Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-04-06
LOVE ON A WALL.

The little back yard presented
novel appearance The frost was Of
the ground, and the one skeleton trel
in the corner extended 10 leaAes
branches like gaunt arms in varion
directions.
A wooden post was stuck in the cen
tire of the gravel square, its purpose
vague; at a few yards distant stood {
man-practising at broadsword exer-
else.
Sergeant Major Boyne, pausing
from his exertions, addressed some
one sitting on the wall to his right.
care you cold, Mollie ?"
'No, thanks; it is warming to watch
you"
The sergeant continued his evolu-
tions. "One - two - three = four /;
right; One-two-th three-four; left p
The girl clapped her hands. The
sergeant repeated the performance.
"How jolly you look, Cousin Jack r
Mollie cried as the cuts and thrusts
whistled through the air.
"Do II" the sergeant queried, sol
emnly regarding the post in the mid
die of the ground.
you know that you look nice, she
said severely. Don't pretend"
He returned the weapon to its
ally.
''You know that you look nice.
the Z prestieat girl ii Iinbridgel Aili
the men at the barracks say that Of
you,
"Do they?" she cried, with gasp
81 am so glad
'Glad? Silly grill What is your
opinion worth?"
GAS much as yours, suppose she
answered.
ooh, of course.
He leaned against the wall and re-
fastened buckle. She bit her lip |
and tapped the red bricks with her
heels
Sergeant Travers came off worsted
among the men the other night, 1 /
heard
"The odds were all against the one,
as usual, she said. ''Your barrack
jokes are seldom funny"
He laughed. "why do you care for
him, Mollie?"
81 don't"
'All right, Mollie, he said in tone
that indicated ''all wrong"
cts getting late" she remarked
"They are setting the tea-tray."
"Shall | help you DOWN."
Her toes were on level with his
chest as he fronted her. She care
fully scrutinized the height from the
ground.
"No, thank you"
"oh, all right" he responded with
the same dubious infection.
She heard his spurs click over the
frosty ground. She watched the patch
of scarlet merge into the gloom and
reappear in the lighted room of the
house. Then the tears tricked down
her cold cheek and froze there.
A boy was spinning top in the
next garden. She leaned towards
him.
'Little boy, she whispered, s'give
me push.
The little boy, mounting an inverted
bucket, pushed and heard muf-
fed thud on the other side of the
wall.
Every girl in the little garrison
town who possessed an invitation to
the non-commissioned officers ball
was preparing for the evenings fes-
tivity.
Mollie Henderson pirouetted around |
the small limit of her chamber,
gauzy being in white. The circum-
scribed mirror had been tilted down,
only quarter Of her form being Wis
ioned at one time.
The edge of her skirt and white
satin slippers we're undergoing rehec
tion when her youngest brother
shouted through the keyhole;
You'll do, Molliel You'll beat
Georgina Webb hollow"
"oh, Bobby, darling, do you think
so?" she cried, opening the door.
"Positiye. Here's two boxes. Guess
ones from the sergeant
Each box contained spray OF
flowers She held the red roses ad-
miringiy.
''Dear Mollie, please wear my flow
ers, was pencilled ON a sheet of paper
bearing the name of Sergeant Travers.
The lilies of the valley were accom-