Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1900-07-04


, extras TOR tea,
Well, she was glad Of one thing, that 1t
! was stranger this time, and for once she
would not have to entertain that detestable
| Harvey Nellis. Father and mother had a
tender chord In their hearts that young Nell
| lis thrummed 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-
| mitted.
"Marie!" called her mother from the hall
way, where she stood talking with neigh
Dor, Mrs. Bates has another Of her bad
spells with her heart and wants you to come
over for awhile. ] guess you would better
go; can manage"
"Yes, mother" answered Marie, putting
down the eggs she was beating for custard
and taking off the big gingham apron. 81
will come in minute"
All the way to the Bates homestead Marie
thanked kind Providence for the break In
the long, trying afternoon, even though
Auntie Bates had to suffer for it.
The new moon stood like sword on the
crest Of the dark woods as the girl opened
the hall door at home, and looked back at it
over her right shoulder for luck
81 am glad this day is done, at any rate"
she said, turning the key in its place The
old-fashioned clock struck ten as Marie
came into the sitting reom.
Pussy Muggins stretched her two white
feet across the one faint ray of the setting
moon on the window seat, and meowed a
soft rhythmic welcome to her mistress.
"Pve notion to be cross" cogitated
Marie; "but there's no one to be cross to;
they've all gone to bed, haven't theyW
smoothing Muggins' furry coat. Going over
to the mantel she groped along its length for
the matches. Finally she struck light.
There in a corner stood a cornet, a bright
silver instrument, with band book beside
it and some other paraphernalia of the pro-
fesson. Curiousy she went over to the
shining object, lamp in hand, and Muggins
Joined the inspecting party with important
air. On the back of the band book she
read: ~. H. Merrill, LIST cornet, Union City
band"
Well, what of it? 1t was nothing to her
whether j. II. Merrill was first or second
cornet, OF whether he played with the Union
City band or not. She doubtless would hear
him discourse tomorrow; that would be suf-
ficient.
Muggins purred an assent, and went back
! to her favorite window-seat, and Marie
yawned and went slowly upstairs to bed.
MARIE" said her mother the next morn
ing, as they were busy preparing the early
breakfast, ''your father has fairly fallen in
love with that young cornet player; he was
a soldier in Cuba, you know; and think
myself he is the incest looking fellow | ever
saw"
Marie groaned in astonishment; then
spirit Of mischief flashed from her eyes,
ha has Nnptl ba. IN IaI
his wings over the Sweetlands and it may be
he, the cornetist, will fall in love with me.
| move you, mother, that you invite him to
spend the remainder of the summer with us
and thus checkmate our bonnie Harvey Nell
lis"
This outburst was not like Marie. What
had come over her, Mrs. Sweetlands
paused over the mullins ring she was filling
to think
why, my daughter" she said, in dep
reoating way, "if you cannot care for Har-
vey, there's an end OF it, no matter If father
and do like him."
/ The reyulsion of feeling in Marie's bosom
was wonderful. IF she could not care"
Well, she never could. The eircumscribed
horizon widened and lost itself in the valley
of rest.
"Mother" she sobbed, 81 am awfully
thankful to get rid of Harvey Nelis with
out Disappointing youl" Then she slipped
away to the front paror to have a little
hapDy cry and rest her nerves.
1he vision of No. 20 wreathed itself in q
blessed halo over the restful valley. Was it
because ths anniversary OF the Declaration
Of Independence had brought to her a
double anniversary blessed in its unham-
pered decision!
1t might be; she felt as free as the mocking
bird singing out there in the peach tree,
free from the curse of attention thrust upon
her. She rested her head against the sash
and smiled out on the dewy lawn.
There, at the corner of the portico, float
ed the blessed old stars and stripes, aud by
its side iuttered Cuban hag Well, IL was
liberty all the way through She closed her
shining eyes to think; the flags aoated side
by side near Santiago last Fourth. The
noise OF battle was again in her ears, the
wounded were borne past, the surgeons went
by, and the suppressed groans of brave men
| came back; but through 1t all came plead
ing intonation; pray that may live for
mothers sakel"
Cornet player No. /, who had risen with
the dawn, was now returning from walk
In the orchard, and as he passed the case.
ment he looked up. For moment his face
was transfgured with great Joy. He for.
got that this was the Fourth Of July; he
forgot that he belonged 10 the Union City
cornet band; he forgot everything but that
he had found her,
| Tapping gently on the pane. he called
| softly: Nurse Maris!"
She started violently; the sweet reposs
/ fled In 4 t~ipkline and abe looked wildly
| ercund tie room. Had the dream bean d
xlvid that BIZ vary voies b>c&xojsk pszk