The St. Johns herald., 1900-07-07

-vas full of the plans for the morrow "My'
 ara, he sad to the mother, who was look
 rs 9 t5g th, un.oadcd rarce.s, were GOlr
 have Fourth without d para ie. in tn
 sck O th, woods ! he Unlon City ban has come after all, anu, as a on the con- mttee of entertainment. I'll skirmisl down to the depot and get one of 'em for the night It's right. .sn't it, Sara?'
 70, yes, yes" answered she, glad for an oppoiiuuty Q get ia a word. 'Did you get any iettg-s.
 No, L5l this time." he replied, as he turned O.! tci.'s head toward the country dtpoi and eft mother and daughter looking proul af.t one of the committee"
 ''No tt;els." or course not. Marie ex pect;d hr to say just what he did Though fu.y she began the preparation of extras tor tea.
 Well, she was glad of one thing, that it was stranger this tine, and for once sh, .you.d not have to entertain that Getestabt Harvey Nei.is Father and mother had tender chord in their hearts that young Ne. is thru nmtd on considerably, and the mu sic was meant for her. but there was no room for another; the inner sanctuary was occupied and no one else ever would be ad- miitsd. ,.
 ''Marie!" called her mother from the hal way, where she stood taking with neigh Dor, Mrs Bates has another of her bad ,pe..s with her heart and wants you to comt over Tor awhile. l guess you would better 70; can manage"
 Yes. mother" answered Marie, putting Town the eggs she was beating for a custard and taking oil the ig gingham apron. '1 will come in a minute"
 A.! the way to the Bates homestead Marle haEked d k'nd Providence for the break in he long, trying afternoon. even though Auntie Bates had 10 suffer for it.
 The new neon stood like sword on the crest of the dark woods as the gir. opened the hall dco' a: home. and locked back at it ovti her rl n; .houder for tuck
 ''l am 9 ths 6ay is done, at any rate, D she sad, tu:; ng the key in it's place. The o.d-fa~h'o' ock struck ten as Marie ra .-t "tr .A sttinp-Toom.
 Pus-. Au-ilnS stretched her two white feet across the one faint ray of the setting moon on the window seat, and meowed a sot 'hythmis welcome 10 her mistress.
 I've d notion to be cross,' cogitated Marie. ' If there's no one to be cross 10; they've al gone to led. haven't they?" smoothing Mucc'ns furry coat. Going over to the mantei she groped ong its length for the matches. Finally she struck light.
 There iu q corner stood a cornet, bright silver instrument, W tn land ook beside II and sem Ter pa: apherna "a of the pro lesson Cur us,y she went ever to the .h.r.re ol -rt. amp in hand. and Mugeins io.nod th- ..sp ting party with ia portant air Cn ,G, ack of the band look she read: ''.I. Il. Merrill, list cornet, Union City band"
 Well, what of it? It was nothing to her whether ! li Merrill was first or second cornei. or wh ther ha p ayed w,h the Union City band or not. She dOuit,esS would hear him discourse tomorrow; that would be sui 6elent
 Muegins purred an assent, and went hack to her favorite window-seat. and Marie yawned and went s,ow,y upstairs to bed.
 Mare, said her mother the next morn ing. as they were busy preparing the early breakfast. your father has fairy fallen in love with that young cornet payer; he was Q 50 dier m ul a, you know; and l think myself hejs.the incest looking fellow l ever saw"
 Marie Froaned in astonishment; then a spirit of mischief flashed from her eyes.
 ''lt may be that Cupd has indeed folded his wings ever the Sweet,andS and it may be he. the sorretist, vii fali in eve with me. move Nou. mother, that you invite hm to spend the remainder of the sum 0'er with us and thus cheokmate our bonnie Harvey Nel- lis"
 This outburst was not like Marie What had come over her? Mrs. Sweet 'ands paused over the mullins ring she was filling 10 th.nk.
 Why. my daughter" she said, in dep recat;ns way. ''if you cannot care for Har vey. ihsfs'> m end of it. no matter if father and ! Co Exc him
 The r,vu son of feeling in Marie's bosom was won1sful. ''If she cou not care" We.l. she never could The cirounscribed horizon w.dened and lost itself in the valley of r-St,
 ''No:her." she sobbed, "'l am awfu!ly thar. n. io get rid of Harvey Nellis with cut disappointing you" Then she slipped away to the front par.or to have little happy cry and rest her nerves.