Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-10-24
A BAD MISTAKE.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.
"Where is Lois?" said Mrs. Clymer,
pettishly. at does seem as if we
were perpetually losing sight of her.
I'll never take charge of any one again,
while I'm travelling, as long as /
livel"
Mrs. Clymer was dressed in pearl
gray mohair, with perfectly fitting
gray gloves, dlstingue eyeglasses, and
boots that had come straight from
Paris.
Adele Clymer, with hair of crepe
gold, deep dimples in cheek and chin,
and a gown that represented the very
latest fashion plate, stood languidly
at her side, with skye terrier whin-
ing in her arms and scent-bottle
dangling from her wrist, and little
MabePs yellow curls aud tapping
brimmed Gainsborough that brought
up the rear not unpicturesquely.
"Lois is so odd, mamma" said she.
'Lois is holding that cross baby so
that its nurse can 20 to the refresh
ment counter and get cup of coffee.
The mother has got a two-year-ol
child on her lap that she can't leave. 4"
"Goodness me! And such common
people!' said Mrs. Clymer, with an
angry futter of her fan. "What can
the child be thinking of? Call her,
Mabel, at once!"
"But they're such pretty children.
mammal" pleaded Mabel, with wistful
glances at the other end of the great,
! echoing station.
do be quietn said Mrs. Clymer.
"Adele, tell your cousin | desire she
win join us at. once in the drawing
room car-the Osceola, / believe it is
called"
"There is such crowd at that end
of the depot" said Adele, unwillinglv.
"And Ponto is so restlessl Can't
Mabel go, mammal
The gates. were opened at that mo-
ment, ard in her refined anxiety to
avoid contact with the vulgar crush
and crowd, Mrs. Clymer fastened
through, closely followed by Adele,
tenderly carrying the discontented dog,
Ponto, who whined perpetual protests.
"This is something like comfort" !"
said the cold-visaged matron, as she
settled down into "Chair No A."
spread out her skirts and opeued her
+ fan. ''Do sit down, Adele, and give
i Ponto a chocolate. The little dear is
so fretfulI Porter, pull down the
shade and bring me foots ool. Adele,
your hair is all coming out of crimp
with the heat. This weather is per-
fectly uncomfortable. What can have
sasas's Il - .s sss;s -
comes!"
"Mamma," whispered Mabel, put
ting her cherry lips close to her
mothers well-powdered ear, "Lois
isn't going to travel in the drawing
room car"
''Not going to travel in the drawing
loom car. And why not, should
fke to know?" cried Mrs. CIymer,
bristling up,
Lois Wardour herself appeared in
the luxuriously curtaHed doorway of
the "Osceola" to answer this query.
She was tall, slight girl. with an
ivory pale complexion, large blue eyes,
full of pleading lights, and a serious.
I"sweet mouth, like Raphuefs Madonna.
and she was dressed with a simplicity
of inexpensive attire that contrasted
curiously with the elaborate toilettes of
her cousins, the Clymers.
"Lois," cried the fretful matron,
"where on earth have you been? You
keep me in constant worry. Do sit
down and be quiet for few minutes,
if yo@~san That's your seat..z.Na; L.
indicating the least comfortable one,
next the sunny window.
"Thank you, Cousin Elfrida," said
Lois, quietly, "but, if you don't mind,
will not go in the Osceolal The other
cars are very comfortable, and, :"
slightly reddening, ''there is a consid-
cradle difference in the fare"
"It's dollar and half extra in the
Osceolal" shrilly put in Mabel. 81
heard the conductor tell the fat man so
just now"
"And," added Lois, ga dollar and
half is some consideration to me.
And there is a recently widowed lady
in the other cal, with a great many
little children, to whom / can be of
use. If you don't mind, I'll go back
into the ordinary car"
"But l do mind, very much,
said Mrs. Clymer, tossing h r head.
awe Clymers are always accustomed
to travel first-classl"
"I am not Clymer," said LOIS,
with n faint smile.