than mirth, as he clasped her fingers
in his nervous grasp.
"Of course not, dear ~
He could not all at one put aside
the old, affectionate manner of speech.
1t was hard to give her up. And
how pretty she looked, standing there
in her home dress of some soft, dark
stuff, her hair gathered back in a knot
of crinky sunshine, her lips parted, a
little grieved. half-frightened look in
her uplifted eyes.
He had thought of her, hoped for
her, planned for her, so long; had
been so sure of her, too, till Just a
month ago. And nowI
She went into the hall with him.
You will come and see us some
times,n she faltered, as you used
to?n
He shook his head.
I'm afraid not. May I?'' and
then, as she did not turn away, he
bent and kissed her on the forehead.
"God bless you, dearv' a trihe
hoarsely; and he was gone.
She had only done what dozens Of
girls do daily when she thrust aside a
good fellow and a loyal lover for a
more dashing suitor.
Rejecting on the subject one is
tempted to agree with the cynic who
asserts that a woman's choice is in
fluenced by the probable opinion Of
other women.
She had known Jack Scovil-oh,
ever since she was a rosy tot and he a
big, awkward school-boy She had
sent him valentines. and looked
eagerly for his birthday gift, and
pricked her poor little fingers working
him slippers, and taught him how to
waltz, and laughed at the verses in her
album over which he had puzzled and
pored in revision for hours; and
bought magnifying glass for watch
ing the development of his mustache,
as she gravely assured him when that
promising adOrnment was three weeks
old, and succeeded in making him
supremely happy, whatever she did,
till she went to the Armory ball a
month ago with Harvey Campbell-a
stranger, who had come to Eumala one
fine day and taken by storm. half the
unappropriated hearts in town, and
dazzled the men with vague, mag
niicent projects as to his possible in
vestments.
He was tall, broad-shouldered
man, thirty or thereabouts, with a
pair Of flashing black eyes and fero-
ciOus military mustache.
One of his very first acts was to
present at the splendid stone house
upon the hill the letter of introduction
he carried. 1t was most cordial in its
character and the writer was an old
and intimate friend of Mrs. Miller, a
retired New York banker. This, of
course, gave him the entree to the
home of the wealthiest girl in Car
roll county, as Mary Miller was des-
ignated. Such good use had he made
of his opportunity that she now, after
a bare months acquaintance, wore his
ring of betrothal.
When she showed it to her particu-
lar friend, Jennie King, that straight
forward young lady looked up
earnestly.
Do you really love him. Mary ?''
"Of course''-lightly. Who could
help it?''
Jennie knit her thin, dark brows.
But why ?''
Her neighbor's red lips took on a
bewitching curl as she shrugged her
pretty shoulders.
"Oh, because he loves me, and is
as handsome as hero out of Byron !;
and all the girls in town-half any
way-are crazy about him: and he has
such charming manners, and
Here she broke down.
And ?'' suggested Jennie. gravely.
And that's all you practical little
wretch You ought to be a lawyer.
Isn't it enough ~
But Jennie onlv shook her positive
little head.
don't think sos
Mary caught her round the waist
and whirled her away down the grand
drawing-room.
g Now stop being dismal. or shan't
LET you be my bridesmaid. This is
tae middle of April. I'm to be mar
ried the 10th of May; Harvey is
furious that | won't consent to the end
If this month. but I couldn't possibly
10 it, you know. Wen be rushed to
death as it is. Oh, by the way, Jen-
ME, all this is asecret. Mr.. Campbell
has reasons for wishing the whole
affair to be kept quiet as long as pos
sible."
The fact Of the engagement was
suppressed, but the preparations for
tie wedding went rapidly on. Mr..
IIarrison's letter and Campbelrs own
assurances had satisfied Mrs. Miller as
60 the social and financial standing Of
the gr0om-elect.
And Just as she was one day con-
graduating herself on the same. who
should walk in but Mr.. Benjamin
Harrison.
Down vour way. and couldn,f nasa