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

I
the cool, fresh morning to find the
bright sunlight pouring through the
broad, deep windows.
He required some seconds to accustom
his eyes to his new surroundings, then
bouncing out OF bed and dressing with
unusual haste he found his way to the
garden.
"Ah," he said, inhaling with keen en-
1oyment the pure, fresh air about him,
what contrast to the cityl l wonder
II she Is about"
You shouldn't speak your thoughts
aloud, II you don't wish people to hear
them. Have you Just come DOWN. I've
been up for hours. MAZE and ]. have had
glorious gallop."
Jack turned with a slight start, to see
Mary standing in the path beside him.
How did you get here without my
seeing or hearing your" he questioned
with some astonishment. Did you rise
from the ground or drop from the cloudsY"
Neither, inquisitor. 1 am only an
ordinary mortal, so ordinary that 1 am
about starved at the present moment.
Do come to breakfast, please"
Certainly" returned Jack, following
obediently, with great pleasure. 1 have
not been riding, but my appetite has as
sumed extraordinary proportions, con-
fess."
Mr.. Miliard was seated in the dining
room reading, but as they entered he
laid his book aside, and after kissing
Mary greeted Jack with kindly warmth
Il hope you are both in good appetite, ,
he said, as they seated themselves about
the table. Il can safely count on Mary.
| think"
Always, grandpa. More particularly
this morning l am ravenous, and l see
mullins. Under the circumstances J
must begin my breakfast.
Grandpa, she added, when the first
| edge Of her hunger was borne away,
Mr.. Beverly has confessed to being
something of an artist. That something
Is his qualification, not. mine. He has
also promised to show me some of his
sketches, provided I show him some
views worth copying. think that must
be pleasant way Of making ones liv-
ing. Painting pictures, 1 mean"
Yes, my DEAR smiled her grand
father; but with Beverly it is an amuse-
ment, rather than profession"
lie turned his eyes questioningly upon
Jack.
Il must confess to having made it my
pausing in the act 81 butterIh2gu his in.' mn
fin.
The Old gentleman appeared puzzled.
You surprise me. l understood you
practiced law. Is it possible 1 imagined
it, or could have been thinking Of your
father2 How well l remember his first
case. What fine start it gave him. 1
told myself then he would surely sit on
the bench some day. Vain prophecy
Alas, how time flies; it seems but few
years since, and yet"
He sighed and fell into musing
mood.
Evidently off his mental balance, 4"
thought Jack, surprised at the informa-
ton he had just received. Father
never had a law case to my knowledge.
Perhaps I'm off too. 1t would not sur
prise me in the least. l wonder if
shall hear any more new points in my
history"
In this he was disappointed. Mr.. Mil
lard preserved an almost unbroken ST.
lence during the rest of the meal, and
Immediately at its conclusion withdrew
to his library, telling Mary to take good
care of Jack.
That leaves me to your tender mer-
cies," said Jack when they were alone.
| What do you intend to do with me?"
Il don't know, she said quite serious
ty. What would you like?"
Suppose we walk, he suggested.
We'll. Oh, I forgot, have not fed
the chickens yet. 1 must do that first. "
All right; let me help you"
"You," she repeated with an ire
pressible smile. We'll, yes, you may,
but I warn you in time. You don t
known what you bargain for.
-I'll bear the consequences. Lead
on"
Thus commanded, Mary tied her hat
| under her chin, and with Jack in her
wake, proceeded to the kitchen.
rs the chickens breakfast readyP"
she asked, walking in upon the aston
ished Jeanette. "Mr. Beverly mado
me forget the poor little things. l hope
they have not starved to death"
Il wonder what you can be thinking
Of, Miss Mary, was the answer, as jean
nette gave a comprehensive glance at
Jack standing meekly in the doorway.
~Of the chickens, of course, re-
sponded Mary, composedly. Mr.. Bev-
erly intends to keep off the old hens and
roosters. He will be useful as well as
ornamental"
Jack bowed gravely at this allusion to
his double capacity, while Jeanette
| continued to look mildly shocked
"I'll feed them chickens myself" she
finally declared, with ungrammatical de-
cision.
You'll do nothing of the kind, was
the equally decisive reply. Here is the
! pail, Mr.. Beverly; please carry it"
/ Certainly, was the prompt response,
| as Jack brought down a pile of kettles
| and pans in his effort to reach Mary the
more readily. ANY damage?" he added,
stopping short.
NO, SIR" answered Jeanette; "but ]
do feel SO asha ned of Miss Mary"
Come" said Mary, with imperious
brevity; and, Jack obeying promptly,
| they were soon the center of a group Of
expectant chickens.
Evidently this pail appeals to theil
appreciative minds and palates," re-
marked Jack; 'or is my manly beauty
the attraction?"
The pail, certainly" returned Mary
with misunderstanding assurance. Now,
will show you what to do. This is only
for the mother hens and young chickens,
feed them here, and always have such
time to keep the older ones from get.
ting in. See that opening there? That
Is where you are to stand and keep g
sharp watch. They will get in if YOU
give them crevice. First drive those
little ones in. Pshaw! You'll frighten
inc life out of them. See-this way.
Shake your apron at them"
But 1 have no apron expostulated
lack.
We'll, you must shake something;
gour coat will do. There, they are in.
set stick, quick, and should another
chicken try to pas, strike it, if you can. "
Mary gave these instructions with the
almost gravity. The ludierous side Of
;he situation did not appear to her in
the least, and Jack, quite carried away
! oy the excitement of the chase, had no
time for any other consideration.
You look tired already" observed
Mary, after few seconds, as Jack