The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-07-03

be travelling through their part of the
country, and finding that he should be
obliged to pass the night at Eastern
Junction, only ten miles distant from
Hardwick, he had hired a horse and
carriage and driven over to call upon
his friends.
They were delighted to see him, and
Hospitality urged him to spend the
night. He declined the invitation, how
ever, as he wished to take the first
train in the morning from the juno
ton, and so must drive back that even
ing.
They assured him that he could not
escape dining with them, as they had
postponed their dinner until eight
o'clock on account of the children's
party. He expressed his pleasure at
being able to do so, and they were in
full tide of earnest conversation when
Mile came into the room.
He was in the midst of a sentence
when his eye fell upon her, and he sud-
denly stopped, evidently much i'm
pressed in some way by her appear
ance. He watched her intently while
she played, and at the close, when
others were applauding her for hav-
ing done so remarkably well, he went
over to the piano and began to talk to
her.
Mrs. Hancock, seeing his interest in
the child, proposed to Mile that she
should take him to the Refreshments
tent for an ice. The arrangement was
most agreeable to both of her guests,
who were soon on such friendly terms
that the gentleman went so far as to
admire his companions dress.
IF you can buy such pretty things in
Hardwick," said he, 81 shall advise my
lady friends to come here to do their
spring shopping"
II guess you were never in our Hard
wick stores" answered Mile, laugh
ing merrily at the idea. mo, indeed,
this dress came from Paris!" and not
without pride, she glanced at her COM
panion to observe the effect she was
producing by her surprising state
ment.
He looked as startled as she could
have wished
us that where you do your shop
ping?' he inquired, smiling, though his
voice had a curious sharp ring.
''Oh, no, of course not, I never was
there. My music teacher gave me this"
And her name?" he asked, breath
lessly.
Miss Lester" said Mile.
He drew sharp breath. Miss Mar
garet Lester?" he demanded.
Eyes, that is her name" replied Mil
lie, surprised in her turn at his excite
ment.
"And she is not married?" continued
Mr.. Darrah.
''No, indeed. She is all alone. Her
mother died last year, and she is very
sad and lonely"
where does she live?" he asked, abb
ruptly. Not in this town."
Eyes, just below here" Mile replied,
you can see the house from here; that
yellow one with the cupola," pointing
it out.
THANK you very much" said her
strange companion, and in a moment
he was outside the grounds, hurrying
down the street.
Dinner was over, and the evening
passed, and still nothing was seen of
Mr.. Darrah. The clock had struck IL;
the coachman had come in to inquire
if he should put the gentleman's horse
up for the night, and the family were
debating as to the ACCESSIBILITY of re-
firing, when the culprit appeared,
breathless and heated as though from
hurrying.
When he could speak he began his
apologies. He was assured that he
could be pardoned on only one condi-
ton; that he make full and free eX-
PLANTATION of his erratic behavior.
He agreed that his rudeness demand
ed it, and, not without confusion, re-
lated his story.
Three years before, while living in
Paris, where his business interests de-
manded his presence, he had met Miss
lester and become engaged to her.
Then a wretched misunderstanding
arose, and they quarreled and parted.
To change the proverb slightly, "They
quarreled in haste, to repent at leis-
1re." Soon after the Testers left
Paris and returned to America. He
heard accidently of Mr.. Testers death,
and then rumor reached him of the
young lady's. approaching marriage,
but he soon lost all trace of her. On his
return to America the previous winter,
he tried in vain for news of her They
had no mutual friends of whom he
could inquire, and he could learn abso-
lutely nothing of her.
The dress which Mile wore was one
he well remembered, and aroused his
interest and curiosity at once. The
rest they knew.
Here peals of laughter met him, and
the judge said, gravely: you have re-
lated events up to seven o'clock this
evening. 1t is with the last four hours
we have now to deal. You have only to
begin the story instead of ending it."
"Yes; go on, go on" they all cried.
The poor fellow looked confused, in
deed, for moment, polished maA of