The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-04-03

had announced her intention many years
ago of t'marrying her Phil.n This was at
the time of the missing tooth, and radish
dolls, and fishing with crooked pins, etc.
1t gave the Colonel quite a comfortable
and perfectly natural glow to think that
Boughton's father was wealthy, and their
old place one of the handsomest in Virginia.
Also he recalled with satisfaction the fact
that only two years ago Master Phil him
self had graduated with honors at the
L'Ecole des Pont ct Chausses in Paris. A
very good thing it would be, the Colonel
told himself-and perhaps they would re-
main with him at Carylon for some years
until in fact Here the Colonel, who had
been getting sober and soberer, sighed
rather heavily.
Then Judith looked up for the first time,
but not at Boughton.
"Why do you sigh, dad, deara" she said,
quickly.
ooh, I reckon I'm hungry" said the
Colonel, with delightful provincialism: stI'm
going to hurry 'em up"
Exit the Colonel.
AS he left the room Boughton again res
cued Judith's ball, this time from fat,
black Xxi ten in a Toby-collar, and handed it
! to her.
s.Thank YOU" said she again.
Here was an excellent opportunity for
that graceful speech, but somehow he did
not give it voice. He asked her what she
was making. She replied that she was
making purse for Dick.
ttOh yes, Dick,'' said Boughton. stHe's
at the university now, isn't hea Do you
remember when taught you two to skate,
how you used to go sailing about and come
down bang -whang, and never mind it a bit,
and how poor Dick used to wobble and yell
when he came cropper2"
sDick skates extremely well," said Miss
Page with excessive dignity-''far better
than do.n She rose after releasing her
foot from the gray web, and began winding
her silk aboutthe long wooden skewer with
which she had been working. II have a
few things to attend to before dinner. Pray
excuse me,r she said, finally, turning to
him, and then left the room without further
ceremony.
Boughton sank down into the little satin
puffed chair, which was yet warm with en-
bracing her, and began pondering many
things in his heart. He was just begin
ming to think that perhaps he had behaved
like a beast after all, aud owed her an apol-
ogy, when solemn voice at the door said:
"Dinner am sarved, sab"
Turning, he saw that this voice proceeded
from person inextricably tangled with his
childhood's experiences. It was none other
than Uncle Eden, the major domo of Cary
lon-an individual as black of hide as he
was white of teeth and soul; for Uncle
Eden had "got 'ligion" at the age of ten.
He was so black as to be the possessor of
bloom like that on damssn, and had a pale
pink scar down one check, which gave his
skin the appearance of black satin having
ripped over rose-colored lining.
He hesitated moment wtren he saw Phil,
and then burst into Q deep chuck1e as his
whilom tormentor started forward and took
him by both hands.
suncle Eden" said he, "you don't look
q day older than you did twelve years ago.
stDon' /, Marse Phill Bless yo' ha'atl
'Cep fur yo' whlskerers I'D dun ben know
yuh time sot eyes ON yuh. LORI it don't
seem day since was jerkin yuh out er
dat ar tub Nv soft soap whar yuh wuz a.
tishin' fur Miss Judy's shoe, she don drap
in it. Yuh sut'n'y is looking peart. Hi!
dar-dat's de Cun'l-good-bye till bime by"
The dinner was success. When is dim
ner not success with hungry folks? There
was green goose with gooseberry sauce.
Boughton had not tasted green goose for
twelve years. He thought French dishes
fade and commonrlaae heside it. And after
Inner he had another glass of "Colonel
Pages own"
The next day there was to be fox-hunt.
They were to start at six o'clock sharp,
the Colonel told them, and Phil was to ride
the Coloners favorite, "Trumpeter," as
"Hautboy" was lame, and Judith pre-
ferred great sun-colored brute, rejoicing
in the name of " Eyebrows p-why, no one
ever knew, as the gallant steed certainly
possessed none. He had blazed face and
a sullen eye, and enough daylight under
him to have illuminated st. Peters
every coign Of disadvantage. But
Boughton found that his rider had
way of pulling him along that told some
how, and the great raw beast jumped like
grasshopper.
1t was pretty sight as they rode out the
next morning. The sun was just rising be-
mind zone OF dull gray clouds. Beryl-
green and topaz-y yellow met with the soft
ness Of a kiss in mid-heaven, and the moon,
wan, as though with much watching, crept
down behind the naked acacia trees to the
left. Over the brown lawn there was
light powdering of snow, and there was
keen wind abroad, together with much
rustling of wlthered grass and trees.
They had some hot coffee, which Judith
poured out for them, and the remains of
the green goose. and then they set out at
huntsman's jog for the meet.
Judith had plenty to do in attending to
Eyebrows, who was disposed to coquette
with every dead leaf that blew across his
way, and Trumpeter was sufficient OF
handful to keep Boughton's mind complete
ly upon himself.
UAh, there's the musicp' called the
Colonel, at last, over his shoulder. ''Keep
his head, Judy. He'd bolt in a minute if
he thought he could"
They could hear the yow-yowing of the
hounds now, fitfully borne toward them and
away by the tiuctuatiug wind.
tQnce," said judith, beginning to speak
all of sudden, 'afriend brought German
baron-ever such O swell he was-to see
dad He stopped at Carylon about q week,
and dad, of course, took him out hunting.
You know dad can never resist calling any
ones attention to the hounds when they're
giving tongue. He says he's far better
able to appreciate such harmonies than
Beethoven or Mozart. Well, we had gotten
just about here, and dad-dear dad shall
ever forget his faoel--sald, There, sir did
you ever hear such music in your life, siri'
aVerel vereF said the baron, eagerly, twist
ing all about in his saddle and holding
on to his horse's name. Vat musickl
can't hear no musick vor tose tam tawgs'D
"Hai hal hal, Numbered Phil, who
was equally delighted with this anecdote
and the sudden breaking of the ice between
them. sn..A--