The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-07-05
ana those Of the Vernons,

ana those OF the Vernons.
Col. Dodd's wrath was In a measure
j1stifable. To avoid.th distracting,
uerve-shattering noises which young
America believes to be essential to the
proper observance Of independence
hay, he, had slipped out Of the city and
taken refuge in his quiet country
house, where he had expected to en-
loy day of absolute quiet. So rude
Rn awakening from SO pleasanta a dream
would have tried the temper Of less
lrascible man than the colonel.
Since purchasing this delightful
country place Col. Dodd had built
upon 1t q new house, better suited to
his ideas Of convenience and comfort
than the original cottage. The old
house had not been destroyed, but
be had been careful to rent 1t to O
quiet couple without children" and
to separate it from his own premises
BY stone wall eight feet high. The
Vernons had been In possession but
few weeks, and Col. Dodd had never
met them, but he was now determined
that they should not remain there an
other month.
Full Of indignation he unlocked the
gate In the wall and pushed It open.
On the further side was flower gar
den, and the first person he saw was q
lady In q pink gown and an expansive
garden hat bending over . pansy bed
about ten PAGES from the wall
Madam" said the colonel In stern
voice, as he walked toward her, ~
really beg your pardon for this in
trusion. am not IN the habit Of max
ing calls before breakfast, but my
peace and comfort have been assailed
and have not the patience to defer Q
most emphatic protest. My object in
owning C country house, madam, is to
have a place to which l can safely
withdraw when desire absolute quiet,
as do to-day. am here now to es-
cape the infer-aheml-the outrageous
racket incident to the celebration Of
the Fourth of July in town. Have
escaped it9 Is there any peace for .
man"
Just then there was another terrific
explosion, and another burst of wild
huzzas from the happy young people,
who were hidden from view by the
dense shrubbery.
~ was not aware, madam" contin-
ued the colonel, striving to speak calm
~, "that you had any children"
The lady had stood before him with
Q shocked and helpless air as he talked,
seemingly much embarrassed. She
was neatly formed. trim little body,
with large dark eyes and fresh com.
plexion, although 1t was evident from
the few scattered silver threads in her
black hair that she had left her girl.
hood behind her.
'"I take 1t for granted that you are
Mrs. Vernon" said Col. Dodd, abrupt
", as the possibility that she might be
some one else occurred to him for the
first time.
mo, sir, am not. l."
"Oh, then, humbly beg your par
don. ! have made mistake. Too bad
that l should have annoyed you.
presume will find Mrs. Vernon In the
house?" He lifted his hat with court
~ bow and was about to move away.
"But, SIR" said the lady, hastily, ~
am afraid that am responsible for
the children. Mrs Vernon Is not to
myself"
He stopped and for the first time
looked squarely down into the woman's
face. Her hat had fallen back and her
eyes did not finch before his gaze, but
the rich blood beat into her cheeks and
she looked positively beautiful. The
colonel started.
Lord bless my soul!" he exclaimed,
in sudden astonishment. us 1t possi-
BILE that-pardon me, but I-have l not
had the honor of meeting you before9"
II think you have, Mr.. Dodd," she
replied, composedly.
"And you are really Madgel" He
checked himself as he was about, to
seize her hand, and Strengthened up
stifly. "Well, truly, this is a great
SURPRISE" he added. "How in the
world did you happen to be here? Is
is your husband with your"
my husbandl"
"And are all these children yours?"
"Sirl'
but of course they can't all be
yours, for there must be fifty at the
least calculation"
"There are just fourteen, sir, and
they are all pupils of mine," said the
lady, biting her lip. II brought them
down from the city for. holiday at the
Invitation Of my sister"
your sister?"
"Mrs. Vernon is my sister Dorothy,
whom you ought to remember"
"She deuce she Isl And your hus'
band?"
"You mistake, sir. have no hus-
band"
"Ah, pardon my stupidity. lfear FIN
. very clumsy animal; but, indeed,
had not heard Of your misfortune"
"Misfortune9"
81 mean, Of course, the loss OF your