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

During his years Of seclusion, Phil
ip had imbibcd love of chemistry,
and fitted up little room with ncces-
sary apparatus for experimental re
searches. Passing this that same
afternoon, Agatha saw him, with a
half-mask drawn over his face, busted
over his phials; and she paused by the
door, which was slightly ajar.
"May ] come in?" she asked.
He turned, motioning her back.
"No, not now. l am cndeavoring
to discover an antidote for poison
bio ON, and am dealing with chemi-
Gals scarcely less deadly. If | risk
the lives of others by keep ng such a
dangerous pet, it is but fair that
should jeopardize my own to insure
their security"
els not your life precious?" she
asked, reproachfully.
"Stinted and barren, how can il
be! However, | have led you to over
estimate the danger. Only inexpe-
rienced hands would create it here"
''Bearding the lion in his den"
cried Mrs. Redbrookc, coming down
the passage. "Agatha, l wonder at
your tcmerity. Is he very formida-
ble?1
Laughing, she looked over Agatha's
shoulder in her brothers laboratory.
GO away, both of YOU cried
Philip. 81 shall be tempted to pro-
woke an explosion, if the labors of
science are TO be thus interrupted
Alice, take charge of that young lady,
if you don't want the house demolished
about your cars"
"Come, then, my dear. Mr.. Nal
lard is in the parlor; lie will apprc-
ciate you"
"Oh, dear!' sighed Agatha, NOV
ing away. "That beardless boy!"
Philip, hearing her. strokcd his own
luxuriant hirsutc growth with proud
fondncss, and, smiling, resumed his
task. lie went down, hours later,
weariod and disappointed.
''The anlidote," asked Agatha, "did
you discover it?'
"No; but l am sanguine still. Sim
pie failure does not necessarily imply
defeat"
Still the object of his search eluded
him; but repeated failures only served
To increase his resolution. Early and
late, Agatha knew him 10 be in his
laboratory, working with scarcely
diminished zeal. Then, one day came
when her lite room did not witness
his presence; nciti5r- vssae.~ ~. =
within the family circle. Agatha
wandered restlcssly about until Mrs.
Redbrooke came. and changed her
vague uneasiness into a settled, dull
pain, which weighed heavily down
upon her.
ooh, Agatha, my sweet friend
the lady began, sit is coming out like
a romance-plots, misunderstanding
and the usual happy finale. / told
you of PhiPs early disappointment,
you remember We all thought Flora
Macy treated him very badly; but 1t
appears that the poor girl was i'm
posed upon by some ridiculous stories
to his discrcdit, and was persuaded by
false representa- ions into her mar
riage with her cousin. 1t was her
fathers doing, to keep the Macy es-
tate unbroken. But she is a widow
now, and has written to Phil, explain
ing it all. Poor girl! To think of
our blaming her so, when she has
really suffered most"
''IIe has gone to herr" Agatha
asked, cons:raincdly.
mo. lie is quite overcome by the
news, aud has locked himself in his
bed-chamber. But have planned a
surprise for him. am going for
Flora without his knowledge. You
shall accompany me if you wish, my
dear"
Agatha pleaded an excuse and went
away; while Mrs. Redbrooke, never
knowing the mischief she had uncon-
sciously wrought. proceeded on her
well intended mission.
Philip, coming down in the dusk,
paused at the door of the yet unlightcd
parlor.
"AgatLa, are you there? have
found my antidote at last"
\ figure that was not Agatha's float
cd out of the DINNER shadows CT the
room. his hand was imprisoned in the
clinsing clasp of soft. white fingers,
his pardon imp!ored by voice broken
with fearful sohhlng.
n0h, Phil, Phil Can you forgive
and forget, | have suffered 80 f0y ny