Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-08-14
SUCH A JOKE"
by KATE NJ. CLEARY.

BY KATE VI. CLEARY.
"1ou look just a5 sweet and ,ovely
as-asarose ~ exclaimed Miss Beecb?.
enthusiastically. doesn't she, girls ?'
Maida's pretty, soft cheeks flushed
at the iiowory praise. She revo,vcd
slowly on uptoe. that the girls might
get the effect of her new costume and
see exactly how well the skirt hung.
Nadia Merrill was one of the sales
women in the "Art Department" Of
one Of the great downtown dry-goods
stores. She and three other girls
boarded with Miss Vivicnnc Bcccle.
Maida's aunt, Mrs. Dewill, wise and
gentle little woman. whose husband
had died the previous year aud whose
loss she mourncd most deeply, boarded
there also.
/ 30 did the mother of one of tic
ether girls. 1t was distinctiyely
woman's boarding-house, and very
pleasant ono it was, indeed. The
meals, if not elaborate, were TEMPT
ingly cooked, end daintily served: the
beds were snowiIy draped, and com
Portable as the most fastidious could
wish; and the little lanllady herself
was the embo olimeut of Kindness and
courtesy. Altogether it was quite an
Ideal place-for four dollars week.
But sometimes Mazda could no. ..heln
interest in her affairs, as at present.
1t was holiday. With the consent of
Mrs. Devil she had promised 10 go
up the lake TO witness a celebration.
Harland Brownlee, the gentleman with
whom she was to go, had for some
time occupied quite an exalted posi-
ton IN the store wherein sac worked.
And his admiration had been made
frankly evident. If the other girls
were a trifle Jealous they were too
proud or teo well-bred TO II anifest the
fact. He was to call for her at half
past two. 1t was now exactly five
minutes past, and she was ready.
"You do really look very nice, my
DEAR" asserted her aunt, with de-
liberation which gave weight and
value to her precise words.
"Nice! That's no word 70; III
''Rcal stylish"
"ElcgantV'
SO criticised the girls.
Her dress was of a silvery summer
silk, which was draped in softly
picturesque folds. The lace tichu was
fastened with pin of pearls that had
been her mothers. The little gypsy
hat of shining gray straw was lined
with black velvet and encirsled by a
wreath of tiny pink blossoms. She
wore black silk mitts, and carried a
parasol covered with black lace. IfI
add that she possessed the short, deli
cate features one often observes among
girls of her class when one has vainly
sought the type in loftier circles, q
clear brunette skin, with just little
rose-color in the checks, brorze-gold
hair, large hazel eyes under the black
est of brows and shes, and sensitive
lips of scarlet. you will understand
why her friends gave her such embar-
RAISING praise.
"There is bust" some one cried.
Then the others, who were going
out TO hear the band at Lincoln Park,
called out to her gay goodbye and
hurried off.
Ten minutes past two! Fifteen!
"Maida," said Mrs. Devil, sudden
ly, "did yocr cousin stop at tho store
10 see you yesterday"
A quick flash of anger lit the hazel
eyes.
"Yes. And hope he will never
come again. don't like him. His
manner is Too free and easy. He IS
not gentleman, Aunt Let;ice."
my dear!" protested Mrs. Dewin,
feebly.
"'He Is not. A gentleman would
not press his attentions when he saw
they were unweleomc--as Elias Bas-
combe docs. He asked me TO go to the
Auditorium recital, the opera last
night, the matinee today. shall go
nowhere with him-nowhercI Ohm
in intense disgust, "thcre he is nowi"
Aud there he was indeed, drawing
up his pair of fine horses just outside
the door of tile modest little boarding
hoIse. lie leaped down. made all Sc
cure, san up the steps aud rang the
bell A few moments more. and
Della showed him into the room where
were Mrs. Dewill and Mazda.
He was large, stout man, wearing