Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-08-28

earnest. LEST, to use your own
words, you should turn out an edged
tool"
Valencia made him no answer; she
only compressed her lips until they
were mere scarlet thread. And when
she camc back to Mrs. Cayendish's
workroom the next day, she was lit
tie paler than usual.
81 don't understand it," said Mrs.
Cayendish, one day.
'sDon't understand whatP" said Miss
Gay, the forewoman.
That Miss Morcl is so fever
isllly anxious to attend personally to
all the wedding orders. ] used to
send Mademoiselle Florine, but Miss
Morcl has asked it, as favor, to bo
allowed 10 go; and size really has an
excellent idea Of STYLES and trimmings,
and gives great satisfaction. But
what her fancy is | can't tell"
'Some girls have All absolute
mania on the subject Of weddings,
sad Miss Gay, elevating her brow.
But Valencia Morcp.s motive was
deeper far than any Of which Mrs.
Cagcndish and here forowoman could
drs am. Aud one day her quest met
wi hits reward
Frs. DoFraHee was u widow, fat,
far and forty; aud Mrs, Dorrauee
COZ cmpIased second matrimonial
all tnce. Aud while she was giving
M4.. Eavendish's Young woman her
OPTION about the wedding dress.
ybbncia's eyes fcll apona photograph
II s1. NIaa:ssee'E fair,
false face. Her her heart gave a great
throb-tho deep crimson famed into
her checks.
$50 you arc going to be married
again?" said she, drawing a long
breath. "Bul-I beg your pardon for
the remark-isn't it running a great
risk"
ooh, don't know" said Mrs. Dor
rance, laughing. Life is full of
risks"
GA friend of mine is going to be
married to a widow, too." said Valen-
cia, 'And you should hear him talk
about her! But, then, to be sure,
widows differ"
every much in love, eh?" said the
widow, simpering.
"Weil. not exactly that" SAID Va
lencia. ellis widow must be dread
fully old. He says SHE'S about the age
of his motherm
ooh, dear me?" said Mrs. Dorrance;
"that is dreadful"
But she was evidently interested,
and sat with the samples of white reps
and dovc-colorcd satin in her hand,
looking at Miss Mofei. ~ '~'.''
"And plain. too," added Valencia.
"IIe calls her his Medusa!"
i" Hateful old thing!" said Mrs.
Dorrancc, briskly. "What business
has she to be angling for husband at
her time of lifc?"
"But she's rich," added Valencia.
g That accounts for it." said Mrs.
Dorrancc.
"Oh, yos." said Miss Morel. that
accounts for it,"
" You-you never heard him men
ton her name. did you?" said Mrs.
Dorrance, little uneasily.
"Oh, dear, no ma'am." said VAL
cucia. "Did you say you would pre-
fer the stone-gray faille, or"
II really don't know why ]. should
feel any curiosity upon the subject"
interrupted the widow, laughing arti-
iicially; "but if your friends name
isn't secret"
ooh, no secret at all, I" said Valencia.
at is Maurice-Captain Hector
Maurice"
"Good gracious!" said the widow,
dropping all her samples in a glisten-
ing shower.
"You don't mean 10 say that You
know him, maam?' said Miss Morel,
in well-feigned astonishment
"'Know himr said Mrs. Dorrance,
tanning herself violently. "Irs the
very man | am engaged to! But
won't marry him; no, that l never
willp
Valencia clasped lIcr hands theatric-
ally.
"Ohl" cried she, ''what have | said
Please, please, dear madam, forget my
foolish chatter. Il had know"
'If | had known!" interrupted the
widow. "Medusa, indeed! Old enough
to be his mother, forsooth! But he
shall never have the handling of my
money!"
And Mrs. Dorrance rang the bell for
her maid, and went off into violent
Mysteries.
No wedding outfit was made up for