Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1909-12-10

Captain Pakenham,' said His Ex-
cellency. the Governor, turning
toward the hearth where q figure
stood like some superb young Mars,
"you are late, sir; what do you mean
by such delay? / was obliged to send
servant to search for you"
81 crave your Excelleney's pardon, {"
he answered. Il was playing bowls
with Miss Margaret. and SO gave little
heed to time"
The secretary at the Governors
side thrust tho goose quill hard into
the ink horn, and blot fell on his
paper.
His Excellency had come to this,
his favorlte country house, with a
retlnue Of guests and servants. to
celebrate not the New Year, but an
event at once uncommon and interest
!ng--a double marriage
"Pakenham," said the Governor,
ayou hear the preparations for your
wedding on the morrow. marvel
that you should waste time at bowls
with my niece. Margaret, or forget
for a moment the Importance of the
occasion, when the lady who has come
from England to marry you is already
approaching the house. Let me re-
mind you. sir, that your father has
sent Miss Keppel to mend with her
wealth the wasted fortunes of your
family, as well as to make you happy
by the gift Of her youth and beauty.
"Now, II you would save your repu-
tation as lover and a gentleman,
mount and make such speed as you
can to meet Miss Keppel's coach"
81 make haste to obey your com
mands." said Pakenham. and he
bowed and went jauntiiy out of the
council chamber.
But the moment its door closed
upon him his countenance changed.
With a groan he started to descend
the staircase, and in its first turn
found himself face to face with slen-
der, brunette girl. who was just COM
ing up.
He bent his fair. tall head. and
kissed her on the lips; then tore down
tho stair. his sword Gathering against
the stout oak as he went.
Meanwhile in the council chamber
the Governor was talking to his sec
retary.
ut is well for the boy to go with
you to the altar tomorrow, said the
Governor. Seeing you so happy in
the love Of Margaret. he may pause
70 reflect upon his own folly. and.
haply, awake to some sense of graft
tude and duty. l am fond Of Paken-
ham, and desire his welfare. He has
been great favorlte. too. with Mar
garet."
"Yes," assented the secretary.
His Excellency withdrew. A light
tap sounded on the door, and Mar
garet Winslow, the niece of the Gov
ernor, stepped into the room.
AS she advanced to meet her lover
she inyoluntarily cast down her eyes.
He tried to take her hand. but she
broke from him, and ran to a window
that commanded view of the high
way.
"Let us watch for Miss Keppels
coach, Jasper. have a secret to tell
you. and oh, am sore afraid-my
heart is beating fast.
"Eh? Afraid? OF what, pray-of
whom?"
"of you and my uncle. Do you
think the English girl can be far
omou1 ~ 10 bord INV mo 4o ,,,oly. NV
confession-it will be harder for you
to hear IT."
Margaret, what jest is this? Your
face is like chalk-you tremble!"
"And well l mayi Look! she is at
hand!-I see the outriders-the
heads of the horses. youder in the
curve of the road, where the tall cedar
stands. Oh. l must tell you now. or
our lives will be forever wrecked 1t
is Pakenham whom l love, Jasper
not you-and alasl he loves me. II
he marries the English he!ress to-
morrow, and If I am forced to wed
you. my heart will break"
The blow was cruel Never till that
moment had he doubted her faith.
The coach turned in at the gate.
The bleak winter night was brood
ing on the marshes.
Over the barren waste a man came,
running like a fox, looking behind
him now and then Gs he fed. Far
away in the distance twinkIed light
Instinctively he set his face toward
it. It shone from low black house
on the edge of the marsh.
He raped on the door and hand
some young woman opened to him.
Madam" he said. may | ask a
place by your fire and a morsel of
supper?"
His voice and bearing betokened
man of breeding. She drew back that
he might enter. a.
THE FIRE is free to all VIZ
she said, land as for SUI
a portion set for me-
r'sdlv."
motioned tow
coarse bread
.untasted