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


served simultaneously by George,
Il I hadn't nearly forgottenl9 quoth
Stafford pere. He rummaged In an
inner pocket. Cant find the letter.
Must have left It at the office. Any
aow. it's from my cousin. Godfrey
Chester"
Now. Henryi" interrupted the mild
voice Of Mrs. Stafford in amused ex-
oostulation why will you keep up
hat fiction about the cousinshiDs It
is mythical, and you know IT."
''It's certainly remote . conceded the
oeaming paterfamilias at the opposite
end OF the table. "but there once was
relationship long time ago. adj
NIT. But Chester and I have taken
the world as we found It. He's good
fellow and I've always been urging
him to manage that our young people
may become acquainted. He writes
that his daughter will pass through
Chicago tomorrow on the way to New
York, and will spend few days with
US. He says he wishes one Of my
family would meet her. Bless my
soul, here's the letter after ALL" He
put on his spectacles and read
aloud:-
You can't mistake her. She's q
curly-headed little girl, in gray gown
and hat with gray feathers. She's
nice child. and I'll be glad to have
her meet your youngsters There!y
"a child!' groaned Ralph. who was
% and studious.
He swallowed his cafe noir at
gulp and rose disgustedly.
Youngsters, indeedi" cried Dick
disdainfully. Does he take US for
kindergartners? ?"
Ross. who was the eldest. smiled in
quite a superior and disinterested
fashion. He boasted fiourishing
mustache. He was studying law.
Plainly, the subject had no interest
for him.
"Eh. but one of you must meet the
chiIdl" cried the head of the house.
"YouIl go. Ralph?g
Cant. sir. I'm doing an article on
the architecture of the tenth century.
1t takes lot Of research. I'll be all
morning in the Newberry library
Henry Stafford. huge Of girth. rose
ate of visage and twinkling of eye,
turned his harvest moon face implor-
ingiy toward his youngest son.
you, Dick2y
Got golf match on. Can't make
It. sir"
Dear. dear. If your sister were
only at home
She'll be back tomorrow after
noon" put in Mrs Stafford.
But the little girl gets here IN the
morning. She must be met. She is
from Comparatively small town.
She would be quite bewildered were
she to find herself alone in Chicago.
Besides. I'm under several obliga-
tions to Chester in a business way"
He sent the good looking young fellow
with the mustache an appealing
glance.
81 wonder now. Ross. If you--''
Ross laughed leniently.
"You poor, perplexed old chap!
Yes, I'll see that the child gets here
all right
"Goodls said Henry stafford. with a
sigh of relief "Good!''
But when the Western train disgorg-
ed its jostIing multitude in the Union
depot the following morning Ross
stafford. standing close by the iron
gates. found that he had undertaken
a task Of greater magnitude than he
had at the time imagined. There was
such crush of people. stout and thin,
tall and short, big and little. There
were children professions OF them.
But they all seemed to belong to the
folks who hurried them along. Never
a glimpse could he catch Of a curly
headed little girl in a gray gown.
wearing hat with gray feathers. Or
was the dress brown? By Joye, He
wasn't even sure Of that.
The last laggard group trickled
away. Ross knew the conductor Of
the Denver trains spoke to him as he
came hurrying along.
All of your train. Brighanll n
eSure.
There was a little girl coming to
chicago-had curly haIr-a blue dress
"a green hat--bIcst If remember.
Wasn't she on?'
Alone, was she?''
Yes
No sir. Didn't come sureg
Course am.
Ross wheeled around.
Well. I'll telephone the folks that
she wasn't on. Dad can wire her peo-
pie and find out--I beg your pardonlr
And he suddenly found himself bow
ing profoundly. hat in hand, before
young woman with whom he had ali
most collided in his haste. slender
young woman, a graceful young wom-
an, a lovely young woman, as his sus-
ceptible heart instantly acknowledged,
She accepted his apology with a
slight bend of the head--a vivid blush.
Half way up the stairs he glanced back
saw her standing where he had left
her. He hesitated went back.
you are waiting for some oneg Can
be OF seryIce?"
Thank YOU" Ye gods. what sweet
voice. q am afraid there has been
mistake No one has come to meet
me. May ask you to call cabg"