The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-11-08

He gave her his arm, escorting her with
as grand an air as if she had been a
queen, but he did not fail to hear the
half suppressed litter that followed him
from the room. 1t almost unnerved him.
The carriage was at the door, but San
der was not to be seen. The small boy
whom he had hired to hold the horse
told Tom that Mr.. Ridgway had gone
TO see that man whom Mr.. Wainwr ut
was to meet at this hour, thinking there
might have been a misunderstanding.
A naughty word came close against
Toms smiling lips, but he did not al
low it to escape. He handed his COM
panion Into the carriage, tucked the
robes around her so carefully that much
of her Objectionable dress of bright
green was concealed, took the 1eins and
the whip and drove toward the house
where Sander lived with his mother at
a rate of speed which was, to say the
least, extremely reckless. Miss Marga.
ret was obliged to give her whole at
tention to an effort to keep her seat,
and conversation between herself and
her companion did not become intense
ly interesting.
Good Mrs. Ridgway was watching
for them and came to the door to well
come her niece.
"How unusually well you are look
ing, my dear - she exclaimed, and once
more Tom groaned under his breath.
If she looked better than usual now, he
IL ,Iok el, l,n in n
normal condition?
81 shall not invite you in now, Mr.,
Wainwright" added Mrs. Ridgway,
'sfor I want Daisy all to myself for
little while. You may come later.
"She will soon tire of me-" said
Daisy, smiling at Tom with an aban-
donment Of sentimental gush that set
his teeth on edge. sit doesn't seem to
take any one long to tire Of me-" she
added plaintively. "You can't think
how nice it seems to be bound to some
one who is as glad to devote himself to
me as [ am to have him..
Tom bowed and tried to smile. He
could not say word. He did not know
which he wanted most-to commit sui
eide or murder.
"Tire of her p he thought as he went
toward his room. 81 don see how any
one can help it who has c.Tcs and ears. "
Going to his rooms, Tom found San
der comfortably ensconced in his favor
ite easy chair.
"Thought I'd make myself at home,"
he announced cheerfully.
"See here, Ridgway," exclaimed
Tom, paying no attention to his friends
remark, licking is well enough. but
when it comes to unmitigated falsifying
it is downright low"
"Will you please explain yourself?"
said Sander, a gleam of anger i'll his
eyes.
1t suddenly occurred to Tom that
Sanders cousin was under discussion
and that perhaps one could not be blam-
ed for failing to see the ugliness in
ones relatives. He found himself ad-
mitting that it was barely possible that
Sander had not been joking at his ex-
pense, but the results could hardly have
been more unpleasant had he been the
victim Of practical joke, and he must
get rid of part of his i'll feeling by ex-
pressing himself Indignantly to some
one 1t was certain that no one was
more deserving of such unpleasant at
tention than Sander Ridgway.
care you such a FOOL he said, "as
to pretend that you believe what you
told me?''
81 am noE conscious of having lied,"
replied Sander stiffly. 81 may be fool,
but I shall not be twitted of it great
many times, let me tell YOU
There was a tone in Sanders voice
which was new to Tom. 1t was not
pleasant. 1t seemed to say that two
could show i'll temper quite as we'll as
one, and that he would come off victo-
rious who was least in the power of the
other. Tom saw that if he We're to at
Daisy he would need the support of his
friends, and that least of all could he
afford to antagonize Sander. He resolv-
ed to control his temper and succeeded,
as any man can and does when his IN
terests are at stake,
Sander" he said, 81 have said more
than should perhaps, but if you could
understand how disappointed ann
Disappointed About what?''
"You told me she was but 81 years
old.
81 say SO now.
'But her hair is gray"
'Did you never hear Of hair turning
suddenly from sickness? I think. how
ever, that it helps rather than hurts
young face. You cannot deny that it
softens Daisy's face wonderfully. Did
you notice what pretty eyes she has?''
"How could 1 see her eyes through
colored glasses?"
"Oh, l remember! She wore her Cog
giles. She does not wear them all the
time. Perhaps she will be without them
this evening. Hasn't she a pretty COM
plexion?"
"That hidecus green thing she
wore''-
''Do you mean that wooien veil? She
is subject to attacks of neuralgia and is
obliged to be very careful when travel
ing. She will not be likely to wear that
very much here in the CITY,"
"Will she wear it at all?"
"She may. One can never tell exact
II what a woman will do-more espe-
cially.a woman like Daisy. As I have
told you, she is very willful and has
high temper, but you know you thought
that rather an advantage"
Tom bit his lip savagely. He Iemem,
bered his foolish speech about "Tam-