Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-09-30

lie said nothing of her fidelity; he
was only afraid she might lose the
beauty he worshippeI.
GFacc was sorry to lose her lover; /;
she felt desolaic for who.c day and
cried herself to sleep tho first night.
But Bernard wrote her charming lct-
ters of travel aud she soon forgot her
grief. She sent him in returl the
briefcst of notes, for the charming
Grace did not excel asst corrcspon-
dent. But one glance at tho porcc-
lain picture he carried consoled him
for That.
IA fellow can endure weak, insipid
letters" he thought, "bctter than the
sight of plain face across his table
three times tay."
BERNARD lui'ercd here and there,
then mado his way slowly back. lie
was in no haste TO reach Chicago until
u few weeks before the time appointed
for his marriage, which was TO take
place in early autumn. Orc morning
In July he rang the bell of the Mum
son mansion and sent up his card TO
tho ladies. There was a step on The
stair, the trail of garment and a
woman entcred-a woman OF medium
height, with a beautifully rounded
figure and face of dazzling bril-
liancy. She approached Bernard aud
cordially extended her hand.
II camo down to make your wei
come a little less inhospilablc, Mr..
Norton" she said. ''My aunt and
cousin are unfortunately at concert;
they were not aware of your return.
You are quite well? | do not find you
so much changed as expected"
lie looked at the charming speaker
in mule wonder.
al beg pardon-I-P'-hc began.
Her face was a ripple of smiles as
she regarded him, waiting for him 10
proc ell.
81, it possible am 50 changed that
you do not know me? Have three
years aged Clarice Barton so much3
For the first time in his life Bernard
Norton lost his composure. lie sank
into chair with an ejaculation of
wonder.
"Claricc Darton!' he cried. "Why,
il dots not seem possible! When did
you return"
"Nearly two months ago." Miss
Barton replied with her wcll-bre.l
composure as she gracefully seated
herself. "AIy dear mother died in
Rome last winter; Europe was unen-
durable aftor that, so | came back TO
America.
"But you are SO changcd!" Bernard
murmurcd, after expressing regret at
her loss.
Miss Barton smiled sadly.
"Thc years change us oil" she said ;
'.thcy leave their mark"
"Oh, il is not thal!" he fastened to
say. "You look not a day older than
when | last saw you; but-pardon
my boldncss-you are wonder ully
improved"
81 am like my mothers people. "
Clarlce answered quietly. "Thcy all
mature late; aud the climate of Italy,
where | remained most of the timc,
was very beneficial TO me. | hope to
return in the course of a few months" p"
They fell to talking of their travels
aud ~ o'clock struck before Norton
thought they had been chatting twenty
minues. At that moment the hall
door changed and steps came towards
them. lie arose TO his feet
"Impossib'el" he SAID, looking at
his watch. al cannot have been here
an hour. Really
What he would have said remained
unsrokcn, for Mrs. Munsjn and Grace
appeared in tho doorway. His be-
tro,lIcd was very bccomely dressed,
but so faded that she seemed like the
ghost of he. former self. Three years
of society had done their work. The
check had lot its bloom. the nose was
sharpcued and the beautiful eyes
lacked lnstrc. AS she stood beside
Clarice for m ment she seemed ut
tcrly cclipscd by her once plain cous-
in.
The meeting of the lovers was COLI
strained, and Bernard took his depart
urc. promising TO call the next day,
which he did. Grace Informed him
that he must wait patiently for two
more weeks before he could see her
often, as she had engagements for
every hour.
"But you and Claricc can console
each oillcr," she said. alt will be
plea ant to compare notes of travel" !"
Bernard was not slow to avail him.
self of This opportunity, and for two
bright, brief weeks he walked, talked,
drove and chattcd with the charming
woman whom he had once sighted.
What blind fool he had bccnl II
was Claricc he loved-Clarico he had
always loved. She was the boys
fancy and tho mans ideal. 1t was
this cultured, interesting woman who
suited him and not tho faded, frivo-
Ious Grace. lie grew mad with pain
ani rage as he realized his position.
lie walked into the parlor ono
afternoon, where C!aricc was playing