Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1897-02-19

Ii heigh.
ayes" she replied, "bat l fn1 it
very difficult indeed to get foot
hOld.
do you write stories? Excuse the
liberty I take, but I feel quite an in
ierest in yoa.
"0a, thank you Yes, do try my
hnnl occasionally at short story"
"Well, Miss IL ,leigh, what do you
think of this for plot? Do ycu
think it could be woven into story?
can only giy9 you the incidents as
far us know them, SO you would have
to make your own conclusion. Above
all, it has the merit Of being true.
Shall give you the incideuts?'
"if You would be SO kind, l should
bc extremely grateful
Then here they are. BY curious
coincidence your name is that of the
heroine, aud it is thnt fact which has
recalled everything TO my mind. q"
Hardiage proceeded with his tale.
He dared not look ut bi. visitor as he
remorsefully went ou ;perhaps it was as
well he did not do so, as the indescrib-
able agony which ovcrspreal her fea.
lures would have acted upon his
chiyalroas instincts and forced him TO
stop. But as be did not look in her
direction he did not notice this, and
| cruelty commenced:
"Some years ago-I forget how
many-a young fellow, who was my
chum at Oxford, spent his vacation at
Millfield, little village in the north.
While there Frcd--Fred Cover was
his name-met and fell in love with
the wears daughter. Annie Raleigh.
They became engaged. mud shortly
afterward he went ontE India, in or
der to represent his fat. 5 business
house in Calcutta.
"For some months correspond
ence passed between the two, but at
length Fred received word from some
friend in the village that the squire's
son was paying close attentions to Miss
Raleigh, and it WIS rumored that they
were engaged to be married. In a fit
of passion, Fred wrote breaking off
the engagement, even before he re-
ceived any corroborativo evidence.
The lady was either s:ung by the let
ter, or the runor was correct, as she
did not reply, aud from that day he
has never seen or heard Of her. He
did not make any inquiries, he did
not write to his informant, but simply
waited at Calcutta until he hnd set the
business affairs in order. Hs then
went off into the hlls, intending to
lose himself there, and cut himself off
from all things which would bring to
iniad his unfortunate love.
Poor follow! l often wonder
what has become of him. He has not
written to any Of his old friends, and
is, suppose, almost forgotten by all.
But really. Miss R,leisb," he added.
turning TO her and noticing her agi-
tated countenauc', "you don't lock
well. Can get anything for you?"
mo. thank you, Mr.. Harliuge. But
no doubt you will think me foolish
-your story has quite upset me. "
81 am awiuily sorry. would not
have related it had known. But
why should it upset you?'
"Well, said the laly, her pale lips
trembling, 81 am the Annie Raleigh
you have been speaking OF. Fred
Cover was my lover. Poor Fred, " she
added, medtativelv, "nud all through
a misunderstanding"
"A MISUNDERSTANDING" said Hard
inge in an iucredu.ous tone. "How
was that? Pardon my curiosity, but
no doubt you will understand why l
should be curious. .
"Well, as you were friend of his,
and know one part of the story, per-
baps it would be as well if you were
acquainted with tho other part" She
sighed deeply and went on: at is
true that the tquire's son did pay me
attentions. We we're busily engaged
in organizing some amateur theatricals
at the time, aud as We were both
taking prominent parts, we were
thrown into each others society u
great deal. But was entirely faith
full 10 Fred, and when Hinton did
make love to me l promptly gave him
his answer.
'But nm sorry TO say the tongues
of the villagers had already com
menced waggiug, anl l heard some
of the rumors Then Fred's petulant
letter came, and I felt so piqued and
offended Mt his suspectiug me, that 1
did rot answer. At length the feeling
wore of, anl l wrote, explaining all.
Bat the letter never reached its desti-
nationand was returned to me. Twelve
mouths later my father died, aud
gradually | was forced to adopt some
means OF obtaining living, and al
ways having taste for literature, 1
have tried to make my way in the lit
erary world. Poor Fred, his peiu.
lance and my pride ruined two lives, l
am afraid. Bat, Mr. Hardinge," she
said, raising her sweet blue eyes, now
suffused with tears, 81 have remained
faithful to my lovers memory"
'Fur heavens sake, Annie, look at