Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-11-27

- 9Nut iHtIlcf lioFucc MDr9 ihI
"And is it Maurice Ware?" Clara
cried. "Oh, yes, they're the closest
old business friends!"
"lIe's my uncle; the jolliest fellow
In the world is Maurice Ware. How
is your father?'
Every WE'LL"
After all, his interest in her had
been on that account alone. She felt
oddly displeascd at the discovery.
And all the while she said to hcrselfl
"For shame! for shame!"
Which was the girl with whom she
had surprised him that morning? She
glanced vaguely about in search of a
like slender figure
Why did he keep his serene, COM
pelling gaze upon her? We're it not for
that, she felt that her stern good judg-
mcnt might return to her.
lie was byno means ovcr-solicitous;
he kept silence when he chose, and
merely looked at her, smiling.
"They have trimmed the latn very
pret;ily," Clara found herself saying,
almost timorou>ly.
"It is jolly he replied. That
arrangement of beech .boughs with
the nuts on's simply artistic"
YES; aud the red berried juni-
pers," she answered. "Y u, notice
such tliings2 50 do l."
II draw and paint in small way
when my business let's me-" lie re-
spondea.
"A..d ! work in water colors,"
Clara murmured.
1t seemed to strengthen Tie bond
which, in defnco of her inward re-
bellion, was fast forming between
them.
They were walizing now. lie had
not formally asked her, but they were
WALKING, and it seemed so strangely
natural and desirable and pleasant
that they should be!
She had heard of sentimental pco-
pie who, newly acquainted, had felt
as though they had known each other
long,. and laughed tat at. But she
knew the feeling now.
Sometimes their eyes met, but she
suffered no embarrassment. No bold
ness was in his look; only brightness
and frank contentment.
Was she charmed-hypnotizcd? she
wondered. dispairingly. She could
feel respect for him and interest and
liking, but nought else.
She caught the mischievous glances
of "The Vista" girls, Kit Kcon and
tie rest, on all hands.
"You didn't care TO meet him-Oh!p
Kit Keon breathed in her ear, gaily
and mockingly, as she whirled past.
1t seemed TO Clara that tho whole
lively assemblage was cyeing item
that they al! knew how subtly and ir-
responsible she was drawn to him--yes,
and how her troubled heart was rebel
ling.
But she did not care, somehow, if
everybody knew everything. She was
floating dreamily about, conscious that
she had never before been quite so un-
reasonably happy, conscious that her
cheeks were red and her eyes bright
and her prudence dircfuly flown.
"Why can't you give me the next?'
said Mr.. Ware, in the masierful man
ncr which she could not resist.
But he paused with her, instead, at
the great open door, and found her a
seat where the fresh night ait cooled
her warm face, upon which, standing
over her, his eyes rested.
"There's Simmons he said, smil-
ing at sight of somebody circling past
them, his arm rather closely about,
and his head rather low above, his
partner-"Jack Simmons. Hes atlhe
Milford; too,~ ON knOw-c3ane up be-
cadsc I'm here. We are good friends.
To say Jack simmons to anybody at
home is to speak volumes. He's called
Rncketty Simmons frequently, and
fear he suits the name. We were
rather respectable over at the Milford
before Jack arrived; now we haven't
any dignity remaining. He does what
ever strikes his reckless fancy. lie
weakened the hammock rope the otheI
day, so that Mr.. Haines, who is par
tiaI to it, and weighs 1870, would come
down; and he did"
Clara laughed into her loOsened
bunch of daisies.
lie took one aud carelessly
fastened it on his lapel.
"And This morning." he went on
.'this morning capped the climax. He
has professed an extreme admiration
for the togs | tramp around in--for
my red cap especially. Well, this