Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-03-19
la PLATA, MARYLAND, MARCH 49, 1897
. his. He shook his head with hall

20 his. He shook his head with a half
sigh
Most young ladies'" he began.
She raised her hands with protesting
gesture.
IF you have any consideration for me,
grandpa, don't bring up most young
ladies'. They and 1 have nothing in
common. Let us drop the subject. Do,
Tor one more interesting. Please tel
me what Jeanette means by her darh
hints about a visitor. Surely we are
not going to indulge in anything SC
glddy"
She gave him a half-laughing, half
questioning glance, and clasping her
hands about her knees, she rocked back
ward and forward, with a sort of rhythmic
motion.
What has Jeanette told you?" he
asked, smiling at her expression.
"0h, whole rigmarole, in odd bits
and at odd times. I'm to dress better
because he is rich and used to fashion
able girls. I'm TO dispense with my un-
eouth manners because he is accustom-
to lady-llke females. In short" she
added, with fine scorn, I'm to be per-
feet little prig to suit his fastidious taste.
Now, grandpa, if you have invited
man of that description to visit us can
not help saying you've done a most fool
ish thing. Didn't you reflect how
dreadfully plain we'll seem in con-
trast to his people2 and don't you
know that while am perfectly content
ed with my life and everything here, I'd
feel like killing man who'd dare to look
down on me or you. Men like him are
sure TO break out some time, and l know
I'll break out too. Who is he, anyhow
After such a TRADE, am almost
afraid to say" was the laughing re-
sponse. "But, he added more gravely,
i hope can trust you to be a polite
little hostess. 1 am particularly inter-
ested in this young Beverly. His father
and were old and dear friends. Cir
cumstanees, however, caused us to lose
sight of each other. He went to Cali
fornia, married there, and died a few
years later, leaving this son, of whose
existence heard only few months ago.
] wrote to him Immediately, receiving
quite characteristic letter in answer.
This visit is the result of my invitation.
| am anxious for you to like him and to
make his stay with us as pleasant as
possible. / am sure he cannot be other
wise than agreeable, as hear only the
best accounts Of him"
1T sounds very nice, said Mary, with
a reflective air, but it strikes me he will
have to be agreeable to make up for the
disturbance he'll create.
Three days later Jeanette was put
ting the guest room in order, and Mary
was watching operations.
Look here Jeanette" she cried gay
ly, Il believe you consider him a fairy
prince Inever saw you beat that old
bed so hard before"
Il want to make it comfortable, Miss
Mary. Your grandpas guest mustn't
have nothing TO complain of.
He'll be an ungrateful wretch IL he
does complain, returned Mary with de-
cision. we are going to give him a
royal welcome. bet he never had such
a big bed before In his life. hope he's
tall. You didn't hear grandpa say, 1
suppose?'
No, l haven't heard nothing about his
length or width either, and don't care,
neither. l only know you are wearing
me to bone, with them self-willed ways
of yours.
To WHAT" cried Mary with quiz
zical glance at the portly frame before
her. "Oh, Jeanette, you are pro-
voking sometimes. l suppose you are
still harping on my clothes. You'd have
me get lot Of new dresses just for that
man. hate new dresses. Besides, they
take lot of money, and 1 shouldn't
amount to anything after all my trouble.
If my old rigs are good enough for
grandpa, they are good enough for any
man in creation. don't care a snap OF
my finger for that Beverly, or whatever
his name is. He'll be sure to imagine
I'm dressing for him, so if my clothes
are outrageous he can't imagine it,
that's all there is about it. I'd like to
see him laugh at them. Just let him
dare"
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