Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-03-19

small country station. l suppose Una
Is the village through the trees yonder
l wonder what sort of hotel I'll fint
there. First rate, Frank says. But
know just how far his opinion goes
However, the scenery is promising, anC
dare say can stand a few weeks o.
this. So far so good. Now to see abouf
my trunk and then"
"Hellol where is my trunk"
With tho question on his lips the
speaker moved down the narrow plat.
form without eneountering the familiar
object he sought.
A small trunk Of black leather, bear.
ing his initials but no further resem.
blance to his property, was the only OBJ
jeet in sight.
"A nice piece of business" he NUT
tered. WHAT'S to be done, wonder
All, man at last. Perhaps he car
throw some light on the subject"
Your trunk, sir, repeated the new.
conner, when the grievance was ex-
planned. Isn't that it, sir?"
THAT thing!" Jack gave rather an un-
complimentary glance toward the small
object Of black. "No, mine does moi
resemble that in the least. They have
failed to put it off evidently, and mean
time 1 am greatly inconvenienced.
i am very sorry, sir. No mistake in
checking it, 1 suppose?"
"Mistake-no. | bought my ticket for
Weston, and received my"
"Ah," interrupted the man, with a
smile of intelligence, this is South
Weston. Weston is five miles above.
Jack looked slightly bewildered.
South Weston" he repeated, in per-
picked tones; l don't understand.
No, sir; very natural mistake.
Two names much alike. I'll telegraph
for your baggage. What name, please?'
Name? Oh, my Dame-Beverly, but
wait second. There's no necessity to
send for the thing. I'll take the next
train to Weston
IF you are Mr.. Beverly, sir, you don't
need to go to Weston
Jack turned with a decided start to
see the station master nodding famil-
iarly to a short stout man who had
come rather noiselessly upon them.
I'm sorry I'm late, sir, continued
tho intruder. "Maie was in one of his
tantrums. The carriage is right here,
If you'll follow me.
Carriage, repeated Jack, knitting
his brows in grave perplexity. Whose
carriage?"
An expression of surprise passed over
the mans somewhat stolid face.
Mr.. Millard's, sir, he answered,
Your letter was delayed; we didn't get
it until this morning. Tho old gentle-
man and Miss Millard expect you"
"The deuce they do, muttered Jack
under his breath. "DIillard Millard!
All, the name of Franks charming
friends; and my letter? Oh, Franks, l
dare say. Peculiar, though, declare. I
wonder If this fellow is perfectly sane. !"
Look here, he added aloud; "are you
quite sure that Miss, that is, Mr..
Oh, confound it. Are you sure l am ex-
pected?"
Tho old man evidently thought he had
wasted sufficient time in idle question
ing, for his answer was somewhat short.
" Mr.. Beverly is expected, sir; was told
to meet him."
"All right" was the agreeable answer.
Il cannot be mistaken in my own iden-
tity. Under the circumstances, 1 sup
pose, should telegraph for my trunk.
What is your name? Toby, eh? And
this is the carriage and Maize. Well,
Toby, let me know when we reach our
destination.
With these words Jack stepped into
the carriage, lit cigar, and settled him
self to enjoy the picturesque scenery
about him.
: Here we are, sir"
After twenty minutes riding Toby's
head was thrust through the window
with this information.
Are we?" questioned Jack, recalling
lis wandering thoughts and turning his
attention to the house before him. 1t
was long, low structure OF stone and
= quaint, old-fashioned garden, whose
beds and borders were medley of
flowers.
Here comes Miss Millard, sir"
Again was Toby's head thrust through
he window, and Jack found fresh OBJ
ect to engage his attention. This time
t was a girl riding towards him.
Whether she was pretty he could not
lecide after his first brief scrutiny, but
Ter attire was highly notwithstanding.
rhe faded, ill-fltting waist and skirt had
evidently been diverted from its original
lse, and dignified into riding habit,
md the battered straw hat, confined be-
leath her chin by an almost colorless
'iece of ribbon, bore ample proof of long
md hard service.
"An ill-dressed woman is always an
commented Jack, @but
hot {,-i.r hnof5 onx-fbfnar
,ome across. begin to think this fam
ly slightly off their mental lAlance.
1onfound that hat. 1t hides Mr. face
Back already, Toby?' asked fresh,
,lear voice, in lowered tone, as the
,wner of the old hat came to a stand
till.
"Yes, Miss Mary, and I've got him.
"Oh, Toby, was the answer in half
whisper. What way to express it.
he may think we have some designs up
N him. Is he in there?"
"Yes, miss, returned Toby, glancing
through the carriage window to assure
limsell n this point.
Mary slipped from her saddle.
Il suppose you are Mr.. Beverly" sho
aid, looking rather curiously at Jack.
am glad to see you, Mr.. Beverly.
Won't you come in. will tell grandpa
-ou are here.
The tone was warm and cordial, and
lack found himself studying intently
he dark, naughty face.
1t held all the charm of caprice and IL
usive moods. No feature was perfect.
The mouth was too broad, the nose too
hort. but the eyes were clear and beau
iful, the complexion rich and warm, tho
ips full and mobile.
Frank was right in one particular,
ras his mental comment, as he followed
larry through the broad hall into The
Imple parlor.
"Pll ltell grandpa you have come, Mary
aid again when they had reached this
oom. He is quite an invalid. / fear
ou will find US both rather prosy. We
ave so few visitors. AS rule, I'VE don't
h hem.
IN t is rather plain spoken, isn't it?"
he az d with a slight accession Of
olor, "buv ,rou must understand what
nean. Grandpa has decided that we
hall be friends. He has been looking
onward to your Wit for some time.