The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1894-03-09

apologized.
ooh, lawl that didn't matterl'' de-
clared the other, giving her an ex-
plosive kiss. This amt such a big
town but it was easy to find my way.
Just told hackman to drive me to p.
Martins, and here l amir
| There she was, indeed, and very
much of her. Acutely conscious of
the demure laughter in Percy Carr's
dark eyes, Mrs. Martin heroically
made known her husbands cousin to
her guests.
| Miss Martin insisted on going around
| the table to shake hands with each
one.
"And now," decided that frank
young person, "I'll eat some dinner. |
didn't have but two bought ham sand
wiches on the train. and seemed like
they was all sandwich and no ham,
If, while the meal progressed, her
manner was not all that might have
been expected in Mr. Martins cousin,
her appreciation of the viands was evil
denced in word and deed. 1t was re-
lief to Mrs. Martin when they all rose
and went into the drawing-room. But
here fresh agonies awaited her; for the
visitor, on being requested by Frank
| Sommers to sing, promptly seated her
self at the piano, and, to mighty
pedal accompaniment, poured her soul
into the rollicking strains of Sunday
Night When the Parlor's Full"
'Oh, thank youl'' said Maud Hamil-
ton, suavely. 81 never heard that
song before"
There was CHASTITY silence.
"Oh, that's nothing" averred Miss
Martin. 81 know lots as good. We
have an organ at our house, and me
and the young man KEEP comp'ny with
last winter used 70 sing all the time
most I'll sing you his favorite now!"
And she Uttered as she swung around
to the keyboard.
Mrs. Martin had grown white under
the strain. She could not endure this
much longer-not even for Philips
sake. But even as she cast desperately
around for some possible means of re-
lease the portieres were thrust wide.
| ''Miss Clarissa Martini announced
the footman.
Into the room came slender, ele-
CANT figure, richly and sedately
gowned in dark cloth and fur. A small,
dainty bonnet rested on head OF
softly-waved, golden hair. A hand,
looking as if carved out of marble, was
| gracefully extended.
1.-THE train was delayed" she eX-
planned. You are Cousin Philips wife,
1 know"
Mrs Martin held the slim fingers as
the drowning hold straws
"Who," she asked of the figure at the
piano. ''are you?"
"I'm Miss Jennie Sophronia Martin,
from Hires Hollow"
A soft little ripple of mirth ran
around the room.
"May ask, Miss Jennie Sophronia
Martini" said Mrs, Martin, coldly, ito
what am indebted for the-the en-
barrassment of your visit?''
The damsel from Hires Hollow
opened her eyes and mouth in amaze
ment.
"Ain't you Mrs. Peter Martin. wife
to the boss drayman, that's my fathers
second cousin?"
Decidedly not" her hostess assured
her.
And explanations followed
81 never seen Peters wife" Jennie
Sophronia assured them, "hut when
Peter was down to Hires Hollow, this
fall, buyin' hogs, he made ma promise
to let me come visit his folks. And l
s'posed the hackman was a-talSin' me
| there"
In her sense of immense relief, Mrs.
Martin became positively kind. She
ordered the coupe and had her mis-
taken guest driven to her correct
destination. And the others laugh
ingly elaborated the whole affair for
the benefit of lovely, high-bred Clar-
issa Martin. And the evening turned
out beautifully after ALL except per.
haps for Mrs. Thurston, who beheld
her worst fears verified.
"Your prophecy has been fulfilled, "
declared Percy Carr, as he shook
hands with his hostess, "She is en-.
trancing have fallen in love at first
sight"
She arched her pretty eyebrows.
"With Jennie Sophronia of Hires
Hollow?" she asked, quizzically.
mo; with your husbands cousin.
Oh, you needn't laugh, nor look in.
credulous. Pm tremendously in ear.
nest. Kate Cleary, in n. Y. Weekly.