Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-04-02
A BAD HALF-HOUR.

VI haven't known you very long,
Marion faltered, looking down on the
sand as she spoke.
Longl Oh. Marion. can you count Il
by days! 1t has been a lifetime to me.
have lived only since / have known
you!"
The sentiment was not new. And
John Gordon was only fine looking
man, in becoming summer suit, and
black silk shirt and sash-for this was
Rocky Beach. But to Marion Taylor
II do like-l-llove you, Mr. Gordoni"
she said, bravely. at hasn't been long,
but / have come to care for you. You
are the first man have ever been will
ing to marry.
"And I'll be the lasti" John Gordon
cried, and pressed her hand hard
They were close to Marions hotel now,
II the imposing, not to say formidable
figure of Marion's Aunt Paulina had not
been apparent on the piazza, they might
have fingered still.
John Gordon turned his eyes to her.
"She doesn't like me, Marion" he
said, softly.
What Will she say Z"
Marion was a soft-faced and gentle.
eyed girl but she held her chin high at
that.
what she says can make no differ
encsl Goodby, joint"
"Good-byl" the young man uttered.
rapturously, as he took his leave.
A moment later Marion was dropping
into bamboo porch chair--a small one;
Aunt Paulina occupied large one.
A. glance at her strong featured, inn
perturbable countenance was enough for
Marion. She said to herself, soberly, that
something was the matter.
"You remember my saying, Marion"
Aunt Paulina began, that was dissatis.
fled with this placer"
Marion's eyes opened. Aunt Paulina
had once remarked that her bed was a
little hard.
We'll, have rather suddenly made up
my mind to leave. The Dawsons are at
Ripley, and they write me that the place
is charming. 1t is only ten miles along
the coast, Marion, and I've told Sarah
to get our things together, SO we can
start this afternoon. / think we shall
both be better for the change.
Marion looked down. Her impulses
We're many. She came near laughing,
but gasped instead, not wholly with as
tonishment. She was not unused to her
Aunt Paulina's methods. and her pr.nci-
pal emotion now was a sort of admiration
for her boldness; for the case was clear
one even TO uususlicious Marion.
Marion, Aunt Paulina recommended,
with surprising burst of candor, "ifs
that young mani Marion, you well
know that / wholly disapprove of him.
] lay awake last night thinking of it. I
must do something. The blame will be
on my head if allow you to 60 onl"
Aunt Paulina declared, solemnly. MAR
iron. what do you know about himf"
mot very much, Aunt Paulina," said
Marion, gently.
"How long have you known him 2"
Aunt Paulina demanded.
@Since we came. Six weeks. you
know"
"Six weeks" said Aunt PauIina, trag-
ically, and you walk with him every day,
and boat and bathe, and dance in the
evening. And you were introduced by the
Lambs I" her lips closing grimly on the
name "The Lambs People who take
up everybody and anybody. Just that
is enough for me. Do you know where
he 10 from?"
Boston, think, " said Marion du.
biously.
"You think And his business ?"'
Something about glass, believe"
"Glass And his property-has he
got anyf"
II don't know. said Marion, frowning
at last @He doesn't talk about himself
all the time
For reasons, doubtless" said Aunt
Paulina, looking rigid. Marion, listen
to me, child cannot sit still and see
A young man Of whom we know nothing.
and you, Marion, with your beauty and
amiablity and my money secured to
you Marion. you owe something to
me-soms consideration, some obedi.
ence-n
Aunt PauliDa was growing flushed and
incoherent, and since Marion knew
about whatshe was going TO say, 1t was as
well that Sarah came just then to make
an inquiry, and that Aunt Pauliua found
it necessary to 60 back with her.
Marion sat like a pale, wide-eyed sta
tue. What should she dor The mild
lines Of her sweet mouth would have
made 1t clear to an observer what she
would do. She would 60 with her Aunt
Paulina, Of course; what elseS She had
never yet thought of opposing her. She
owed her everything, and she had always
hitherto put faith in her judgment
But as to this about John Gordon
She would have to go-have TO leave
Rocky Beach to-day--have to leave John.
But give him ups Never-neyeri She
would write TO him--do anything and
everything. But 90 she must. Aunt
Paulina was making prenarafions Sarah