Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-11-07
NOVEMBER


now. As you say, it amt easy to
choose among so many, and perhaps
its just as well TO trust to luck and
chance. Here goes, thenl"
"Mind,0 cried Lofty, 'you're to
shu your eycsl"
With leisurely movement, Alexan-
der put his hand down into the crown
of the old straw hat which Mrs. Crisp
held in her lap, and drew out slip of
paper.
"Who is it, Aleck?" cried Mrs.
Crisp. her old face all a-quiver with
nervous excitement.
"Vick lIaddon, I'll bet a cookey|
said Lofty, running to peep over
Alexis shoulder.
"No, it's Peninah Foster" said Mrs.
Crisp. 81 somehow feel it in my
bones that it's Peninahl"
Aleck, leaning toward the lamp,
hell up his slip of paper, and read
aloud the words:
charlotte Ansel"
Mrs. Crisp gave little shrek.
Lofty Anscl, standing there in the full
glare of the light, turned deep scar
let, and then ran out of the room.
"Come back, Lotty!" cried Mrs.
Crisp.
"Lottyl" called Alexander, in the
deep accent of a command.
But Lofty did not come back.
1t was almost ten o'clock. RI All the
lights but one were out in the one
storied wooden cabin where the Anscl
family lived, close to the mill.
"Don't let him come III, MOTHER" !"
sobbed Lofty, "That's his knock, |
know it is. If you do, I'll go and
drown myself in the mil-dam!"
"Don't be silly, child" said Mrs.
Ansel, stout, motherly soul, with her
gray locks twisted into tight knot at
the back of her head, and dark, laugh
ing eyes, like Lotty's own. You've
got TO see him some time or other
why not now?'
And she opened the door, in spite OF
Losy's protestations, to Alexander
Crisp.
The girl was crouched in corner,
with crimson cheeks and half-ave. ted
eyes, as he came in.
"Tt was your own idea," said Alex
ander, calmly.
"But l didn't put my name in. ]
never dreamed of such q thing-
never!" protested the girl.
II We drawn you by ioi, Eotty.
cit was only in joke" she per-
sisted.
cit may have been a joke to start
WITH said Alexander: "but it's got
past the joking point now. I'm in
serious earnest, and | mean what
say. Ny mother is all alone. Sh9
must not be left So For her sake,
Lofty, come back"
II won'tw flashed out Lofty.
"For mine then, Lofty? Dear little
Lofty! When tell y Il that life with
out you won't be worth farlhng?'
The long lashes fell; the color
mounted anew to the soft cheeks.
'PerLaps i ought = not - to =
leave Mrs. Crisp-alone," murmurcd
Lofty.
And the next moment she was clasp
ed in Alexis arms.
"But how came my name among the
slips of paper?" said Lofty, when she
was once more in the kitchen at the
Crisp house. "Who put it there?"
81 did," said Mrs. Crisp, calmly.
! liked You bctter'n any of the gals
whose names you counted over, AMI Z
thought you ought TO have as good a
chance as them. You're a mischicv-
ous piece, always maxim fun of every
body and everything, but there's a
g ood deal o. fun in you arter all,
Lofty Ansel. You aint vexed with me,
be you!"
"No," said Lofty. "Not now!"
Afterward, when Alexander had
gone out to lock up the barn, she crept
close to Mrs. Crisp and put her arms
around the old lady's withcred neck.
'1He says he has loved me this long
time" whispered she. "Oniy tic
thought | was too young to care for a
sober, middle aged fellow like him.
He didn't know, did he? And dear,
dear, Mrs. Crisp, of all the mothers
in-law in the world, shall love you
the bestp'
just then Alexander came in, and
nodded kindly toward the pair.
at wasn't such bad idea, sqid he
-''this drawing lots for a wife p
saturday Night.
Singular Faculty Of Lunatic.