Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1901-01-18

meaningless black marks. But, then
never before had bewitching young
face come between him and his books,
a face with reddish-gold ringlets clus-
tering around white forehead, and
shy eyes the color Of woodland vio-
let's
He leaped from his seat as bright
thought struck him. He would hunt
up the cabman. That was the thing
to dol But, although he hung around
the Union depot for two whole hours,
and questioned every jehu within
reach, be could not find the man he
sought. It was evidently that particu-
Ter cabmans busy day.
Tired and disgusted, Ross Stafford
took plunge at the athletic club. got
himself home. shrugged himself into
his evening clothes. for he was going
out after dinner, and went down to
the parlor to find hiself face to face
with the divinity Of the red-gold ring
lets and the violet eyes.
Ross, my dear. cooed Mrs. Stat
ford, '1et me introduce you to Miss
Chester. whom somehow you managed
Sto miss this morning. Why, you
For they were smiling at each other
-merriIy, spontaneously.
Indeed, no, motherly Perhaps he
held the pretty hand she gave him
little longer than was necessary II
met Miss Chester this morning, Did
she not tell you put her in cab?''
Miss Chester laughed. Ross Stafford
laughed. And the bewilderment of tho
house Of Stafford. Of the golfng son,
and the studious son. as they were in
turn presented, set them laughing
again.
Lord bless mel" cried Stafford SEN
ior. rufiing his hair; your father said
you were a little grill"
10h, ! shall never be grown up to
papay' crieo Miss Chester
"Tie said" stammered the young
man who was getting up an article on
the architecture Of the tenth century.
'.that--that you were nice child"
Don't you think queried Adele
Chester. mischieyously, 'that I'm
niceg"
Whereat Ralph grew guiltily red.
"A gray gown gasped Dick. "And
--and a hat with gray feathers!"
eMy travelling costume. Don't YOU"
with sparkling eyes, find this becom-
inggg
This" was trailing. foamy, be-
rufied robe, all delicately green and
white as the crest of breaker, dress
that revealed while concealing the
snowiness of arms and bosom Becom-
ing Ross told her then and there how
becoming. Not in words--dear MOI
But words are so stupid--sometimes
Helen Stafford reached home before
dinner was over Her brothers rap
turous reception amazed herr Never
had she known how they missed herl
Nor could she dream that each Of the
three young hypocrites was saying to
himself, She won't go east in such a
hurry If she and Helen take to each
other
They did take to each other Ross
found It was not necessary to keep his
engagement that evening, and permit
ted his friend to cool his heels alone
at their appointed rendezvous. Ralph |
learned his tenor went wonderfully
well with the pure soprano of their
guest. And Dick was SO anxious to
initiate Miss Chester into the mys-
teries of flashlight pictures that he
made himself no end of bore. The
country cousin Of the Staffords did |
not to go east that week--nor the next.
When she did go all the mirth and
laughter of the Stafford domicile
seemed to go with her. One morning |
week after her departure Ralph and |
Dick said some bitter things when they
discovered that Ross had found out he |
must attend to business in New York,
and had left for that city on the mid
night train. And when Ross returned, |
silent, but smiling and exultant. they
were not at all backward about telling
him with true fraternal frankness their |
opinion Of his conduct.
You were awfully good to go to
meet that little country lassiei' COM
mented Ralph witheringly Il believe
you knew all the time she was the
prettiest kind Of young girlls
Kindness sheer kindness on my |
part. dear boy, But as have striven |
to Impress on you, virtue is ever its
own reward.
"oh, come OFF, entreated Dick
you Just got the inside track. and
you kept it."
Il assure you in taking my late
hasty trip 4 had only the best inter
ests Of my brothers at heart. My sole |
ambition was to secure you the most
charming sister-in-law in the world!p
Helen jumped up.
"0h. Rossl Did you--did She"
He laughed quizzically.
adele gave me message for you,
my dear. She said to tell you that you
are to be -"
What Ross y
Bridesmaid,''- Chicago Tribune.