The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1896-04-17
MARLBOROUGH, IL

ROOM Thought "otil't SttI' Ill SOlIlN
and ask Doris about my father. and to
nv surprise found her with the min
iature i'm her hand, the tears rolling
softly down her cheeks. | stepped
back before she saw me, and hurried tC
bed where | was soon fast asleep and
dreaming Of Doris and her handsome
lover. The days dragged along, as
they do where there is sickness in the
house, and all the time | could spare |
was with Doris in my fathers room.
Sometimes | could induce her to take
walk, and as often insisted upon hel
going over the story of her absent one
whose name she would never tell me,
but in whom | was strangely interest
ed. I'm the course of three or four weeks
my father was so far recovered as tC
be considered convalesccnt, and Doris
returned to her dreary quarters on
Crown street, until her services were
in demand somewhere else.
One day towards the end Of January
as | was coming home from school, |
was about turning out of Fourth street
into Apple Tree Lane, when | was ac-
costed 10y man, evidently gentleman
and a stranger.
81 beg your pardon, Miss, but can
YOU direct me to the house of Mr.. Israel
Hartley?"
"Friend Hartley is my father" l an
swered, land if thee will come with me
| will take thee to our house,
| secretly wondered what business
this fine looking man could have with
my father, and hoped it would shortly
transpire. His face seemed familiar,
and vet | could never have met him,
as in my short life my acquaintances
have been so few as to he easily reck-
on,d. Reaching the house, | directed
i..c servant to show him to the best
parlor while | went in quest of my
''Father. there is young man who
wishes to see thee, and his name is War
ringtOn. Who is he. and what does he
want?''
''Daughter, thou shouldst learn to
hold thy curiosity in abe.yance. His
business with me can he no concern of
thine"
That | did not agree with my father
IN this point, goes without saying, but
| had no means of satisfying my very
natural coriositv so was obliged to wait
developments. | prowled about the
parlor door. hoping the young man
would soon appear, not dreaming that
ne would be invited to stay to supper,
md spend the evening. But going to
he dining room, | was surprised to see
IN additional cover laid, the only change
hat was ever made i'm our methodical
no matter whom the guest.
Aunt Judith wis rs unusual, superin-
ending the table arrangements.
''Annis, thee will sit in thine own
Dlace, but keep thine eyes from the
ace of the stranger; it is not s,emly
or a young maiden to gaze at Il per-
son of the opposite sex.
"Whv, who-where is he-is he 60
ng to stay to snpper!'
Thee is needless excited; is there
lnything startling in Il stranger sup
Ding with us? Thee must he more
'ubdued, or thee can eat thy supper in
,hy room"
TO avoid such calamity | became
silent enough, but before the bell rang,
;ook care to put a few extra touches
IN my quaint and sombre garb, which
vas dark gray merinO dress and white
apron. Not rutlle. nor a bit Outright
ribbon, such as all girls delight in, was
ever permitted to wear, and Aunt
Judith was scandaliZed ut small gold
brooch with which | som times fasten-
.d nv linen collar. On this momen-
rOus OccaS.o.l. however. | discarded my
white apron as too childish and and
substituted on, of black silk, and actu-
lllv had the har,lihOod to gather my
Antire crop of carnations, coscisting of
five bright. lovely flowers that grew in
A sunny window in my own room, and
place them in the bosom of my dress;
tried the effect of one or two in my
hair. but that would have been too
great suggestion of vanity and world
liness to please Aunt Judith, So with a
siyh | took them ont and put altogeth
pr in nv waist. The bell rang, and
when | reached the dinino-room all
were assembled. each standing by his
chair waiting for all to sit down at
once. as was our custom.
.Frend Arthur: this is my daughter
Annis," said my father but was inter
rupted 10y Aunt Judith saving, with
such a display of worllliness | should
think thee would not he he sure wheth
er or not she is thy daughter"
| know my cheeks must have rival
ed the carnations in color at this. but
made no reply, and felt profoundly
grateful to my father. even less rigo-
rous and eXactlng than his sister, when
he said, 80. Judith, say rather 'Heav-
enliness' for the gool Lord made the
flowers she wears-ch, little daughter.
My aunt, like many excellent people
had the faculty Of making the most
remarks, 50 | was in ter