The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-10-24
TCoNcLUSIoN.1 l

Mary Edgewood did not tell her
mother of her intended interview with
Captain Adams lest she might forbid
it, but she took her negro nanny,
| Aunt Martha, into her confidence and
| Informed the old woman that she must
accompany her. The faithful creature
was vastly impressed by the impor-
tance of the proposed visit, and i'm
mensely fiattered by the position Of
trust that she was invited to FILL 1t
afforded Mary much comfort to find
that Aunt Martha saw no impropriety
in the proceeding. CARRIED in large
figured calico gown and a voluminous
white apron and her head encircled by
an enormous turban, Aunt Martha,
with her 250 pounds of flesh, deemed
herself chaperon for princess.
Honey" said the old creature, 'ef
yo' ma amt to know nothin' bout dis
business wild de cap'n yo' can't go till
10 o'clock. By dat time ole miss II be
snoozin' away in her bed, an we can
crope away unbeknownst."
every well, Aunt Martha"
can, honey, faint nothin' wrong
| what we gwine do, but to keep meddle-
some folks from taikin' yo' better wear
a thick veil.'
By 10 o'clock the stiffness of night
had settled down upon the little coun-
try town, and the young girl crept out
of the gate with her faithful attend
ant and glided along through the dark
est and least frequented streets toward
Captain Adams quarters. If her heart
| continued to throb as tumultuously
when she arrived in his presence, she
feared that she might not be able to
tell her errand.
When they reached the barrack, they
were stopped by sentinel.
'Halt!" said the soldier. "Who comes
there?"
Mary Edgewood's heart almost STOP
ped beating, and she could not utter a
sound. That she would be halted by
sentinel had never occurred to her.
"Who comes there, say?" repeated
the soldier
Somebody to see de cap'n," said old
Martha, stepping forward in front of
Mary.
"Who is it?' said the sentinel, still
barring the way.
''Mr. Soldier, we don't want no fool
ishness," said the old negress, swell
ing up as only a negro can. Its a
lady OBJ de quality what's got pressin'
business wild de cap'n."
"Who is this lady of quality?' per-
sisted the sentinel
Look a-hyer, Mr.. Soldier man, it's
de lady OBJ quality what nussed de
cap'n when he was sick an brung
him back to life, an if yo' don't let
her pass yo' gwine git yo'se'f in trou-
ble yo' sholy is"
The sentinel laughed and gave way,
and as the young girl and her attend
| ant passed him he politely directed
them where he said they would find
the captain.
Adams did not occupy his Office in
the evening, but the room across the
hall, to which Brown had withdrawn
that morning during the officers ex-
animation of Black Jake. This apart
ment, though far from luxurious in it's
appointments, was fitted up with some
regard to comfort. 1t contained pair
of easy chairs, lounge and a number
OF rugs. The walls were adorned with
q few good pictures and decorated
with several articles of bric-a-brac,
mostly of military character. At the
moment of Mary Edgewood's visit the
owner of the apartment was sitting in
one of the easy chairs smoking his
pipe and never dreaming of the great
honor about to be paid him.
Come in," he called out in response
to Aunt Martha's knock.
1t was his orderly, he thought, and
did not turn his head.
"Well, what do you want?"
Captain Adams began Mary
Edgewood.
The officer sprang to his feet as If
he were electrified
Miss Edgewood" he exclaimed. and
stepping quickly forward, he placed
chair, into which the young girl sank
trembling from head to foot.
THANK yo', sah," said old Martha to
the captain, with a courtesy; then,
turning quickly to her young mistress:
"Thar-thar, honey, set right still an
repose yo'se'f. Oar amt a bit OBJ hur-
ry, not bit in de world"
LET me bring a glass of water"
said Adams, hastily fetching a goblet
of ice water from an adjoining room,
for which Mary thanked him silently
with glance of her blue eyes.
Meantime Aunt Martha began to fan
her young mistress with an immense
turkey tail fan.
"Cap'n," said the old negress across
the turkey tail, "viewin' de fact dat
yo' is a gen'Fman who's been a gues'
OBJ de Edgewood family, my little mis-
sic hopes dat de pressin' nature OBJ her
business will 'scuse de onexpectedness
OBJ her visit dis evenin'"
Certainly. Aunt Martha" said the
captain, who still remained standing.
"A visit from Miss Edgewood does me
honor at any time, and, whatever may
be the nature of her business, / am SO
grateful to the young lady and her
mother that any opportunity to serve
them will afford me pleasure impos-
sible to express" The young officer
addressed Aunt Martha, but his eyes
were fixed upon Mary EdgeYood.