Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-08-21

Ayrault, tho member Of Congress
elect from the --- District, who
brought his daughters 10 Jacksonville
in order to accelerate the slow con-
yalescencc Of Fanny, the youngest,
who was just up from scarlet fever.
'lBat Gladys is always discovering
hidden treasures. / wouldn't like to
count the number Of times that her
swans have been transformed back
into geese before her very eyes; ch,
f4nYs
But Alice is really gem, papa"
d1arcI Fanny, siding audaciously
WI b her sister.
~ (which is Aliee2 The little girl
wTn tho curly hair?1 asked Colonel
Ayranit.
eyes, papa. Do be kind TO her;
wioa't your She is some relation Of
Mrs. IIadgiifs, and she's certainly a
lady by manner and education"
81 try to be kind to everybody;
don't I, FAM" archly asked the colonel.
"Yes, papa; but Alice is SO scusi-
i've"
"pm sorry for her, then, said Col
onel Ayrault. "lf she has her own
-gay to make in tho world, sensitive
nature is a SORRY endowment. And
now Gladys, get your pen and ink. !
want you 10 write some business let
iers for me-"
Rather unwillingly, Gladys laid
down her novel and went to look for
her desk. In tho bedroom beyond,
Alice SayiIle was jnst hanging clean
towels over the rac, and rcplenishing
the solid old cwers with fresh water.
"oh, Alice said She, "can't you
spare few minutes. to write some
letters for papa? You write such a
beautiful, clear hand; and--'
Alice colored little, but answered
Certainly" with all due promptness,
and Gladys brought her triumphautly
into the sitting room.
"IIere's an amanuensis, papa said
she, ''that will bring you deal more
credit than can ever do
1t was Alice Savile's frs. lesson in
wiring from dietaiion. but she ac-
quilted herself nobly, and Colonel
Ayrault expressed himself as entirely
satisfied. But when the work was
finished and She had blushingly with
drawn, tho mcmber Of Congress looked
laugaingly across tie table At Gladys.
"My daughter said he, ''hege is
the key 10 the rid1lc.'
"What key, papa2 sal! Gladys.
"Wbat riddIc?1
"Don't you remember said he,
"tho mysterious manuscript
Fanny jumped up and clarpel her
hands.
..whatp' cried she, ..the stray
leaves about Sir Alexis and the beau
tiful Geraldine Aubrey that were
found scattered about in the orchard
that day after tho gale?n
eExactly,n said th3 member Of
Congress. "And this handwriting is
exactly the same"
"Oh, papa" cried Gladys, amay
congratulate her on being able 10 i'm
agine so beautiful a story-io turn it
into such exquisite language?"
no." said Colonel Ayrault. "Say
nothing at ALL Don't you sec how it
might embarrass her?a
"But she really must be genius
papa, was the opinion of Gladys,
prone to hero-and-heroine worship.
"Aha" laughed Fan. "IIow about
my rara avis now? Isn't she really
and truly a white swan? Whittier
than any lily?p
After this, Alice saville was the
chosen companion and favorite of the
member Of CONGRESSES two daughters,
rather to the surprise and critical re-
marks Of the other boarders.
II amt bit surprised said Uncle
Brom. ashe Wa, brought up TO be
lriy, and a lady she'll be to tic end of
alc chapter, no matter if she was
serubbia' floors or seourin tins
F51t ono day Gladys forgot her
fathers words of caution and un-
reveald to Alice Saville
how she and Fan had found The miss
idg pages all blown about the orchard.
III her surprise Alice burst into tears.
arid Gladys, in her panic and uncer-
fainty, ran into the other room where
Col. Aryault was writing as usual.
aPapat' she cried, ''papa. do come
in here AMI sec if you can COM
foft Alice"
Tie girl} tears werc dried in an
instant. But Colonel Ayrault rallied
her a little after a playful fashion.
and showed her the very rain-stained
eLonts tl,at Ia Io1 fo,,ud