The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1897-12-31

ana 7 lara was uull. DeSlQeS, Illle WdS
dragging from impatient anticipation
In two days her parents would arrive
from the West and receive from the
architects, the builders, the upholster
ers the great mansion by the Park as
complete as if from the rubbing oI
Aladdin's lamp. In two days she
would close dry and musty tones, and
open the book Of life at its most inter.
esting chapter In two days she would
cease to he schoolgirl and would be
come young lady. And so she was
we'll content to accept this mild ripple
of the pool tagnation.
1t was pretty sight to see teacher
and scholar on their way. The one
was so assiduous in attentions to the
other, and the other was so much better
adapted than the one to bestow them
The Madame was tiny and firm, 4
manikin in fact composed of equal por-
tions Of nutmeg and silk, while Clara
was finely formed, we'll set up, and Wig
orous with health, and she swung along
with a certain innate brceZiness which
a score of instructors for half score of
years had been unable to eradicate.
Naturally, then, she should have guided
her nervous and easily bewildered COM
panion. But she didn't; on the con-
trary, in shop and on the street, she
kept the poor woman facilitating be-
tween a gasp and a giggle, both of
which states were peculiarly distress
ing to one who placed department two
steps above cleanliness.
The afternoon was cold and sullen,
and the air heavy with mists soon to
become snow. When the commissions
were executed, the twain FASTENED to
an elevated-railway station and sue
ceeded in purchasing tickets just in
time to see a train depart. They wait
cd, and there was delay. Gradually
others joined them on the platforms; Il
knot OF ladies at the upper end, two or
three men lolling against posts and
gazing down upon the street. and pale
young man hearing green bag, pacing
to and fro. \ fashion plate on the
news stand displayed the latest eccen-
tricity from Paris caught the Madame's S
eyes and diverted them from her
charge. Clara sprang lightly upon the
step next to the track and stood look
ing toward the curve around which the
bclated train must come. 4 pictur-
esque and pleasing figure she made in
clear, bold outline. Was it made un-
consciously, or had the presence and
furtive glances of that pale young man
an inspiring influence? Certainly Clara
had noticed him, and had wondered
where she had seen him before, and had
felt veXed because she could not de-
eide. Certainly she was aware that
advantages demanded point of van
tagc. But alas! ever since the days
of Eve pride hath wrought the same
consequence. The flooring was icy;
Clara's dainty feet slipped. She fell,
| L. nd hn1, 1,,1n
position, with one foot caught between
the rail and the guard beam. And
along the track there came a premoni-
tory rumble, and around the curve shot
the belated train!
Clara screamed, as only the perfected
product ola fashionable boarding school
can scream. The ladies' at the further
end re-echoed the alarm The Madame
dropped her parcels, and, with upraised
palms, invoked Providence in acute
Gallicisms. The men against the posts
| threw away their cigars and swore and
sprang forward; but the pale young
man with the green bag swinging from
his arm was far ahead of their purpose.
In an instant he was down beside the
sill, had loosencd her poor little foot
from its absurd gear, for once sensible
in its ahsurdity, had raised her in lis
arms and set her back in safety, and
had leapcd to the platform himself from
under the very guard of the engine
Just in time. Just IN time-but the
green bag was ground into tatters on
the rail, and the arm from which it
swung hung limp and motionless.
There was confusion and hurry.
Those not intent on gaining the train
or the street were surrounding the girl
and the Madamc-espccially the Mad
ame-she chatted SO vehemently. The
pale young man, all, how pale, indeed!
lrncd and doubled and escaped gen
,ral notice. He was furtivcly making
rs way toward the egress, when a halt
inc. flushing, disheveled vision of love
.iness confronted him. She seized his
arm, and he winchcd and stood still.
"Oh, how gallant! how noble.'
Clara cried. How can thank you:
Won't you tell me who you are?"
1T doesn't signify" he stammered
ANY one would have done it. Par
don me, if | hurry. An important Ell
: gagement-
"Madcmoisellc! Mees Manleyr
screamed the Madame, fairly clawine
the air in her excitement. Com to-
to once to zc-ze dressing room! Ze
foot bare! Naked All, Ceil!'
The train had gone on, tie station