Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1908-05-15

girl, but what she says counts.
Brown drew a fong breath. The
girl might have a few facts in her
possession now which would count
largely for half the town. and espe-
eially for her father and the North
Blum Quarry Company. and he
listened in silence to his wife's
further praises OF Anne, and then
strolled over to the north end OF the
town to do a bit OF listening on ac-
count Of Hammond and Brown.
If she heard,- he decided. "the
news will spread like wild-ire."
He came on a group Of men in
front Of the postoffice. hobnobbing
with their heads together. There it
Isl" was his nervous thought. lie
stopped abruptly and listened:
Twas the biggest fish ever taken
out Of the Susquehanna. fell on his
relieved ears.
80 nonsense. stopperi got one
last October that weighed"
Brown passed by on the other side.
He had caught the biggest fish him
self that was ever pulled out Of the
river at that point, but he was will
ing to yield the palm to any Of them
II they would keep off the subject OF
the South Bluff
Round the corner he saw Mr.. Tup-
per In earnest conversation with DR..
Close and one of the ministers, and
his heart gave another apprehensiye
beat. He walked slowly.
It's for the good Of the country
at large" tell you." DR.. Close was
saying, that we elect our man. /
can prove 1t by statistics"
The minister hastily interrupted.
Mr.. Tupper listened with bent head.
Amos Brown sighed in relief and hur-
ried on. His politics did not agree
with theirs, but he was willing at
present that they should have things
their own way.
That evening he telegraphed to
Hammond in cipher: "Signs indicate
that she did not hear. Not sure, how
ever"
4 AO AOAiONAAt udSf ntiAA app CACh-
sive. he mixed with the townspeople.
alert and listening, and that night
sent stronger telegram to New
York; "Am satisfied she did not
hear"
But the third day this satisfaction
was turned into uncertainty and
alarm by a simple remark from an
old woman, known by every one as
Aunt Ruth. She had recently re-
eeived soma long-deferred pension
money. She was waiting on the side
walk for Anne. and Mr.. Brown was
just behind her.
I've invested half my pension
money!. Aunt Ruth announced. as
Anne came within hearing. "Dld it
this morning.
"oh, did you, aunty?" responded
Anne. brightly. "How?'
In a lot at the south end she
responded, eagerly. Il tried to get
one of your pa up at the north end.
but he told me to get a south end
one. lie said 'twould come much
cheaper now, and mebby-"
Here Aunt Ruth. bowling crisply tc
Mr.. Brown, waited until he had
passed. Anne also, glanclng up,
| bowed, and flushed uneasily.
She looksrguilty, thought Brown,
walking on. t~but l can't understand
Tupper's advice. II he knew, he'd
certainly try to sell of his north end
lots instead of advising people to buy
at the south end" and his perplexity
increased.
That night Hammond received a
last telegram @Hurry the purchase.
Am afraid it's known" The owner
of the South Bluff, with whom Ham
mond was closing the deal. lived in
New York.
But at the end of the third day
suspense gave way to relief, for
whether Anne had heard or not, the
South Bluff was in the possession Of
Hammond and Brown. Hammond
brought the deed from the city.
-Well.' said Brown. the following
morning, as the two sat on the hotel
porch, Il don't care to repeat the
anxiety of the last week. l wonder if
Anne"
Mr.. Tupper came up the porch steps
with DR.. Close.
We've Just heard OF your pur.
chase. said DR.. Close, shaking hands
in a congratulatory way.
Have you just heard OF it?" de-
manded Brown, rising and confront
ing Mr.. Tupper impulsively. Your
girl has given US great scare. We
didn't know but that she overheard
US talking down at the station Mon
day night"
Mr.. Tupper nodded. "she did over
hear"
Hammond pushsd forward, laugh
ing. do you mean to say that she
didn't tell a few other girls under
promise never to tell?"
Mr.. Tupper smiled and shook his
head.
DO you mean to say that she
didn't tell your" demanded Brown,
soberly. He had had too much anx-
iety to feel in laughing mood.
Mr.. Tupper hesitated. YES" he
admitted, Anne told me. but only
when old Aunt Ruth was determined
to invest in north end lot. She has
so little to invest that Anne could not
be silent and see her invest in prop
erty likely to depreciate in value
nor could l." he ended, adding.
Anne. of course. told no one else.
DR.. Close elapped Mr.. Tupper on
the shoulder. "Anne's as near like
her father as two people can bel" he
laughed "Hai hal Glad to know
of a girl that's got so much honor
about keeping a secret. Good for
Anne!'
Hammond and Brown sat in silence,
watching the two go down the street.
Suddenly Hammond smote Browns
knee, There's our managerl" he
announced, excltedly.
Brown looked dazed. "Who?
Thought you said you hadp't found
one"
"Well. l have. and so have you.
Just like Anne, is he? Well, that's
& fine recommendation. to begin with,
and that transaction with Aunt Some