The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-12-23
Said Kathryn. some three months

/
Here we've had a horse all this time,
and I've not once ridden behind il.
suppose I've no right to complain. but
if had a sister and horse, I'd bring
the two into some sort of agreeable
connection or I'd set myself up Cor 4
model of selfishness."
Him! Would you really ride behind
the despised goat?"
"Since she's been clipped she seems
TO have regained her youth. She's al
most coltish."
But would you?-do you mean it?"
IF had chance"
"In the beginning I made a resolu-
ton that nobody, save myself, should
ever drive Flora"
Break it,"
never break a vow. There is one
other way out of the difficulty. I'll
take it to prove I'm not as selfish as
you think"
Kathryn smiled graciously and re-
sumed her embroidery, but that after
noon she was invited to a drive.
Leaving mother at home?"
Taking mother with u.s."
81 don't understand"
Look out of the window"
There stood Flora, appearing VERY
gay and youthful in new russell har-
ness, before two-seated blackboard
MY sake! The whole turnout is a
symphony in browns! How swell!
And-whose?"
| mime. VIII YOU gO?"
won't 70"
Barbara, my daughter! Have yon
mortgaged all your small fortune to this
horse?" demanded Mrs. Belts, as Flora
gayly skinned over the ground with
three admiring women behind her.
"Aunt Mary's legacy has gone into
this rig"
"Oh, then, you'll have nothing left to
sacrifice"
only myself"
You'll be sold next. Or Flora, to
pay for herself"
IF she is l will be. Whoever takes
one must the other"
1T is clear infatuation and-ruin."
1T is pure Affection
Stuff"
When that drive was over Miss Bar
bara had visitor. This was unusual.
The more so that the visitor was gen
tleman. The maid ran out to the stable
where Bah was putting Flora to bed,
and announced: "Theres a man wants
to see you, miss"
All the male acquaintance she had
formed since coming to Belleyille were
connected with Flora's- the family's
requirements. This was probably
the feed man" with another bill. The
young woman's lips took on their most
soft expression.
well, I'm completely bankrupt.
But Flora shall not starve if l do. Her
appetite. though, is something fright
ful. However, send the fellow out
here"
Flora was never allowed to retire ex-
cept in the trimmest order, with name
in "crimps" and every hair exact. Miss
Barbara did not relax in her attentions
for so slight thing as call and prob
able dun. Her face was grim and eyes
averted till a masculine football and
"Ahem!" compelled consideration.
Then she did look up, indeed, and
screamed: "Oh. my-you!'
Great Caesar, Barbara. You? Are
you the woman who bought my sisters
horse?"
This is my horse. I do not know
your sister," codly.
She had instantly rallied from her
agitation.
But beg pardon, you do. She WAS
this animals owner obliged to part
with it after her husbands failure,
just got back from the mines-South
America-and heard it. | am trying
to recover her scattered household
gods. This beast, l suppose, was one
of them. | came to buy it, but how
should [ dream that Miss Belts was
my Miss Betts-my Barbara! After
ten years of waiting, darling! l take
all the blame. l was hot-tempered and
unjust. l should have remembered
how firm you always were
NO; I'm an old maid now, and they
call me 'sot.'"
Flora's would-be purchaser walked
in and closed the stable door behinLi
him.
well, of all things!" exclaimed Mrs.
Belts, from her point of view. If
Barbara were younger"
It's all right, mother. The maid
says that the gentleman is the brother
of Flora's first mistress"
After some time Bah came in, the
stranger with her.
Mother, do you remember Mr.. Gray
don? | used to know him at the uni
versity."
The lady's memory failed. but she
accepted the statement without COM
ment. Not so quietly. however, that
which followed: "And I've sold Flora"
"Sold-Flora Impossible! How
could you?"
"Because-because I go with the
horse. "-Leslies Monthly.
Awkward for the Stalls.
Two dear old ladies, who had evil
IDENTIFY called at the Sign OF the Jug on
the way, went to see The Sign of the
Cross" in Adelaide. They had parcel
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