The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-03-11


with intense satisfaction: 'Thank our
lucky stars, that little baggage be off at
lastP'
In this pleasant retirement, with
nothing to disturb him but the wild
note of the blackbird or the merry
chirp of the sparrow, he sits for long
time lost in silent meditation.
Then, a sudden thought seems to
strike him. He deliberately takes off
his waistcoat and sets to work with his
knife to pick out some stitches, which
had bound an inner pocket of the gar
ment. This accomplished, he draws
forth large leather wallet from which
he extracts number of papers careful
| ly folded, some of them in sealed en-
| velopes. At last he finds what he is
looking for. photograph. On this he
concentrates his attention, gazing at it
for long time with fixed eagerness.
1t is the portrait of a young and beauti-
| full woman, and more and more puzzled
is che expression on the old mans face
! as his eyes rest on the perfect features.
Strange how like she ber' he NUT
ters to himself. "The very image of
her ladyship, as she stood that awesome
day on the lawn of the old hall,
when
The tap of cane on the stoop close
| by reused him from his cogitations.
The old man started at the Interrupt
ton.
Heart alive! 1t is the young master
himself" he gasped, as he hurriedly
thrust photograph and papers back into
his pocket.
'sBladon Bladon! Where are you?''
George Arundel cried impatiently.
"Here be, Master George, under the
apple tree" the old man replied, run
ming forward to lead him to the seat.
II could ma find in my heart to call
thee, thou vert sleepin' so calm and
quiet like
Then am too late Oh. Bladon, do
not say that she is gone and not up
to bid her Godspeed!''
81 am afeared she have, Master
George" Bladon replied, humbly;
sadly afeared she have, for she started
well-nigh an hour agone."
"Yet my orders to be called were
positive Arundel said, fiercely. "You
presume too much on your position to
set at naught my wishes. 1 tell you,
Bladon, I will not be treated like a
child"
can wunnot rouse thee out of a
sound sleep, when thou hast lost half
the night tossin' an maulin' in thy
bed," Bladon asserted, sturdily.
Perhaps from long experience George
Arundel knew that it was useless to
argue with his faithful servant; per-
haps he was too chagrined to trust him
self to speak; anyhow, he sat for
many minutes in sullen silence, Bladon
the meanwhile lighting his pipe and
calmly awaiting the result of the young
mans cogitations. But he waited in
vain; his companion had not word to
say. Now, if Arundel had roundly
abused him he would have taken the
scolding with Indifference, but to see
him sit there in sullen brooding
touched the old mans heart, for he
loved George as his own son. His
anxiety at last broke forth in a petulant
wall.
Master George, Master George, I
tell'ee this wunnot do, worritin' the
flesh off thy bones over a pretty face
which thee cannot see-more's the pity.
Dang the women, l say, with their
winsom' ways putting a glamor over
the best of men. 1 bean't much of a
scholard, but know enough to tell'ee
that we must ma bide at this place any
longer"
An amused smile played on the young
mans lips as he answered:
''Bladon, my kind old friend, I firmlv
believe you are jealous OF Miss Airing
toms attentions to me-
Jealous, indeed" the old fellow
grunted.
"Yes, you are jealous as schoolboy
in his puppy love, wild if anybody comes
near the object of your affections. You
literally cannot bear me to be depend
ent On anyone but yourself. Now sure
~ ! may express gratitude to young
lady, who has shown me so many kind
nesses, without being in love with her."
An bean't We in love with her, Mas
ter George? Reant ye mautherin' after
her this mint, like a sick calf after its
mothere Eve no patience with such
COINS on.n
"And what if ami" Arundel cried, in
burst OF uncomfortable passion. ''Do
you think that because / am blind to
the beauty of her person have no per-
ception of the sweet qualities of her
mindS There is no use trying to con-
ceal it from myself or you-God helm
me. do love Wanda Arlington with
my whole heart and soul; love her with
all the ardor of a passion pent up by
the forbidding barrier of my terrible
misfortune
There, there" old Bladon moaned.
holding up his hands in dismay. 81
knew how it would be when saw thee
danglin' at her heels day after day. l
telree her hath bewitched thee, lad,
an
"She has done nothing unbecominn
the swee innocence of her pure nature.
Is it her fault that she is lovablep You
might as well blame the violet for its
perfume or the nightingale for its mel
ody as Wanda Arlington for her perfec-
tion."
"oh, Lord, he's got it bad," Rlaaon
groaned.
Iro BE QcxsMuED.l