Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-07-29
A BOX OF CHOCOLATES.


"Why," cried Eleanor Goode, sIfs
perfect palaceT'
'1sn't it7' echoed Miriam Kasson.
81 wish, dear, | could ask you to stay
and spend the day, but | dare not 4;
Pm too much of stranger here to
take any liberties"
"Oh, / shouldn't expect it!' said
Eleanor, looking around at The deco
rated ceilings, palo blue silk drapcries
and lovely bits of landscape oil the
walls. 81 know exactly how you're
situated, Milly, But can't you come
shopping with meH Bob has given
me a five-dollar-bill to buy a new
gown with, and there are some of the
sweetest Old-bluc ginghams at Tuck &
Nipp's."
Miss Kasson shook her head.
s'Impossible!" said she. "You see
the family have gore to Darlington to
q funeral and am left in charge.
And you don't know" she added with
-s-eogical little pursing up of the lips,
housekeeper, or how my heart beats
when feel myself compelled 10 give
an order TO the butler"
al wish 1 were youl' cried Elean-
or. at would be such fun!'
'One hardly knows" sighed Mir
lam, "whether one is a lady or a SER
vantP'
''Oh, there can't be much doubt of
thatP said Eleanor. "Look at yonr-
self in the mirror, dear. Wouldn',
you say that you beheld princess in
disguise?"
"Nonsense! But at least let me get
you a glass of cool water, Nell; YOU
look go flushed with your long walk. 4"
She slipped away, while Eleanor
beguiled the time of her absence by a
heightened survey of herself in the
mirror.
Yes, it was no unsatisfactory view
"a dimpled, rosy young Venus, with
sparkling hazel eyes, red lips and a
complexion of purest pink and white.
And them Good graciousi one of
the ribbon loops of her airy summer
dress had come loose. She looked
frantically around for a pin to repair
damages; b1t no pin was to be seen.
"TheY're in tho bureau drawer"
said she to herself. "Milly always
was too distfessingly neat for any
thing. Oh, here they arel" grasping
at paper of pins. "And here, too
oh, the delicious little gluttonl-here's
box of chocolate caramels, tied with
pink ribbon. I'll teach her to hide
her sweeties away from mel How
she will stare when she finds them
gonel"
1t was the act of moment to whisk
the bonbon box into her little shop-
ping-bag, and appear deeply absorbed
in repairing the damages to her ward
robe, when Miss Casson came in.
bringing glass of water and some
fancy crackers, on a small Japanese
tray.
By the time she reached the famous
emporium of Me e'srs. Tuck Il Nipp,
the "borgains" in old-Llue Iginghams
were gone. and nothing remained "Gt
to be seen" at any price to which she
could venture to aspire, and so she be-
took herself sorrowfulIy to the pretty
flat which she called home.
And none too soon; for telegram
awaited her there, announcing that
her mother. in Orange County, was
very ill, and it was necessary for her
to go thither at once.
AT the end of two weeks she
brought her mother home, nearly re-
covered.
Little Sarah, the youngest sister, re-
ceived her joyfully.
'Ifs been so lonesome without you,
Nell" said she. "Ive kept house
beautifully, only Biddy has scorched
the oatmeal every morning and the
coffee hasn't tasted just right, and Bob
has been so busy he couldn't find time
to go walking with me-"
"Busyl" satirically echoed Eleanor
ooh, but he really wasl He's got
a real case, Bob has; and ips awful
interesting, too. The judge assigned