Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1901-08-09
NO. 2S.


ray SO much. when SO many things
were yet TO be bought, but-ought she
to let such bargain slip7 Her head
whirled with arguments for and
against the purchase. The idea ol
ordering a hat copied in less expensive
materials and dispensing with the
French trademark. a luxury most un-
/ important 10 schoolgirl. lid not oc-
cur to her still, II the saleswoman
had left her alone fer a moment, It is
possible that the girls Judgment would
I have rallied even then. but sales
women rarely do leave their victims
alone at critical moments. and il hap
pened to Amy as to many wiser buyers
that, with figure waiting at her side.
| and a pair Of cody observant eyes
upon her. her power OF impartial de
cision was gone
II was in quite an unfamiliar voice
| that she heard herself saying, seem.
ingly without her own consent, Il will
take the hat
She hurried along the payements, ar
ter paying the fifteen dollars lit left
but twenty cents in her purse-feeling
as guilty as II she had stolen the
money. Il wonder when mother has
had a new bonnet" she thought "Oh.
what is the matter with me? seem
perfectly parslyzed when one Of that
sort of clerks gets holu OF me What
am going to do without gloves or
handkerehiefs. and never san make
my old school waists respectable for
going away
e"Well, you're a good one cried
gay voice in her ear Where 10 you
think YOU are? You're five blocks
from Stannard's. gave you up ten
MINUTES ago. Did you miss Saunders
street, or didn't you mean to meet ME
after all?"
Stuart was rushing her along at
great pace. giving her no chance to
explain that she was tlreo and did not
care for the football game after all
He had her on board Of an electric
car in twinkling anj was smiling at
her from the platform. where he made
one of mass Of young fellows in col
lege and preparatory-school colors,
who kept the car lively with their fun
Amy never clearly knew how she
spent the next two hours At any
other times she would have considered
the cnance Of seeing one of Stuarts
much-talked-of games the greatest
pleasure that could come her way. To-
day she sat listl0ssly upon the hard
seat. with the people under whose
wing Stuart had placed her. AMI
hougnt Of her days experiences
straight through one Of the most ex-
citing games of the season.
Wasn't It glorious ?" exulteu Stuart,
as he met her after the game boxing
all colors AMI damp with perspiraticn,
hut radiant with JOY over the victory
Of his own team. Think of it-six to
nothing over those hraggarts! tell
you. our men were 1T 70 the hour. ev
cry fellow of them. It wasn't quite
such a walkover as we expected
though Their forwards did spleniii
work. it was their back-felders lost
them the game Wasn't that a beau
titul punt Of Thorpe's down the side
lines? Maybe you didn't notice that
forty-yarj run | msde?' ne ajieI.
modestly.
"oh yes. it was splendid" Amy
agreed, tryiTg TO remember the play
in question. Something in her voice
made Stuart look curiously at her. but
only the side of a pale cheek was
turned toward him. Something's up
he thought 81 won't bother her with
football jargon-she's tired. Funny.
though" he considered. as he put her
abroad the car for the return trip,
she's such a girl for her wheel and any
sport, | shouldn't think a mornings
shopping could do her up
BY the time the car reached their
train Stuart had talked of his enthus-
iasm over the game with the crowd on
the car, and was ready TO give his
cousin his serious attention As the
train drew out of the dark station into
the western sunlight he observed that
Amy's eyes were full of tears He
bought an afternoon paper Of the train
boy, and unfolding it held widespread.
affecting TO read as he carefully
screened his companion from observa-
ton After a time he asked gently;
is it-er-anytling could help about.
Amy"
The answer was genuine little sob.
which Stuart fervently hoped nobody
heard. Presently a tremulous voice
murmured, 20 Stuart. you won't under
stand but | must tell I've been SO
foolish ami so extravagant -
Fire away" whispered Stuart, en-
couraglngly. but it was some time be
fore she coull speak. The train was
approaching S,uart's suburban station
before he had the whole story. Then
he had to talk fast
See here. puss," ne SAID. Il don't
think you've been extravagant-Jov
when ! think what l spend. But
know how you feel, ard / sec you'd
rather be shot than wear that hat and
that foFget-me not thing. Now III tell
you. You know Lydia and Nell think
the world of clothes-more than they
buShl w. anu iubTt AudH hhEif Autg u
fancy these Of yours If they don't
Ill send EN- back 10 you-I will
swear it, Now let me have 'em. will
you? expect the fellows II howl TO
sse me carrying that banibox." he
thought. but no matter--I'll make ths
girls keep mum. except 10 mother he
declared. "and nobody but Aunt Esther
need ever know. Here we are. Is 1t
a go?"
20 Stuart" whispered Amy. CRATE
fully. you are so good But please.
please don't let the girls take them
unless they truly want them, Oh. |
hope he won't hurt that hat" she
b-esthed. moment later, smiling
through her tears. as Stuart waved the
frail bsndbox at her. from the back
seat of a rapidly receding trap. driven
by two pretty girls.
by tomorrow I shall hear she
told her mother. when the conference
was. over, the bundles opened. Rnd the
sensible purchases approved. But she
had not even 70 sleep upon her trou-
bles for before beitfme a telegram