Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-06-30

ASIkAEN. AAOAAN VA N4AG Al - &%Ao%s
with his hands in his pockets. Il can't
understand the spell that has bewitched
Rapparee and all those other bug mani
acs. A live butterfly, now. flying about
in the sunshine-one could appreciate
that. But dead mummy, stuck up be-
hind glass box, with a pin thrust
through it--faughl"
Aunt ZiIlah laughed again.
~Come to dinner, said she. You're
a regular Philistine, Mark, and always
was!"
"But say, Aunt Zillah, broke out
the young man, after the apple pie and
cream syllabubs had been duly dis
cussed, ~why don't you let Beck have
chance of cultivating that sweet little
pipe Of herss"
"Rebecca can sing well enough now.
@But little culture"
@Pshaw!" said Aunt Zillah.
"Those city choir singers"
"We amt the cityi" pronounced the
old lady. @And / can't afford to throw
good money down Rebecca's throat, and
need all her time and strength to help
me with the housework; so let there be
an end of the matter.
The shadow of the old traditions lin
gered above Marcus Offiey yet. grown
man though he was, and fighting his way
in the world.
When Aunt Zillah said, "Let there be
an end of the matterl" in that autocratic
manner, he felt exactly as he had when
she boxed his 10 year old ears and sent
him to school.
"It's quite true what Beck says, I" OBJ
served he, pulling the tortoise shell col
ored cats tail "A man does have bet
ter chance in this world than woman.
Beck says some very foolish things,
remarked Aunt Zillah. -And they're
most of 'em put in her head at the par
sonage. I've most mind to forbid her
going there SO much. But come, Mark
get your hat. want you to go out
and see the new Alderney calf. It's as
pretty as picture!"
The temporary ripple produced in the
dead calm of Dingford life by the brief
visit of Mr.. Offley, the New York jour
nalist, had subsided, and Mr.. Villars, the
village clergyman. was sitting in his
study, cutting the leaves of new theo-
logical review, when the door opened
and in few dark haired olive complex
ioned maid, closely followed by his own
youngest daughter, Selinda.
PLEASE, Mr.. Villars, painted Rebecca
Biggins, what is to become of me?"
Mr.. Villars laid down his review and
looked hard at her.
My dear, said he, @you seem to have
been walking rapidly. Sit down and
rest.
"Walking?" she echoed. "Tve run
every step of the wayl I've run away
from Aunt Zillah. She says Pm thief
that I've stolen her blue butterfly and
sold it; else, she says, how can have got
the money to take that first lesson at
the conservatory? And she won't
believe that earned every cent
of it by picking wild strawberries for
the hotel people topreserve; and she says
I'm thief, and-and-p
"This is very remarkable, said thepar-
son. My child, don't cry. You are quite
welcome to remain here until you can
settle this strange misunderstanding in
some way.
Il told her so, papa, said Selinda-
@But the blue butterfly" resumed the
parson. "Do understand"
"Itisgone, explained Rebecca-@gone
out of the case entirely. Some one has
stolen itl"
"This is most remarkable" said Mr..
Villars, getting up and beginning to pace
the room.
1T must be burglar, said Selinda.
Burglars are not, as rule, interested
in chronological collections, said the
parson.
Besides, j" added Rebecca, nothing
else is missing. It certainly is unaccount-
able. And OH to be called a theft /
couldn't endure it; had to run away
with both hands over my earsl
@Your good aunt, my dear, forgets
that you are IS, said Mr.. Villars And
she is rather an imperious woman and
masterful in her way.
@But no self respecting girl can endure
an insult like that, said Selinda, the
champion.
mo, faltered Rebecca, II couldn't.
And so I didn't know where else to 60,
and came here.
~You darlingl" whispered Selinda;
ayou came to exactly the right place.
And Randolph win be so glad when he
hears of itl"
Don't, Selindal" said Becky, coloring
very red.
At the old higgins farm house Aunt
Zillah had reached down her dusty glass
ink bottle and the cedar stick pen handle,
to which steel pen was carefully tied
with piece Of sewing silk, and was
lab0riously concocting letter 70 Marcus
Ofley, in New York, relating to the sad
story of Rebecca's guilt
Now and then as she wrote a tear
dropped down ON the page-for in her
heart the sharp tongued domineering old
lady had been very fond Of her niece.
II don't want to be unjust 20 anybody
wrote Aunt Zfllah. t.buk since can no longer
place any confidence tn the child. would like
70 have your advice Is to where can provide
for her and whether AZ a0me asylum or fold