Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-12-07

Initiating me. Two weeks ago, when
began to wear that turnover collar
she came out in an imitation OF It
only day or two later. Last week
she wore lace trimmed handker-
chief tucked IN the front of her gown
inst as l wear mine, and I noticed
when she went oul last Thursday
that she had retrimmed her hat until
it looked like a poor relation to my
green one. I discovered lust now
that she has manufactured a little
curl at the back of her neck just like
this lock OF mine that won't stay
where il belongs-but hers is entire
ly artificial. Bess. what will you give
me If III do it2"
Do what?"
Get Jobyna into caps for the week
that Harry's Aunt Portia is here. e
Nonsense. you foolish girl, You
can't do it! But il you could, I'd
give you anything 7 own - except
Harry. OF course its silly, but I
wake up in the night to worry over
the cap question. You see, il 1t was
anybody but Harrys aunt wouldn't
care. but it seems so disgraceful to
have ones aunt-at-law discover the
weak spots in ones housekeeping
But, Frances, whatever you do, YOU
mustn't offend Jobyna. Why, even
without a cap she S worth six of the
other maids I've had
Il promise you that Jobyna won't
even know she's wearing a cap" as
sured Frances. Gaily.
At dinner that night Frances ap-
! Beared at the table with q scarlet but
above her left ear, Twenty-fou
hours later Jobyna, with the mate o
the butterfly above her left ear, wai
Z placing the soup on the Maynards
table, and Frances was ecstaticaIly
squeezing her sisters hand under the
tablecloth.
Il hope" said Harry, solemnly,
one day, that you realize your re-
sponsibllity, Frances, Jobyna ad-
mires you so immensely that she is
making herself internally and exter-
nally as much like you as possible.
Did you notice her coral beads last
night? They're a very fair imitation
of the ones brought you from Ca
pri., Her voice over the telephone is
so IKE yours that 1 doubt II l could
tell which was which if it were not
for. tie remarkable construction of
her sentences. She appears to be an
adaptable person"
So you've noticed it, too"
The resemblance? Why. yes,
Except that you are little more deli
cately built and aslittle more gypsy
like. there certainly is a resemblance.
If it's true that imitation is the sin
cerest flattery. you have reason to
feel eomplimented
OF the little household Jobyna her
self was the only one who failed to
realize how closely She was following
the numerous examples set by
Frances
Three days before the time set for
the arrival OF the dreaded relative.
Frances purchased a yard Of sheer
white muslin, and cut it into strips,
which she hemmed neatly and tied
into large bows
THE following morning. in a plain
dark gown. long white apron not
unlike Jobynas own, and with one
OF the large white muslin bows
pinned primly across the top of her
pretty head, Frances volunteered to
help her sister rearrange the books
In Harry's den" Jobyna. who was
busting the next room, looked at her
with rapt admiration.
Perhaps nothing that the girl had
previously worn had been more be-
coming to her than the severe white
apron and the big white bow. At
dinner time the apron was not in evil
dence, bat the bow still crowned the
daintily poised head.
Harry noticed 1t and would have
spoken, but Frances. with warning
glance at Jobyna, who was filing the
glasses, placed prohibitive finger
against her lips.
The next day the plotting pair,
with their noses pressed against the
window, watched eagerly for Joby-
mas return from her usual Thursday
outing.
Yes, here she eomes.p cried
Frances ,gleefully. as she lodged be-
hind the curtain. And as sure as
you live she's carrying a'littie parcel
that came from Pond's-it's wrapped
in that horrible pink paper that they
always use, Ii it isn't white muslin
10 Bess! IT it shouldn't be white
muslin. Think Of the agony of lead
ing her to the very moment of
triumph only to have her. come out in
pink mustn't Suppose she's been
carried away by the latest thing in
shades. and has spent her good
money for. green muslin! Think Of
my feelings your Harry s
Aunt Portals feelings-if she. ap-
pears in anything but white muslin
at breakfast time tomorrow! Sup
posa--s-s.' .
i shan't suppose another thing,"
cried Elizabeth, clapping her Hands
over her ears and laughing. AS it
is, shan't be able to sleep a wink
tonight. I intend to keep my eyes
closed at lreakfast time until you
poke me under the table as a sign
that It's safe to open them. II the
train's On time, Harry's Aunt Portia
Wili be hers at II tonight