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
mighty battle was being fought in a big
front room upstairs between strange
mystery we call-having no better name
Death, and two famous physicians,
seconded ably by our Pink nurse.
For th3 grandmother was gazing past
US all into the gloom, and, dove-likc and
gentle, with aIl serenity, was bddia. ! us
farewell with certain stately tenderness
which was all her own.
And Zie 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 woof 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 a bad night, and our
Pink nurse was far more white than pink,
she was sent into the old-fashioned gar
den to steal little color from the soft
air zie Immediately extended the hos
pitality Of her hammock, which was
stretched lazly 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 zie
gravely, by way way of being agreeable.
'4'm pretty, too. I'm glad. Aren't
youl"
COIL don't know"
THAT den'ts2aa.. rye AZ ;s.s. s9s mar
riedl' pursued zie, with an air.
"No.9
''Why don't you get married."
Nobody wants mel" rippled out the
Pink purse between laughs.
"But your name is Annie. Hash t
every Annie got a Joel' remarked zie,
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 Joc-Joc Rip
ley. But after he passed, it was a little
singular that the back of his neck aud
cars should 50 closely match our Pink
nurses face, who was blushing also.
"05, you awful child! What will you
do or say next' 1t was the telegraph
operator who sends the dispatches to
your grandfather in Washington and
his t.mc Is Joe" And the Pink nurse
made'a great pretensc Of being painfully
shocked, and ran, with great rustic of
skirts, into the house.
"And her name is Annie" added zio
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 just
up the hill only block beyond Cstalpa
Cottage, and Zie's hammock was very
ncar the board walk on which he passed
to and fro several times a day.
That evening surprise was in stor,
for Mr. Ripley. Just at dusk, while all
things here taxing on the gray greens o
twilight, he walked soberly home to sup
per When exactly opposite certain
hammock nall voice pipod up in ar
authoritative manner:
"Will you please be kind enough to
come here2"
Mr. Ripley thOughttolly rubbed hi
right foot over his left foot, TOOK hi
handkerchief out Of the crown of hi
st'aw hat, aud, after wiping his fac
carefully replaced it. Then followe,