Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1908-01-24
sYLAND. FRIDAY. JANUARY "a. 1908.


"GettIng on spiendldly, my dear,
splendidly. Put his shoulder TO the
wheel at last. Ahl always said
there was good stuff in Roger. Texas
is making a man of him"
Clara used often to go and lunch
at the bishops residence and talk to
the old man. She was very fond Of
the bishop. but not even to herself
would she confess that she still cared
for the bishops nephew-the high
wayman. the thief. One day she
heard piece of news that colored
her face, and set her heart beating
wildly.
my nephew Roger has had to
come home My brother is not at all
well. and he wanted to see Roger
again before he died. The dear boy
arrived last week; he will be staying
here for a night or two soon. SO you
must dine with US. Clara, aud meet
him."
The bishop may have been getting
blind. but Clara's telltale pink blush
gave him a sudden clew to the girls
throbbing heart.
Hes been turning over a new
leaf, my DEAR he said. gently: ats
great comfort to me. Clara, a great
comfort; and God bless you for 1t,
my child. II It's your work"
Clara said nothing; what was there
to say? She privately determined
not to dine with the bishop; but, of
course, she went
She found a very different Roger
from the man she had parted from
nearly five years ago; and Roger
noticed that some OF the freshness of
youth had left Clara's face, to be re-
placed by softer. sweeter look. The
hard. brilliant girl had softened into
tolerant and merciful woman.
Roger flushed under his bronze as
he touched Clara's hand; she noticed
the shame in his eyes. and her heart
bled for him.
Il am very glad to meet you
again." she said slowly, looking
steadily at him; "very glad. indeed"
"I do not deserve this" was his
low answer.
Somehow, after dlnner-how It
happened neither Clara nor Roger
was ever quite aware-the two found
themselves alone in the small inner
parlor, the other guests having con-
gregated in the larger room, where
singing was going on.
Roger looked at the woman he
loved. the woman he should love to
the end of his days. and an intense
desire came to tell her the truth. to
let her know he had not robbed for
his own sake. and so redeem himself
ever so little in her eyes.
Il want to tell you something, Miss
Stenhope." he said. in low tones.
"Will you hear me? It's quite
short story?"
Clara inclined her head silently.
She looked at the man as he stood up
in front of her. and she knew that
whatever his faults were that she
loved him, loved him as only a strong
woman could. What was he going
to tell her? she could not trust her
self to speak.
In few words Roger Meredith ex-
planned why he had stolen the Jew
1 els. "The boy was saved by m,
theft" he finished. in a whisper
~and my brother runs straigh
enough now. He has had his les
SON..
A long pause followed. Clara
| ot L.
on her, but he said nothing.
"Why have you told me this
story?7 She tried to speak calmly.
| Because l love you-forgive a
thief for his presumption. Clara
Miss Stanhope, return to Texas next
month; say you forgive me before |
go. I shall never see you again after
tonight. Say you understand ever
so little"
Clara interrupted him.
Do you still want my emeralds?"
Roger flushed to his eyes.
Il beg your pardon-well, perhaps
deserve that speech"
Il accompany my emeralds," mur-
INJURED Clara.
cara, my dear, you don't mean
oh. no, 1t is impossible. I'm not
worth your love"
Perhaps not" was Clara Stan
hopes answer; "but you have 1t all
the same" Then she added, shyly,
Don't you want to keep it?"
Roger gave her the best answer to
her Question.-New York Weekly.