The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-09-26

clIeerfulness about the quiet neighbor-
hood. At the hotel folks were early
astir. The new arrival and her daugh-
ters were served with a capital breakfast
III their rooms, thanks to the forethought
of the hospitable major, and the widow
comforts and convenionces that were to
be found in such an out of the way place.
| "My dears," she remarked to the girls,
"there are some advantages here after
all, although it is really a dreadful place
| for two young women like yourselves to
be secluded in. Now, Millie, that my
head is little better and begin to feel
| myself again, would like to know who
it was that sent us that cruel letter say.
! ing Jack had been killed. But here's
Jack himself. He may be able to en-.
tighten me on a matter that you don't
seem to care to talk about"
"Why, mother" said Jack, entering
the room, ''do you regret that am not
, dead after all, then?'
What question:" and for a moment
the tears seemed to be ready to spring
afresh to the poor woman's eyes. "Jack,
you know I didn't mean any such thing
as that. But it really was cruel. Here
is the letter. And when l expected to
hear all about funeral Millie, like the
light headed creature she is, goes off tc
writing and chattering about men I never
heard of. think have right to feel
aggrieved."
"But, mother dear, the girls were as
much surprised to find me alive and well
apparently as yourself. By the way, the
major is waiting to pay his respects. He
is capital fellow the major, mother. and
hope you will like him. lie has been
good to the girls; indeed, don't know
what they would have done without
him."
"He has indeed. mamma" said EN-.
"Maj. Black ia
"Emmelinev' interrupted the widow,
severely. I'm surprised to think that
you and your sister should fall SO readily
into the rude manners of the people OF
this place and talk about gentlemen
whom you cannot possibly know any.
thing of more than as casual acquaint.
ances. myself will thank Maj Black
for his fatherly care of you, for I'm sure
Jack here hasn't thought of such a thing"
Jack bit his lip.
Every well, mother. Just as you
please. Only permit me to suggest that
you should remember we are not in San
Francisco, and that society in mining
camp Is formed upon somewhat more
primitive lines than in cities. Don't ex-
pect too much in theway of etiquette
and social distinctions, and you'll get
along here famously."
"1ndeed, l propose to take the girls
home with mo as soon rs we can leave
this place." retorted the widow with
spirit. Your acquaintances may be
very kind, but it is clearly no place for
/ them. What would the Cadwalladers
and the Florences say if they knew that
Millie and En- We're boarding in mining
camp, the only women in the place?"
"My dear mamma" said Jack, impress
! sively, "you will be careful, please, not
to give unnecessary pain to any one here.
, for assure you they do not deserve it at
your hands, and it would ill repay oil the
real kindnesses they have paid to my
sisters since they came here. Besides,
they and you are the majors guests, and,
in sense, the guests of the Springs.
Why, they actually celebrated the ar
rival of EN- and Millie by taking holi-
day."
The widow looked pleased. 1t was
difficult to say whether vanity or graft
tude was uppermost, however.
81 confess the major is quite pre-
sentable sort of person." she said, pres
emily. "But he is hardly the kind of
man would care to have paying atten-
tions to either of my daughters. There
is too great disparity
"Oh, mammal" cried Millie, placing
her hand to her mothers lips. "Why
do you talk of such things?'
Ridiculous, mammal" interposed EN-,
with furious blush which did not es-
cape Mrs. Browning's watchful eye.
Jack laughed heartily.
"Why, mother" he said, 'the wind
doesn't set in that quarter, l hope. AT
any rate, you will let the major speak
for himself, and if he needs and deserves
the maternal rebuke, so ahead and let
him have it,"
Don't talk nonsense, Jack" exclaimed
the widow severely. "You know it's all
your own fault that this thing has hap
pened. You would come out to this ter
rible place, and knew something would
come of it,"
And it has, mother. You see, we're
all here together now, and that's certain
ly consoling. Now, if you have no OBJ
lection, I'll just step out and see who's
| around"
Outside he met Whipple and the major
To the latter Jack handed the letter his
mother had received, and which had
caused all the trouble. 1t was a note
written In a scrawling hand and Jonas
Black regarded it long and intently.
"Well, dog my cats!' he exclaimed.
"Ef don't believe it's Crenshaw's hand
write. I've seen it afore and it'd be iist
like the cur ter monkey with the mail
and then pay off the man as found him
out with trick like that It's Cren-
shaw, I'll lay my oath, and eff he wuz
around here at this partic'lar mint 1
wouldn't give an ounce of dust fer his
chances, eff the boys only knew about
this" and he held up the scrawl, his hon
est eyes blazing with indignation.
swell, major" said Jack philosophi-
cally, "the things over, and let 1t rest.
1t was mean trick, but as nobody is
the worse for it we'll let it drop. I'll ex-