Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-03-25

fitted her well enough, on thewhole, as her
hospital gown-she was trained nurse
her plump cheeks, and even her dimpled
hands and the ribbons on her stiff cap
were each and all most lovely pink.
1t all happened the summer that
brought Zie her fifth birthday, when the
family were all out at the summer
home, Catalpa Cottage, and when a
mighty battle was being fought in big
front room upstairs between a strange
mystery we call-having no better name
Death, and two famous physicians,
seconded ably by our Pink nurse.
For the grandmother was gazing past
US all into the gloom, and, dove-like and
gentle, with all serenity, was biddia.9 y us
farewell with a certain stately tenderness
which was all her own.
And lie was the only one who was
happy. And she was happy, as she al
way is happy, because she cannot, for
life, help being SO. 1t is in the warp
and wool of her small being. 1t is as
much part of her as her freckled little
nose, yellow mop of hair and topaz eyes.
One blue summer morning, after our
invalid had had bad night, and our
Pink nurse was far more white than pink
she was sent into the old-fashioned gar
den TO steal a little color from the soft
air. Zie Immediately extended the hos
pitality of her hammock, which was
stretched lazily between two snowy,
blossoming Catalpa trees, and there the
two sat, and were very glad they were
alive, for it was the month of June,
which will at once explain that gladness.
"You are very prettyl" said lie
gravely, by way way of being agreeable.
'I'm pretty, too. I'm glad. Aren't
youf"
COIL don't know"
"That don't sound true. Are you mar
rieda" pursued lie, with an air.
"No."
"Why don't you get married."
"Nobody wants mel' rippled out the
Pink purse between laughs.
"But your name is Annie. Hash
every Annie got a Joel' remarked ze,
with amazement.
And the story would have ended right
here before it began if man at that
moment had not been passing down the
board walk. There was nothing singu-
lar about his being there, or in the fact
that his name should be Joe-Joe Rip.
ley. But after he passed, it was little
singular that the back of his neck and
ears should so closely match our Pink
nurses face, who was blushing also.
sob, you awful child What will You
do or say nextl It was the teleuraph
operator who sends the dispatches to
your grandfather in Washington-and-
his a.me Is Joe.o And the Pink n,,r,e
made'a great pretense of being painfully
shocked, and ran, with great rustic Of
skirts, into the house.
"And her name is Aunie,n added Zia
to herself, while the pupils Of her eyes
grew very big, and the little bits of gold
dust in them disappeared, and the rest
OF the day she was very quiet.
Now the telegraph operator lived lust
up the hill only block beyond cataIpa
Cottage, and zie's hammock was yer,
near the board walk on which he uas,ct
to and fro several times day.
That evening surprise was in stor,
for Mr. Ripley. Just at dusk, while al
things here taxing on the graygrecns o
twilight, he walked soberly home to sun
per. When exactly opposite certai
hammock snail voice p,pcd up in al
authoritative manner:
"wili you plcase be kind enough t.
come here2n
Mr.. Ripley thoughtfulIy rubbed hi
right loot over his left foot. tons hi
handkerchief ous Of ,bo
straw hat, aud, after wipiug his fac
carefully replaced it. Then tollowe