Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-04-23

0 generous wedge Of gingerbread, this
is what l call good"
"Do you know, she continued, after a
few moments silent enjoyment of her
refreshments, Il believe West has
really grown since l saw it last"
Il don't know about that, Miss, but /
do know we are improving wonderful.
so many city folks come here for the
summer. Next year we are going to
have another hotel, and everybody that S
got spare room is set on taking
boarders."
Are you?" asked Miry, setting down
her empty glass.
"Oh, no, Miss. 1 haven't a corner.
Besides, I'm too far from the town.
Take some more milk, Miss Mary
"No, thank you. You gave me such a
large glass. She walked TO the win
dow as she spoke, anI glanced down the
broad, shady street.
You have so ne very pretty girls, "
she added, after a second, as her eye
followed two young ledies on horseback.
Are those two natives or visitors?"
"Them?" said the woman, looking in
her turn. "They live here. That tall
ones Miss Ellis. She goes TO New
York good part of her time. She's
going to be married in few months"
"Ah, is she? How happy she must
feel. Looks, l mean
People think she has reason to
be happy. She's going to do very well.
They say Mr.. Beverly is a.
Mr.. Who?' cried Mary, turning
quickly.
Mr.. Beverly, repeated Mrs. Thom-
son, slightly surprised at Mary's tone.
. A mighty nice young man. He doeei. t
live here, of course; he comes from New
York, and darcsl ~ when they're mar
ried they'll go there altogether.
Mary still stood by the window She
could feel her knees tremble under her,
and STANCE, numb sensation creeping
about her heart.
"Will you tell me this-this gentle
mans S name?" she asked, after a second,
striving to make her voice caim and TO
keep Nil emotion from her face.
- Christine nnysief" repeoted the wom-
an, knit ng her brows in her effort tt
remember. I've heard it. know, anC
yet can't, somehow, reeollect.
An uncommon one, perhaps" sug.
gested Mary, in strange voice. 1T is
nothing like-Jaek.
There was a slight lingering over this
name, as.1bough she half feared to let il
leave her tips, but Mfs. Thomson took il
up eagerly.
That's it, Miss" she said, with de-
cision. Sometimes you know thing,
but can't just think at the time, and ii
somebody mentions it--Ah, Miss,
what's the matter? Are you illy"
Mary had clutched the window for
but at the woman's question
she stood upright again.
No, no, not i'll, sne answered, pain
fully. i may be tired. Ill sit here for
a few minutes, then l must be going"
You look rather pale, was The some
what anxious reply. Perhaps l might
get something to make you feel better. .
Thank you. Nothing could make me
feel better now. / think am rather in
terested IN Miss Ellis. Are you sure
about this engagement, and that his
name is-Beverly."
Yes, Miss. Everybody here knows
Il; and as for Mr. Beverly, I've spoken
to him He's nice in his MINERS
good-looking, too. l saw him not two
hours ago. He was with Miss Ellie
then"
Two hours ago, thought Mary. This,
then, was the reason for his going to
New York. How often during the hours
that she was not with him had he come
here to be with her?
OF course he had known her in New
York, had perhaps been engaged when
le came to Robin Rest. She had served
% amuse him. The world would call it
4 iirtation-nothing more. He had been
and she had been a fool to
.hink him in earnest.
She could realize now how unreserv-
IDLY she had given hor heart to him;
low utterly she had staked her life's
happiness on the weight of his word.
He had seemed so true, so earnest.
Even in the face Of such overwhelming
testimony it was hard to doubt him
While she remembered his words and
ylances. Mary never knew how she
cached home. Her pale checks awak-
ned her grandfather's concern at sup.
,er. She pleaded headache as cause,
md as soon as possible went off to bed.
The night was filled with miserable
thoughts. Hour after hour passed, and
'he tossed r.stlessly on her pillow At
me moment she would tell herself that
he no longer cared; that Jack had quite
,assed out of her heart and life; and at
he next she would pray that her walk
md its bitter revelations might prove
,nly dreadful dream. Oh, if she could
,ut wake to find the world as bright.
md herself as happy, as hopeful, and as
rusting as she had been but twenty
our hours before.
But morning found her sick and faint
rom want of rest and sleep.
i must get up, though, she said to
lerself. They must not know. No
,ody must know. He has stolen my
happiness from me. Yes, stolen it. /
vas so contented here with grandpa un-
il he came, and now Everything is
% different. All, he had so much;
Why should he have taken the only
hing had?
Il won't care, though, she added, in
ignantly, dashing tear from her eye.
must not give up to this weakness.
+ 1 don't hate him, must despise my
elf. / must-I do hate him..
Breakfast proved most trying ordeal.
eannette's sharp eyes and her grand
ather's anxious inquiries were difficult
o evade, and when the meal was
carcely half over she left the table with
be half-trembling words:
Grandpa, don't be anxious; I am per-
ectly well, but there are times when 1
annot bear your kindness. Please
ont speak to me now"
There is something wrong" said Mr..
1lllard, with grave glance at jean
cite. Il never saw heroet so strangely
efore.7
She doesnt look over and above
ell" was the answer, "and if she
admit seemed so bright yesterday morn
lg I'd say she and Mr.. Beverly. had
cen fussing, as they've been doing
he best part Of the last three weeks,
ut now can't make nothing of it.
ont think it's anything serious, though.
iothing that won't come II ght."
seannette was rather surprised when
sary came to her twenty minutes later,
nd putting a note in her hand, said:
Give it to Mr.. Beverly when he
ONES to-day. If he does come, she
dded.
Give it to him?" returned the old