Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1899-08-21


And is that all the newsy'' saucily
demanded Rupertine Cliffgate. wild
ow Prickett married again-and Alice
Brown gone TO Colorado--and young
Morris built a new house That isn't
much TO happen in eight weeks. Dear
dear, how stupid the country is. after
New York"
That's ALL" said Daisy, solemnly,
.'Except-oh. had almost forgotten TO
mention him-the new minister"
"A new Minister echoed Rupertine.
'Oh, | remelnber-old MIR Ward did
resign, just before | went away. And
there's new minister, Ell! What sort
OF man is he? Does he wear spectaE
cles and quote the Proverbs of solomon
through his n0sey'
"oh. nor said Daisy. half indignant
ly why. he's only twenty-five. and
has the finest dark eyes and
Unmarriedy' interrupted Rupertine.
breathlessly.
$50 they say--and perfectly devoted
to his books and studies"
us he!" retorted Miss Rupertine.
"Well then. after all. l shall not be
obliged TO let my sword of conquest
rust in its sheath. I'll teach this young
dominic that the proper study of man
kind is manor rather woman. Wen
go to church tomorrow, Daisy
rRupertinew
well. what are you opening your
round blue eyes SO wide forg I've got
a white Swiss muslin dress trimmed
with white ruffies and pink ribbon,
which | think will about settle Mr..
Mr."
'Ardham." put In Daisy. demurely.
And very pretty name. too-well
il will settle Mr.. Ardham's business for
him. oh, | tell You what. Daisy. these
young ministers are no more invulncra-
BILE than the rest Of the world. with
their long faces and their solemn
ways
Rupertine kept her word and went
to church the next day. Mr.. Ardham
saw her: he could scarcely have helped
that. for DIR. Cliffgate's pew was in
the very front of the middle aisle-and
Rupertine smiled secretly to herself TO
observe the momentary inattentiOn
which caused him almost to lose his
place in the hymn-book, whose leaves
lie was turning over.
'I'll teach him TO put st. Rupertine
among the list of canOnized beings
yet said the coquette 10 herself.
Rupertine walked up To the parson-
age the next day with Daisy. Old Mrs
Kershaw. who kept house for Mr.. Ard
ham. stared as If butterfly had flown
into dungeon.
Il didn't know you was one of the
workers. Miss Tiny" said she
ooh. well. Mrs. Kershaw." said the
beauty. I'm tired of fashion and friv-
olity, and | want to work Just as
Daisy. here. does"
And when Mr.. Ardham came down
to the old Cliffgate House one autumn
evening Rupertine went down to see
him, with a curious thrill at her heart.
as though IL hungered for something
afar off
Miss Rupertine," frankly began the
young minister, Il have long wanted
to tell YOU something.
"YesY Rupertine leaned graciously
toward him.
"Of course. ii IL matter of some
importance to me. but whether IL will
be to you or not"
"Can you doubt that. Mr.. Ardhamg
she asked. meltingly.
We'll. then; | am thinking of being
married.
You will tell me to whom?'
''That was my intention in coming
here tonight. Miss Cliffgate. fear you
will think me presumptuous
TRY me and seer' she smiled. Il
have no such fears
1T is relief to hear you say that. I
have engaged myself to marry your
sister Daisy"
Rupertine started to her feet. every
drop Of the scarlet blood In her veins
seeming to tingle.
"Mr Ardham. since when?''
'Since before you returned from
New York. Miss Rupertine, and | have
only just succeeded in inducing her to
allow me to tell YOU"
Daisy! The rogue: the darling little
hypocrite." cried Rupertine. hardly
k wing whether 60 he angry or
pleased. But Daisy's arms round her
necl; checked the burst of words
You are not angry, dearT'
Angry" she whispered mo: but all
this time | have been trying to win
him for myself, and you know II,
D. ""
les. I know IL. Rupertine. But a
heart that could have been won away
from me thus would scarcely have
been worth acceptance. SO | let you
try"
"NIr Ardham," cried Rupertine. In
her natural voice once more, 'you have
chosen well. Daisy Is the very one to
be minister's wife,
II think so. too said Mr.. Ardham.
in tone of quiet self-gratulation.
And so Miss Rupertlne Cliffgate's
summer Irritation was all loves labor
list