Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-04-14
WON AT LAST.

WUN Al uANl,
Elsa came in with fushe checks
aud brilliant eyes.
Laura, bending over spirit lamp
on the Uttered table, glanced up from
her brewing.
81 waited awhile for you, but as
you did not come'-shc observed,
lifting the small copper kettle from
the slender blue flame.
"Why did you wait one moment9"
cried Elsa.
She fingered somewhat over the
simple operations of removing her
gloves and putting up the books she
brought in. She presently gathered
herself together with an effort.
"Did you got any lunch for your
self?"
Laura was calmly slipping her tea.
s'No."
"No?" Laura, how could you! To
work all day without eatingl Do you
mean to say that you have had Moth
ing at all since breakfasl~
Laura, instead of replying, cast a
circular glance about the room.
''What became of the buns? We
had some buns left, lad we not?"
Elsa went TO an ancient aud some
what picturesque chest of drawers,
aud fGala = aaass ggii-.a.s.. sszlssa arape:r
of half yard of old brocade brought
out paper bag.
Their eyes met, and in a moment
both girls had broken into long shrieks
of laughter, ending on Elsa's part
with half-strangled sob.
"Oh. Laura. I'm afraid | can't
stand it much longer! Itis $3.50 de-
grading
degrading ~
Laura had consumed her bun and
was now gathering up the two Japan
csc cups and saucers.
"Did you lunch today"
Yes"
"With Mr.. Narian, suppose?'
Elsa only made little motion with
her pretty head. Then:
"Oh, Laura, you don't think there's
any harm in it, do you!" she pleaded.
"Harm?n
"That | should have happened to
meet Mr.. Varian once or twice, and |
that he has asked inc TO take lunch |
with himP You see, it is not as
though he were perfect stranger.
As long as he knew grandfather a
little and knows who am, too, why
Its different, somehow. Don't you
think so?"
'In your case-no, don't think
there is any harm-exactly.
'Laura!'. You say that so curious
ly! Don't you think Mr.. Varian is
is a-an''-
can honorable man? | hope So"
rejoined Laura, coloring in her turn
rapidly under her rich, dark skin.
'tIn any other case l should advise
you to be more careful"
"You're always advising me TO be
more careful, but don't know any
one more Independent or more care
less as to what other people may
think than YOURSELF" remarked the
younger girl, in tone a trihe ag-
grieved.
'In my case it is very different"
was the short reply. 81 am not pretty.
You are"
''There are times when you are
very, very handsome, Laura said
EIsa's soft voice, with earnest convic-
ton.
But it was not quite half an hour
before, even up there, where the last
rays of the summer twilight fingered
longest, Laura was obliged to push
the work from her. As she did so,
waking from the creative absorption
in which she had been lost, a singular
sound attracted her, coming from the
outer side of the room. Getting to
her feet she saw that Elsa was sob
bling, with her face buried in the de-
moralized upholstery of the sofa bed.
"What is it," said Laura, very
gently and firmly. But already Esas
face was buried once more, and this
time upon the shoulders of Lauras
gray stuff dress.
"Noihing, nothing, Laural But,
OIL l feel $3.50 unhappy and
wretchedl 1 know Pm very, very
weak. But it's so dreadful being so
poor and living so-so'-
81 warned you, you know, dear"
came Laura's quiet voice.
ooh, know, 1 knowI You are so
brave and strong aud talented But