Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1898-04-15
Playing at Sweethearts.

copy it, " she pleaded, anxiously. A
man is only fcol, after all, however
much he studies and learns. Do You
aS,S1MfIig sQddegly bent down and
,s961 - and she blushed like q
carnat1on.
Il won't let you blunt your finger
tips with Typewriter, | said, gal
lautly. But you shal copy some
pieces for me till you lind some nice
] Young man and your engagement
ends 1t was best to have clear
understanding, thought.
/ "Ye-es," said she, thoughtfully;
but oh, Cousin Frank k-suppose |
didn't find any one else?"
Then l shall have to marry yo1
myself. 1t wonld be better than old
nlutus, wouldn't it?"
"Oh, yes. But shouldn't like-I
couldn't bear TO think that you had
sacrificed yourself to me. I should be
such bother, shouldn't T."
looked down aaectionatey on the
rnmpled hair and inquiring eyes. 81
think I think, Mandy" I said, gem
tly, Il coul1 put up with you very
well. But We have been so used to
look upon one another in a different
light that it's rather late to change.
You see, dear, | have grown into a
iidgety old bachelor
"You're not really old, and you're
never fidgety with me, and owe you
50 much. >
I'd merely paid for her schooling
and pocket money and SO on. / prom
ised old Tom-poor old m!-that
Ed take care of his girl.
That's nothing to do with il,
Mandy" / said, slowly. ''You see,
I've lot of interests which you could
never share. She shook her head,
doubtflllly. ''And like to rush off.
when I'm not working, to mems rec
reations-to play cricket, to watch
football or"
Il like watching football, she OBJ
served, eagerly.
"I'm used to having meals when |
please and going out when like and
coming in when l like. OF course, 1
couldn't do that if | had wife. 1t
wouldn't be ( IT..
1T would lie little lonely for her,
said Amanda, wistfully.
80, = I continued, resolutely, re-
s;9ling an absurd impulse to kiss her
again, ''though 1 think you the incest
little woman in the world, dear
smiled Just like the sun coming out
sit would be better for YOU to find
some one younger and less crotchety. "
She tapped the ground rapidly with
one little foot. Meanwhile. we're
engaged, You know, and we must live
up TO it. Where shall | take you to-
morrow
"0h. no. You must do lot of your
book tomorrow aud give me some
copying to do-about brains aud spines
and things"
Nonsense, child, Don't l always
take you out when come to town.
Shall we go to the academy?' She
laughed her old childish laugh.
"And lunoh at a restaurant?" she
inquired, delightedly And go to
the Crystal Palace afterwards and
have tea in the gardens and see the
variety show and dine on the terrace
like we did last year?" She squeezed
my arm in her old way. ''Won't it he
iolly?"
The next day took her to the Zoo
and smiled to see her laugh at the
monkeys. The day after [ took her
to the exhibition and up the big
wheel aud put my arm round her be-
cause she was frightened, or pretended
to be. I squeezed twice for good
night. Then | began to see that it
would be bad for the Cerebral Con
volutions' if this sort of thing went
on. So | sent for Nephew Frank to
come up to town at once. That light
hearted Young gentleman held his
sides with laughter when l explained
the situation
so Tn to court your fancee she
used to be pretty little girl-and
take her off your hands for an allow
ance of $500 year?" he said, wiping
his eyes; "e500 and G30O make $500
e4OO apiece"
Exactly l said, approvinglv.
''You always were smart at figures,
Frank"
"But, my dear uncle, suppose she
won't has me? Besides, I'm not
sgre, buS12I think I'm Just a little
gone on Nellie Marchant? Suppose
l don't care for your Amanda"
She's awfully nice, Frank; you
couldn't help it." l was surprised at
my doleful tone.
Then, said he, "whyeyer don't
You marry her yourself?"
81 lit a cigar ana drummed on the
fender with my slipper. ''I'm too old
too settled in my bachelor ways,
Frank, said, regretfully. 81 don't
know I'm not sure if it would do. 4"
81 believe it would be the best thing
in the world for you" Frank leaned
over the table earnestly. He's an
honest, unselfsh lad; that's why Pm
so fond Of him. And | know he'd be
good to her.
"Well," | said, slowly, "Ill be
honest with you, Frank. I'm fond of
The child-very fond, indeed. If |
thought that she could like me-in
thar way-Fm hanged if | wouldn't
chance it, But she only looks upon
ms as an elder brother. Soae day,
she - | paused to blow my handker-
ehief-''she would find out. 1t Itwouldn't
do; I'm sure it wouldn't do. "
So it was arranged that / should be
busy finishing my book and see less
Of Amanda. And Frank was to see
her every day, to find out if she would
like him better than me or if he could
like her better than Nellie Marchant.
This arrangement lasted for fort
night, but none of us seemed quite
ourselves Mandy grew staid and
silent. | couldn't do anything right
with the book, an Il something seemed
wrong with my liver Even cheerful
Frank grew bit bad-tempered. At
the end OF the fortnight he burst in