The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-04-16

make no revelation. Henny mas
been here this morning to inquire
about it; and I overheard her mother
to whom 1 was not at home, for
1 am tired to-day, and the conversa-
tion is a little trying-asking Bar
cley 'How's her head?' as if it were
a ship
''Still, 1 suppose you really had
headache last night, since it prevent
ed you escorting Sophy to the ball
unless, indeed, it was merely an ex-
cuse and you had some more valid
reason"
''Well, had headache, William.
1 think it was the cheering on the
river. But the fact is, Sophy her.
self did not seem much inclined to go,
so we agreed to give it up
Aunt Maria felt that this was not
a successful speech, but she was a
little alarmed at her brothers man
ner, as we'll as the guess she had
made at the actual condition of af-
fairs. 1t was very unusual with him
to take interest in their domestic pro-
ceedings, or to question any arrange
ments she made for herself and
Sophy.
'And why did she not want to go?"
persisted the canon. ''She is gener-
ally fond enough Of balls"
MY dear brother, if you knew as
much of girls as I do" Che did very
nearly), you would understand that
they are as full Of their fancies as
you wise men are Of your great
thoughts. The things they like to-
day they dislike tomorrow, and for
the same reason that made little
Stevie, next door, throw all his toys
into the dust hole-because he was
tired of them"
Then hope Sophy is tired of her
rag dog, Mr.. Herbert Perry, and
doesn't want to play with him any
more"
A startling speech from the lips of
any one, but from those of the canon
like thunder out of a. blue sky. 1t
was luckily for Miss Aldred that his
i~1iG7ation ! supplied him with a fine
f i of words, during which she was
abe i collect her thoughts; or, in
her ala-n-since concealment was
now out of the question-she might
have told him more than was neces-
Sary.
81 shouldn't complain" continued
her brother, eff Sophy had fallen in
love with some curled darling-such
as one sees in the hairdresser's win
dows-but the man she is encourag-
ing is not only fool, but a vicious
fool; perhaps even a scamp, or
scoundrel. Of course you noticed,
what everybody else noticed,> last
evening how he drank her health in
public-conduct which nothing can
excuse in my eyes, however, eioneao
excuse, as the phrase goes, but drink.
+ is no excuse in my eyes, however,
but rather an aggravation. More
over, it cannot be said that it was a
temporary exhibition. I hear, on the
best authority, that he went to the
ball in a state of liquor. That is why
I said that I was not sorry you did
not go. And I shall be still better
pleased to hear that the reason of
Sophy's absence was the apprehen-
sion of meeting him, after what had
taken place at my rooms"
ST really and truly believe that it
was" answered Aunt Maria. Il did
not mean to say anything about it
to you,; because 1 promised Sophy not
to do so; but that is what, on the
whole, I gathered from her. I don't
think she has any such fancy for
him as she had; and if she is
ashamed of him, of course that is
great point gained; only I entreat
you to be careful in what you say to
her. Opposition is the soil on which
this sort of love affair thrives best. !"
That's all very we'll in plays,
Maria; but in real life it does not do
to trust to a girls having her eyes
opened to her lovers unworthiness
by his own misdoings. Upon one
thing I shall tell Sophy I have made
up my mind; Mr.. Perry never crosses
my threshold again.
The intervention of Canon Aldred
in matters Of his own house had the
rarity OF miracle, but also the force.
His laws, when he did go in for law
making, were as those of the Medes
and Persians; and Aunt Maria was
we'll aware that no pleading on her
part on behalf of Mr.. Herbert Perry
would either defer or mitigate his
sentence of perpetual exile.
She bowed her head and pursed her
lips, the former in obedience to her
brothers ukase, the latter in silent
protest against it; took up her needle
work-a sign she was not coming
back in hurry-and left the room.
Unconscious of her aunt's step
upon the stairs, Sophy sits alone, with
a letter in her hand. 1t has just
reached her, but not by the post; for
she has other ways of communicating
with the outside world.
To ba Continued