Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-04-02

much to my surprise. did not believe
this place could boast the possession Of
one"
But now that You know it can. your
opinion OF us is raised, dare say. We
are slightly civilized, you see.
Jack made no comment upon Mary'f
decidedly sarcastic words, but throwing
himself upon the grass beside her, ht
began TO unfold his paper. Presently
changing his mind he refolded it and
turning toward her said, somewhat ir
relevantly:
do you ever grow lonely here?"
She looked at him with some surprise,
and answered with unusual decision:
Never. It ia just the life love.
have grandpa and the horses. II 1 were
obliged to live in the city firmly believe
] would lose my mind But of course
you can't understand such perverted
taste, You think New York heaven"
The next thing to il, was the imper-
hirbable answer. If one could only have
all the money one could spend.
Most people don't know when they
have enough, returned the wise Mary.
"The more they have the more they
want. What is money, anyway? If |
have enough to eat and horse 10 ride
| am satisfied. don't care for dressing
not q snap of my finger. | could have
"a nice dresses as most girls, If | wished
for them, but don't, and haven't met
the man or woman yet whom | would
take the least trouble for. Now l am
going TO join grandpa. / see him in the
walk over there. You may do as you
please
"Thanks. said Jack, graveIy, rising to
his feet then have an ungraeious per-
mission TO fellow YOU? won'tyou Try to
treat me little more kindly2 Make an
effort, as Mrs. Chick would say By-the-
wey, you are not acquainted 9TH Mrs.
Chick"
NC. Ithlnk should change my name
were in her place
DO you dislike it? To mo it is pleas
antly suggestive
Il dare say, since she is your friend. :"
Now that you put it quite plainly, l
believe that she is my friend l have
sometimes considered the adyisability OF
falling in love with her.
The love that stops TO consider is
scarcely worth having, commented Mary.
Il suppose Mrs. Chick is a widow. L
dom admire widows. Does she live in
New York;"
This question, put In all sincerity, was
rather TOO much for Jack. Throwing
back his head he laughed uproariously.
May watched him with growing anger
why do you laughf" she asked, as
calmly as her feelings would allow
Jacks only reply was another uncon-
trOllable burst Of mirth.
You are laughing at mel" sho cried
with blazing eyes. How dare you
laugh at me? Tell me, this instant, what
l have said or done Tell me, say"
Her passion sobered Jack.
Please forgive me, he said peni-
tently. Il am not laughing at you
Rather at what you said. Not that,
either-that is Pshaw! I'll tell the
truth. Mrs. Chick doesn't really exist,
you know. She is a character in one OF
Dickens novels, and your"
Never mind explaining any more,
she interrupted, biting her lips liercely
. may as well tell you now that l never
read. / haven't the slightest idea who
Dickens is, and NJ curiosity what yer
on the subject.
Il hate himl" she cried fiercely to her
own reflection in her mirror that night
y do thoroughly hate him. He thinks
me an ignorant little goose, and 50 / am.
never so truly despised myself. But
he sha'n't remind me of my shortcom-
ings; indeed, he sba'n't. l suppose ho
thinks l will take anything from him,
because l am a country girl and know
nothing OF city ways and manners. He
shall find out his mistake. He sha'n't
patrOnize me. If itwere not for grandpa,
I'd make this place too hot to hold him.
With this conclusion she walked to
the window, and, looking down upon the
line OF light from the library window,
once more began her self-comments.
just as l thought. They are together.
l wonder if grandpa by any possibility
could grow TO like him better than me. IL
I thought that, would hate him in
earnest"
She compressed her lips tightly, and
leaving the window, she paused in the
center Of the room with an air of irreso-
luton.
Then, growing suddenly determined,
she thrust her bare feet into pair Of
well-worn slippers, and made her way
down narrow back stairway into the
the room where Jeanette was making
preparations for bed.
Mercy, save us, cried the somewhat
startled woman, as the flying figure
burst rather preoipitately upon her.
You've nearly frightened the wits out
of me, Miss Mary. Why amt you
asleep?'
Because I'm too much awake. want
to talk. Jeanette sighed audibly For
her 10 go to bed under present cireum-
stances, was out of the question. you
see 1 grow tired OF talking to myself"
explained Mary, seating herself on the
bed and dangling her feet from side to
side. so 1 decided to come down and
have chat with you. Do you say you
are not sleepy?"
"There'd be no use saying l was. was
the answer, with commendahle resigna-
ton.
True, returned Mary with reflect
i've air. How long has Mr.. Beverly
been here, Jeannette?'
Mr.. Beverly" repeated Jeanette,
surprised at the unlooked-for question.
week. Ten days"
Ten days. That all? 1t seems more
like month. Don't you think he has
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Assurance, Miss Mary? ] don't know
what you mean. I'm sure l never met q
pleasanter young man."
gotten around you, just as he has around
dear, innocent, unsuspecting grandpa J
dare say you'd both 20 down on you
fnees and thank heaven for the privilege
OF worsh'p;ng this superior Individual
1t is certainly strange how some people
can be imposed upon. Thank gracious,
my eye S are open.
Dear me, commented Jeannette. rs
she gave Mary rath curious glance.
NO; he can't deceive ne, pursued
Mary, dangling her feet with a rapidity
that lsept time with her thoughts. Il
thoroughly detest him. He is always
making me angry. And then l am rude,
and grandpa is ashamed He forever
puts himself where he isn't wanted and
expects me to dance attendance on him.
He's eternally bringing up his horrible,
noisy, dirty New York, as though that
were the only place in creation, and the
women there the only on who know