Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-03-26
La PLATA, MARYLAND, MARCH 26. 1897

hS Whdt pore writing Is at times. Now
what to do with myself. A distressing
point to consider. l wonder II one
couldn't die Of stagnation here. might
under other circumstances. Ahl 1 had
almost forgotten my letter. will mail
that and then run over for a chat"
This slightly ambiguous conclusion
was evidently highly gratifying to the
speakers feelings, for he smiled quite
cheerfully as he changed his coat, took
his hat from the peg on the door and
left his room.
Ten minutes walk brought him to the
posto1ice, and upon his inqulrlng for the
mail, one letter was handed to him, As
the writing was quite strange he turned
the envelope several times, examining Il
critically.
Gaining no information in this way,
he went to the corner by the window.
and breaking the seal, read with much
surprise the several closely written
pages.
DEABJAcK-Your letter received and
much appreciated Under present cir
cumstances l scarcely hoped to be re-
membered at all, and my disappointment
In that particular is therefore the more
gratifying.
Upon reflection, don't feel grateful
at all. After your pitching into me
feel decidedly ungrateful, not to say be-
lgerent. What have l told Mr.. Mtllard?
You ask, with inquisitorial brevity. How
under heaven did find out so much
about you, and why in the mischief
didn't l lety into the secret? So you 20
on for page or two. Now, my dear
fellow, just cool off bit. There's moth
ing in the world to get into mysteries
about. In substance, told Mr.. Millard
that you were my friend and an exceed
ingly nice young man In every respect.
What more would you have?
As to family history, relationship.
geneology, and such intricate subjects, /
know as little of yours as l do Of nv
own. refrain on principle from becom-
ing interested in such unsatisfactory re-
searches. My own family has never
been particularly distinguished. thank
heaven, and If should, by some remote
cSance, become great, shall not be
subjected to the painful experience OF
being overshadowed by my father nor
grandfather. This with all possible re-
spect for those two worthy gentlemen.
Speaking of family ties naturally sug-
gests Uncle John. The old sinner sent
me an article the other day on How a
Young Man Can Live on Ten Dollars a
Week. / returned it with elaborate
thanks, and the mild inquiry as to
whether it might not be applicable to old
men as well. No answer as yet.
The city gets on pretty well without
you. A few people are still left. We
are not deserted village by any means,
though your quarters look dismal
enough. Scenery with you attractive,
you say. I'll warrant you find certain
pair of eyes attractive, too. Well,
don't blame you. I've been there be-
fore, you know.
by the way, ran across John the
other day. He inquired for you most
particularly. There's young stranger
at his house-weighs ten pounds, and is
said to resemble his father, so far as a
pronounced color permits one to Judge,
If you had married Mrs. John, as we
thought one time you might, this Joy
would have been yours. Do you feel no
regret? Answer in your next. In haste.
FRANK"
Frank, repeated Mr.. Jack Bevsrly,
with the air Of one 'cxptiaps. directions.
look out upon him from its pages.
Who In the devil is Frank? And who
is John, and Mrs. John, whom l might
have married, and the young vlsitor2
Confound it, wonder who is trying to
play joke on me. A mighty poor one,
/ must call it. Frank Frank Did
ever know anyone by the name of Frank?
Never to my certain knowledge"
He knitted his brow over this effort at
recollection, and looking straight before
him, gave vent to a long, low whistle.
Then once moro reading his letter with
out gaining any wisdom thereby, he put
it in his pocket, with the words, "I'll
find the writer of this brilliant effusion
before 1 die. Now to see if Miss Kitty
Is at home.
With this idea in view, he sauntered
out into the shady street, and walked for
some distance in deep thought. Turn
ing from the little village into a we'll
kept road, he soon reached q handsome,
modern looking residence, surrounded
by beautifully laid out grounds.
"Ah, she is there, he said softly, as a
tall, fashionably dressed girl rose from
the hammock and came to meet him
with the words:
Il thought you might come this after
noon. Mamma is out, and l have been
dreadfully lonely"
TO BE CONTINUED.