Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-04-01
THE FIRST DELEGATE.
DY EMMA A. oPPER.

ANNE was up 10 her cars III Work
She had come to her Cousin Lorcnzt
Fraser's TO visit, not looking forwar'
to whirl of gaiety, since Lorcnz
was minister.
But shc had not even visited. Loren
zo's wife was sick abcd with mil,
attack of pleurisy. The children ha,
been sent to her mothers, and good
faithful Lorenzo was getting his owl
meals; but even SO, Annie had foun,
Mrs. Fraser in the depth of dcspai
which was quite frantic.
For the conference was to be hel,
in their church next week, and the,
were to entertain at least four of th
delegates, and she sick abcd, with III
house in disorder and not q bit o
cooking done!
Annie had Strengthened her pillow
and smiled comfortingly.
"Then I'm glad enough I came,
she said, cncrgotically; sand I'll sta.
longer than the week came for, if it.
necessary. Mother doesn't need me
I'll see you safely through the confer
cncc, and stay till you're up, Tilley.
know how TO work, You know. Don
worry bit now."
"The dearest girl in the world =
poor lilly had sighed, restfully, e
Lorenzo that night. "Thc smartcs
and the best, and one of the prctticst
too. Yes, she's unusual every wa,s
wonder how it comes she isn't mar
ried. or engaged even? When VT
were there last winter, there was tina
young man-what was his name.
Whitbeck? Whitcomb?-wllo paid bel
every attention, and seemed so nicc.'
"Nice young men who pay hand
some girls every attention don't al.
ways want 10 marry thcm." said Lor.
euzo, with unexpected worldly wis.
dom. "Not but that Annie is gool
enough for the best of them. But
I've heard since that that young
Whitby went West"
81 hope Annic's heart didn't g.
with him." Tilly murmured.
That was how it came about thai
Annie was up to her ears in work.
1t was Saturday afternoon. Six
had washed few things that morn.
ing, and she intended TO bake brcat
and some pumpkin pies and cake
and make apple and cranberry sauce
before night, and do the small iron.
ing.
-. white cloth bound her yellow
hcad neatly, aud long apron covered
her from chin to feet. A few blonde
locks escaped prcttily, and her heated
checks were bccomingly red.
But she was too rushingly busy tc
give thought to her appearance; she
was saying to herself that if anything
happened TO interrupt her, she shoult
die-whcn the door bell pealcd.
She gaspcd and groancd. Dread
full She took her hands ont of tht
bread-dough, but they were doughy
and there were various smudgcs OIL
her apron.
She knew the pics would burn il
she left them; and how could she stor
TO entertain anybody 1t was {
flushed and flustered young person
who went frowningly to the door.
1t was a man. OF course it was {
man! She had known it would be
man. 1t was a man with beard and
an utterly absurd long coat to hi
heels, as though the thermometer wa
at zero.
Annie did not like eccentricities, ,anC
she disliked boards. She regarded
stiflly the third button of the obicc
tionablc coat.
"Well?" she said.
"I-you-I-" the visitor STAN
mcred.
And then the truth dawned upor
Annie.
"Ohw she faltored; "you arc one
of the delegates? You'll excuse me
l ought TO have known! But we didn'
expect any till Monday. Come in
please-come in!'
She was much abashed. A minister
and she with greasy apron. and ;
rag round her head! She talked OF
with apologetic haste.
o'AIr. Fraser did not look for any o.
the delegates this week, but of courst
you are very welcome. lie isn't a
home just now, but You will lay youl
coat Off aud make yourself comfort
abe? Pm sorry, but Mrs. Fraser i
i'll. am their cousin, and | am takin.
her place as nearly as | can"