Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-07-22
A GENUINE HERO.


A sky of opal and gold, deep trel-
Used veranda, novel, and hammock
slung at the most comfortable of
angles. With these conditions it was
scarcely strange that Halcyon Hartford
swaycd delightfully."- between dream
land and the real world that June
afternoon, with the fleecy gold of hel
Lair, all guiltless of pin or comb, and
the bell sleeves, falling enchantingly
away from her round white arms,
while one trim slippered foot hung
from the edge of the hammock.
"Halcyonl Halcyon! Where arc
you2"
1t was one of those exasperating
voices which, once having been sweet,
had now vibrant jar to its tones,
painfully akin to shrillness.
Hslcyon frowned little aud raised
herself on one elbow.
"Oh, Aunt Hal, don't scream sol
l was just in such a dream of de-
light"
"Well, you should have answered,
then!"
Aunt Hal came ont of the wide,
shady hall with an ELUSIVE swing of
her draperies, and seated herself in Il
bamboo chair close to the hammock.
She was comically like her niece
at least, as much as woman of SS
could be like maid of 18. There
was the same yellow luxuriance of
hair. but harsher, drier and suggestive
of dye; the same pink and white COM
plexion. artifcally heightened; SINH
lar features, cruelty sharpened by the
inexorable hand Of time, and teeth
Just opee, degree TOO 'ul,i'T : = .,.ee-,' ar
The white dress she wore was pain
fally trying, and she was compelled
10 use gold-rimmed eyeglasses as she
held up letter to the view of her
niece.
"What has haprencd?' drowsily
demanded the latter, lifting pair of
blue eyes, fringcd with dark lashes.
"The strangcst thingl"
"Another offer of marriage?" haz-
arded Halcyon, settling on the unlike
liest thing which could, in her opinion,
happen.
allow did you guess?' with little
exultant cackle. "Exactly. TIE
dear, fooli,h lad-and he so much
younger than II Why, he couldn',
have been 21 when he went to Bonn
bay, and l was at least 80 then"
"Thirty-five, Aunt Hail." said Hal
cyon, the mercicss.
"Was it as much as that? Well, he
seemed desperately in love, then /;
though of course / never took any
notice of the child. But / suppose in
that country of blackamoors one can't
help thinking about all the women one
has ever known at home; and he has
written me two or three letters"
elias he?'
Halcyon sat straight up in the ham.
mock now. Her blue eyes glowed
The heat had brought flush TO heI
cheek which all Aunt Haps carmine
saucers could not rival.
"But never told you," said the
/ elder beauty, "because remembered
that there was sort of boy and girl
affair between you and Charlie Bes-
son, when you were n, boarding
school, and thought you would bt
nettled. And here's the proposal a
last, deer-with his photograph en-,
closed"
"Lel me see it"
What brave, good face it was =
slightly older and sterner than sh'
had looked upon when the Avancaniai
sailed away three years ago, but ye
so strong and manly!
She laughed Historically.
"Shall you accept hiin?"
Aunt Hal nibbled coquettishly at tn
edge of the envelope; the new falls
teeth cleaned in smile.
M--think-l-shalli"
"Aud YOU fourteen years older thai
he isr'
"People don't think about sue
things as they used to-" reasoned Mis-
Hartford the elder. "Eros is immo
tai, you know"
Halcyon sank back into the ham
mock and reopened her book.
"You must do as you please, o
course" said she. "After that quota
tion about Eros, | have not sugges
ton to offer"
If "Jealous, poor darling!" though
Aunt Hal, with thrill of pity. An
he said;
Be- "Well, of conrse one can't hel
,ohose things happening to one, an
our time will come soon, dear, nevG
ear"
.Ifs a good thing" she added
3tvt