Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-05-07

CHAPTER XII.
.Mr. Beverly's down stairs, and ho
wants to sec you. Mercy, look what
you have done."
"No; your fault, Jeannette. You
spoke 90 suddenly"
well, who thought you was going to
lump up in that style. You might have
killed the kitten, besides putting a
grease spot on the carpet, and breaking
the saucer,
Yes, know; but didn't, you see.
Which one Is it,"
at belongs to the best set, and thero
amt but four"
"Oh, / don't mean the saucer. I'm
talking about the man. Is it"
IT'S Mr.. Beverly. The Mr.. Beverly,
if that's what you mean. Don't fly up
again now, and I hope you'll soon be
going down too, or he'n wear out the
carpet with his walking. He dent seem
able to keep still.
Angry, thought Mary, dashing some
cold water on her checks. Il wonder if
had not better change this dress. 1
have made it so wet.
This change or costume was a longer
process than she had bargained for So
many wrong hooks got into so many
wrong eyes, that both time and patience
we're required to set them right, and
after the task was finally accomplished
DER face was so red and so hot as to neces-
state another application of cold water.
Il hope he is angry, she seid under
her breath, as she reached the lower
hall and heard tho rapid walking that
Jeanette had rather deprecated. If
be is angry he may say something which
can answer back, and then l may get
rid of this dishrag sort Of feeling"
Good morning" she added aloud,
though in slightly unsteady voice, as
she came to sharp standstill in the
doorway. Have you seen grandpa?"
"Yes. But did not come to see him.
came to see you. Will you come in,
please, and sit DOWN."
Thus invited, Mary took possession of
chair near the door, and Jack retained
his standing position in the center of
the room.
Il received your grandfather letter,
he continued after second, during
which her face had turned various colorsi
under his glance, and your message
acknowledgment. rather. Have you
nothing to add to it, Nary"
The tone, moro than the words, gave
Mary such a spasm Of contrition that
she cried quite vehemently.
Il do want you to forgive me, il you
only can"
The next second Jack had lifted her
burning face to the light.
Il believe 1 can, ~ he returned in a
tender voice, though you have been SO
cruelty hard upon me. How could you
think me such villain, Mary?"
Don't look at me in that wayl" she
exclaimed, trying to cover her face frora
his sight. Il can never, never be sorry
enough. I know I've been hateful, and
Jealous, and sus-"
NO more adiectives, please. I VIII
simply add, for my own qualification,
that you have been very proud girl,
who would not give poor Jack a chance
20 vindicate himself. That comes with
good grace from me, but you must not
call yourself names. l cannot allow it.
You are too precious to me.
Here Jack found his face so near hers
that he thought it expedient to give
some extra proof Of his assertion.
If you care to be precious TO me, ;" he
added, after this slight interruption.
Il think you are a very generous
man, was Marys only answer.
Am l? 1 don't know that 1 deserve
very great credit. My generosity is
wholly selfish. But, such as it is, I'm
waiting for you to reward it. / feel that
have been in the lowest depths for the
last two or three days, and am only be-
ginning to enter heaven. Repeat the
promise you made before, Mary. Darling,
say you will be my wife.
He clasped his arms about her waist,
and drew her toward him with passion
ate intensity.
"Oh, jack" she cried, with consider
able protest, you have such Away"
Il can't help it, he returned. Il must
show you how dearly 1 love you. You
have not answered my question, either.
viii you"
You know I will," was her highly
convincing reply, as her face dropped out
Of sight on his shoulder.
1T is all wish, he responded, hap
PLY content. What a happy man you
have made me. And yet" he added,
with much reproach, you would have
allowed me ia NOPE in misery, rather
than say, Jack, want you What a
proud, cruel girl. l have had to make
all the advances"
And 1 am very glad you have, re-
piled Mary, frankly. You could do it,
and l couldn't. How did 1 know YOU
cared any longer? thought you might
not; and suppose I had said, Jack, I
want you,' and you didn't want me-"
Mary sighed over the bare suggestion
Of this prospect.
Impossible possibility" rejoined
Jack, If the remark be not paradoxical.
l think 1 must punish you for even en-
tertaining it. Though l don't half be-
lieve you did. You really could not in
conscience, you know"
Il won't think SO any MORE" she
promised by way Of reparation. II in
tend to improve very much. You don't
know how good l am going to be.
Don't l, he whispered very lovingly,
my own darling, I don't care to know, I
am satisfied with you as you are. The
thorns only make my rose more sweet. :"
May come in?" asked a quiet voice
at the door.
Certainly, responed Jack wholly un-
abashed. You find US in quite botan-
ical vein.
"You don't believe him, do you?" cried
Mary, leaving Jack rather precipitately,
and placing her hand half shyly in her
grandfather's. You can guess a great
many things, can't you? 1 suppose you
knew he was here.
"Yes, my dearest, was the old gen.
tleman's reply, as he placed his arm
around her and looked with kindly eyes
upon her happy, shining face. Il saw
him first. But 1 will say that he only
Fave me time to assure him that, though
he is not the son of my old friend, he has
nevertheless won a place in my heart
which no one can take from him.
"A most encouraging assurance, put
in Jack. 1T leads me TO hope that you
may the moro readily receive me as a
grandson. / have decidedly set my
heart on that relationship, and Mary
can not make up her mind to do with
out me-"
. Il always said he had assurance, >"
whispered Mary, rubbing her cheek
against her grandfather sleeve.
The old gentleman smiled upon her
with inexpressible affection. Then, Civ
Ing his hand to Jack, he said very earn
estlY: