The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-04-22
By Force Of Precedent.
BY THEoDos1A GARRISON.

more IMAM an nOuT, COHScl-uIiouSiy
avoiding the big words. and drinking
In the story like thirsty bee, in
the heart of a honey suckle.
She read the last lines aloud, her
high pitched voice sounding strangely
through the deserted studio:
Love immortal and young, in the end
less procession of lovers.
So through the Plymouth woods
passed onward the bridal process
sion.
s"The Courtship of Miles Standish"
slid from her hand, and her brown
mead sank back in it's nest OF yellow
cushions The window was open and
the May breeze rioted gently with the
curtains.
81 like to visit Cousin Mollv, even
when she isn't here" she thought,
81 wish I didn't have to go home
ever. l hope when go back shall
have the measles again and Cousin
Molly will bring me here for another
:hange. / wonder how can get it,"
She ran her slim fingers through
sher tousled hair and sighed. A maid
stepped over the threshold with a
bowl Of Japanese lilies in her hand
heir delicate odor preceding her like
q whisper. She nodded Kindly to the
.hild as she placed them on the table.
Don't get lonesome. Miss Angus
sta," she said. Miss Molly'll be in
presently Amt these pretty? Mr..
Harding sent 'em up. His window
sill is full of em. he says"
"Yes," said the child gravely.
They smell nice never saw any
before l came here"
She raised herself from her cush
IONS and unooiled her thin legs.
Bessie" she said, did you ever
nave people tell you what you must
10 or mustn't do?"
"Lor', yes, miss" said Bessie light
". "They all does. Nowadays girl
pas to wait until she gets a husband
20 do. as she pleases."
The child regarded her intently.
That doesn't do me much good" she
said 1--WE got to go home Thurs
day, and I don't want to-and I don't
know any one to marry-except--"
she added after moments refiec-
:iion-"except Mr.. Harding"
Bessie giggled delightedly. ITO
se sure, MISS" she laughed. "Mr.
Harding, of course"
After the maid had gone Augusta
pondered gravely over her new pro-
aect, and in ten minutes time real
zed that 1t was good. She would
marry Mr.. Harding and prolong her
stay indefinitely in this delicious
place There must be way for a
person to ask another to get married.
I wonder If can find it in any of the
looks. There is the one where Cous-
In Molly found how to make rare
tit!" She ruffied the pages tenderly.
The Courtship of Miles Standish"
has given her the first peep into the
world OF poesy. and she was grateful.
Suddenly her face flushed. She turned
70 . certain page. why. of course"
she said. 81 might have remembered.
How easy!"
She tucked the book under her arm
and walked to the studio door.
Bessie" she called into an inner
room, SIN going to Mr.. Harding's."
She went swiftly down the wide
outer hall, past the doors of many
studios and offices. until she reached
She last of all She turned the knob
without knocking and stepped into
che large room, with the blue and gold
volume pressed against her thin arm.
"How do you do. Mr.. Harding| she
inquired sedately.
John Harding sat at his desk near
the window, where his lily blooms
made the one bright spot in the SON.
Der place.
Have you come to see me, chicka-
biddy?" he asked. Now. that's good
of you. Sit down."
He rose and pushed huge leather
chair toward his caller. He limped
slightly as he walked. and Augusta
commented upon the fact socially.
cousin Molly says that that"-she
designated his lameness with glance
--'is like a medal badge of honor.
You got 1t in the war, didn't you? At
Santiago, she says"
Harding's face Redeemed. did Miss
Molly say that?" he asked softly. He
frowned at some inward reflection
and sighed. "Yes-I got it in the war
A nice little souvenir d'sspagne, eh?'
he added quizzically.
He drew his chair close to Augusta
and took her fleshless little hand in
his. ''Well," he inquired. land how
goes our private and particular world
Must we bow to circumstances and
go home to lessons next week."
Augusta. brought full tilt against
her purpose, paused for a moments
preparation. NO" she assured him
soberly. 81 don't think SOL don't
think I'll have to; but l haven't come
to talk about that. | have come or
an errand-a verv particular Grand
"Yes?' said Harding, with a smile
~And what is II. chickabddy?"
Augusta folded her hands over hel