Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1906-07-06

At last. after a good many abortive
starts, and forced halts, and unexpect-
ed avalanehes Of sand. the descent is
accomplished.
Miss Hardcastle quits Felix Brough.
tons arm.
The lovers. divided during the lapse
of three cruel years, stand face to face.
They shake hands. Cousin Felix look.
ing on with the pleasantest-I had al
most said the most fraternal-expres
sion in the world. They don't find one
syllable to say.
Is this the beginning of the end7
"Clementina forgets to introduce me-"
remarks Mr. Broughton. coming for
ward with his little air of genial suay.
ity, a hand outstretched. "0r perhaps
she thinks il is a case in which intro
duction is superhuous How are you,
Severne7 Welcome back from India.
Warm. is II not9"
every warm" repeats Sir John, la
cOnicaiiy, and submitting to. rather
than accepting, the proffered hand
shake. "You arrived in Jersey this
morning, conclude, Clcm-Miss Hard.
castleT'
He had thought of her as Clementina
during their three years Of betrothal;
as Clementina has written her love
letters, hopeful. despairing. ardent,
gradually cooling, by the score. Yet
now that hore is so near fruition, now
that they are to be married in August
and stand under this June sun looking
into each others eyes, the familiar
Christian name refuses to leave his
lips. tAnd during the last day Or two
he has scarce been able TO restrain
himself from calling Mrs. Chester
"Daphne.'D
YES" answers Cousin Felix. upon
whom all the onerous burden Of talk
ing seems to fall, but with grace. eve
ran over from the other island.
Jersey-no. Guernsey-help me, Glen
entina. you know I can never remem-
Der which is which. At all events. we
ran over from the other place this
morning. birmingham found out from
some culpably interested pilot, no
doubt. that the tides would suit for
longer. and hurried US of in the very
middle Of our breakfast. Capital fell
low. birmingham; you know him, Sew
erne?"
II remember hearing Lady Lydia
birmingham had husband"
Precisely, the very man. and an Ell
cellent fellow, too, in his quiet. unob-
trusive way, but crazed on the score
Of fish. Ahr' a sudden animation
Frightening his bored voice as the face
Of pretty woman, the face of Daphne.
comes within range of his eyeglsss,
what have we here-sketchingg
Sir John Severne's color-box, over
turned, his pencils and sketch book,
lie on the wet sand. Daphne, with
senses ostensibly fixed on the distant
sea. sits, half in light. half in shade,
Beneata.the rock; her yellow hair glis-
tening in the sun. fIvr-ssiiElish figure
looking more girlish than its won't N
the plain cotton gown that forms so
strong contrast to the silk attire, the
drawn back skirts. the fan-shaped train
of Miss Hardcastle Little Paul, rosy
still from sleep. stands barefOoted,
finger on lip.intently watching the new.
comers at his side.
"We were just-that is, was sketch.
ing in the foreground" says Severne,
betrayed in his turn into the weakness
Of an excuse. zone sees such wonder.
full effects among these Jersey rocks"
Charming effects, in truth" re-
turns Cousin Felix, with an expressive
glance in the direction of Daphne Ches-
ter.
And then there was a full stop.
Daphne. country taught Daphne, is the
first to break the silence.
She rises. hesitates for an instant,
then comes forward, a smile of genuine
welcome round her lips, to Clementina.
Every one around Fief-de-la-Reine
will be glad to see you, Miss Hard
castle. Sir John Severne has told you--
no!-what makes us look upon him as
an old and valued friend? All. then,
you must bear our version of the story.
Paul come here. This is my little son,
who but"
For a certain high spring tide would
never have taught me the mystery Of
cabot fishing" interrupts Severne,
quickly. DO your best, Mrs. Chester
know the excellence of your inten-
tlons, but 'tig work thrown away. You
will not succeed in getting Miss Hard
castle to lock upon me in the light of
hero"
20 be Continued.