Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-02-17

Oil probation as model
rs wife. But Cousin Hugh and
been comrades ever since could
|cmDeri aud when was out of
Of Elizabeth's sharp tongue there
seldom anything to remind nc
We had not been boys together,
lead of girl and boy.
Inc one step from the sublime 10
ridiculous is a short one in my
|elghOorllood, and we had taken it in
turn round the corner from the
stately terraccd street where was my
nome. The absurd little boxes in
Which The people here were housed
Sh' Oe an improvement OH the great
hlmcnis of other cities, but TO take
lhem seriously as homes was rather
dilhcuIl. "TlIat one yonder is mere
geranium pot" said l, nodding with
gesture towards o Tiny red bow
Vindow filed with those great rcd
and green plants.
vi course, there was ''drcssmaking"
on the modest p!acard on the door;
and equally, of course, there was the
res'maker's small, pale face at The
Window, where the forid round
lunches of blossoms seemed to have
Trained all life and color from her.
at is case of Rappaccini's daugh-
II reversed" | said. "Instead Of
giving her their bloom the flowers
llavc taken all hers TO themselves.
never see a big coarse hedge-row like
that one without knowing that there
A fading lily of woman behind ii
stitching and stitching her heart out.
Cannot you make an excuse, DR..
Hngh2 Mistake the house, or some
lining, and let us knock and see if our
Iided lily won't come out?'
Butjust then tho door opened; tho
Yressmasker was letting out custom
fer. Who or what that was / never
heedcd, for from where we stood over
NE way my dog had dashed across, up
NE lew steps, and was fawning on
tAe little woman in transport of
j'p.
Size did not stoop to meet those Gag
or earcsses; those sharp little canine
ores of delighted secognition had no
response. Only, as we came up, she
misle hurried. cropping movement
foEiihe handle of the door as if she
wsnld have shut it in our faces. Hugh
vs. too quick for her. lie stepped in
II Toss the threshold. where she stood
leaning pale and quivcring against the
wall.
o'We owe it TO ourselves" he said,
"to make some explanation. OF course
the dog is yours"
She made hasty motion of dis
claimer; but Hugh went oil:
"Of course the dog is yours; we
have had him so long in our keeping
because he was found ono night last
winter, and this lady kindly let him
come indoors with her ont of the Bit
ter weather. But we have no idea of
keeping the little fellow from you
unless, indeed, you would caro- to part
with him
This last tentatively, for it had not
escaped Hugh any more than it had
me, that as between dog and mistress
the affection was certainly all on one
side. The little woman-girl she was
rather-hnd retreated, sinking down
OH the steep box.stairs that almost
hlled up the tiny ontry. Tho dog did
not feel himself repulsed, as We did;
but fell, dog fashion, 10 kissing the
worn hands with which she covered
her face. II was in that same instant
that we heard q child's cry. She let
her hands fall together, the wedding
ring flashing out on the worn finger,
and then for the first time noticing
me with a swift sign she led the way
into the back room.
The baby was just waking in his
cradle. She turned her white face
sound on us in the doorway, as she
dropped down on her knees beside
him. The dog went smiling about
the cradle, round and round, as il he
could not understand, then stood
irresolutc, his brown eyes flashing ill.,
quiry from the woman to me.
s.For the child's sake she said.
"For the child's sake
She caught her breath IN q fright
ened, gasping way that brought the
doctor in, Hugh 10 the fore.
"Steady," he said gently. awe
are not hero to hurt you, but 10 see
what can be done for you"
Shc pointed to the dog. "Only
take Dash away. Leave us two
alone"
At the sound of his name the dog
glanced round at her, but at her
vehement repellent gesture he crept
nearer to mo, his tail between his
legs.
..Poor Dash! My poor, poor, Art
full D5dgerl" | whispered, STOPPING TO
pat him. But Hugh was looking at
the woman attentively. 81 beg your
pardon, but think l have seen you
before" he said.
She threw up her hands with a
sLarn cry al knew il! | knew that