The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-10-20
MiSChieVOuS Maude.
BY Lee Trask.
157S2S2525152SHi

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BY Lee Trask.
She was the very personification OF
mischief 1t was her life, her only
thought. Although nearly twenty
years of age, she was just as much
of hoyden as she had been at ten
very beautiful hoyden, though, and
SO graceful that what would have been
absolute rudeness in others seemed
only a new witchery in her. She was
continually getting into some annoying
predicament that would cause her to
make innumerable resolutions of re-
form, but as soon as temptation ap-
peared again, the good resolutions
were all forgotten. She had so many
lovers that they absolutely wearied
her, and she would sometimes go OF
and bury herself in the country. to be
rid Of their attentions. Although she
certainly would have resented 1t most
Indignantly if they had given her up,
still 1t was quite relief sometimes to
serve them in that way, and retire in
to obscurity, as she called It
One day, as she was passing along
the street very becomingly dressed
and looking unusually lovely, gentle
man whom she met looked at her so
intently that she said to herself, as
she imagined:
IT hope you'll know me. the next
time you see mel"
Che di1 mt nhcQruo tho cD1i1Q that
Immediately quivered about his lips,
which gave evidence that he was not
afflicted with deafness. A few weeks
afterward she met him again-recog-
mixing him at once, for his face was
not one to be forgotten any more
than her own. AS he passed, he said,
with the utmost gravity, although
wicked CLEAN shone from his eyes:
81 know you now, Miss Murray"
She blushed like a rose, and felt
SO strong an inclination to laugh that
she turned quickly into store. to
prevent his seeing her embarrass-
ment. Soon after this she went off to
one of her country retreats, little
dreaming that the handsome stranger
was keeping watch on her movements,
with all the shrewdest of a detective.
She went to board at large farm
house, and In her rambles about the
country she noticed a fine, foreign
looking mansion, that excited her Gu
riosity and inspired her with lively
desire to explore it. Speaking to the
farmers wife about it, the woman
said:
ooh, you can have your wish very
easily, Miss Murray; the key is at Mar.
Jones', and they will let you take 1t
at any time.
So the next morning she started off
bright and early, to procure the key
and crafty her wish.
"a stranger has taken it," they told
her, "and is now at the house; SO, if
you go at once, you can get in and
see all you want to-"
She went as directed, but when she
reached the house, seeing the key on
the outside of the door, the never
sleeping spirit of mischief prompted
her to turn it, and then, going into
like Micawber, to see what would
turn up" She waited and waited.
till, feeling the wearisome effects of
her long walk, she threw herself down
on the seat and fell asleep. affording
as pretty a picture as the enchanted
princess herself
When, after long time, she awoke.
there at the door of the arbor, gazing
admiringly upon her, stood the hand
some stranger. At first she thought
1t must be dream, and rubbed her
eyes with no gentle hand, but his
voice dissolved the spell
"You were my jailer, them" he said.
glancing at the key in her hand: why
ala you lock me in?"
But how did you get out" she in
.quired, demnrely.
81 nearly broke my neck jumping
out of the window"
"oh, dear! l wish l had seen you;
1t must have been so funny"
"Oh. very funny. no doubt. But
don't you think that you ought to ask
my pardon?"
'T will ask 1t six times, II you wish
it." she replied, with a saucy laugh
'.Once will be enough, If you will
give me permission to visit you"
But we have had no introduction,
and do not even know who you are,
sir" she said; then. seeing peculiar
expression come into his face she
added, hastily: Perhaps you think
such a formality unnecessary with
me-"
IT did not say So"
"No, but you looked It."