Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-03-11

in up and down to educational bu-
reaus, and intelligence offices, and
musical headquarters and all that sort
o thing. l dunno why | can't have
the luck O. that Madam Sivardi that's
to sing at your mas reception, and
gets fifty dollars night. It'll take
me long enough know to earn fifty
dollars at the Cockletown silk mills,
Or even teaching school at CockletOwn
Centre"
Lillian sighed.
"She isn't going to sing at mamma's
receptions" said she. "Alrs. Magnus
Marlindale has been tanpering with
her She's going to play us false. At
least that's what mamma and | think"
"Liian!"
Betscy Bloom had suddenly straight
ened herself up and seized her cousins
arm.
"Yes?'
"Why couldn't I sing at your
mothers cvening~
"You, BetseyT
eyes. | wouldn't charge a cent.
I'd only be too glad of the chance. |
don't mean that l could sing Italian
bravuras and that sort of thing; but
know all the good old-fashioned
songs; and why wouldn't That please
people just for change? | could
dress up old woman style, you know,
and it would be little different from
the common. And III sing White
Cackadc, and Banks of Allan Waier,
and Bonnie DOOM and Cruel Barr
bafah Alien Grandmother Boom
taught me lots o them old fashioned
songs"
Lilian's eyes sparklcd. She sprang
10 her feet.
''Betsey," said she, otis a good
ideal Won try it. l don't believe
but that it would please mammals
friends more than the Sivardi herself
But don't tell mamma. You shall do
your practicing when she is out and
wen make it a genuine surprise"
'I'd ruther the artist-fclow
come" stipulated B.tsey,
rather awkwardly. "IIo always
looks at me SO sort O. queer and
amused, as if | wasn't more'n than
half civilized"
"Do mean you Mr.. Lowric? He's the
best natured man in the world.n
GAN the same lie makes me as nerv-
Gus cat"
"Well, perhaps he won't come. Aud
now, Betsey, | must hurry back to
mammals guests. But l really think
that idea of yours is capital one.
Well think it over, Batsoy."
Mrs. Kybcr was very low spirited
about her evening reception.
dts so difficult" said she, "to
make such al affair different from
everybody clse's. do like my recep-
tions to be characteristic. Aud Sivar,li
would have been such card TO play
1t was perfectly disgraceful of her to
throw me over at the eleventh hour in
that sort of way; and cspcc ally after
the invitations had gone out with
.Musicl' in the corners"
"Wcll, mamma, it shall be 'musi-
chi ? treasured Lillian. "Me Lowrie
will give you an air on the violin, and
I'll play some of my old harp solos,"
"That's all nonsense"
"Mamma, do you mean to say that
we're not mnsical?" laughed merry
Lillian.
But all her badirage failed TO bring
a smile TO Mrs Kybcr's perturbed
countcnance.
The evening came; the guests as
sembled.
Mrs. Martindale's special friend was
there, dispatched by that lady herself,
to bring back a personal and authentic
account of Mrs. Kyber's discontinue
and defeat.
Jack Lowrie, the artist, was there
with his violin.
elf tho field daisy gets frightened
at the eleventh hour" rema ked he,
"l'll be ready TO face the emergency
But she won't be frightened. The
field daisy is too plucky for that
s'Jack," cried Lillian, "why do vol
call her the field daisy?'
"Bccause she's SO pretty"
"Betsey Bloom! Pretty?'
eyes. Don't you think sop
"I-never did think So" said Lii
ian, slowly. "Shc has fresh com
plexion and bright, pleasant eyes
Well, yes, perhaps she is pretty. But
Jack, you mustn't lock at her to
critically, or you will cmbarrass her.
oil Critically Why, Lii, loo
at her because she is SO like wilC
! woodland flower"