Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1910-05-06

$1,000 Ddch, utdu AT Olc eAucs W view
her last addition to the roem--the
making Of the bed. 1t stood in the
corner by one dormer-window,
through which one might see entranc-
ing pictures OF swaying elm tops, blue
sky, and far away the line of the hills.
The bed itself, a resurrection, was the
mothers pride. Its four slender
posts were draped with wonderfully
clever imitation OF that which had
dressed il seventy-five years earlier.
And the valance, with quaint little
knotted fringe that the mother had
searched the city over to find, and the
sheet and pillow cases beautifully
embroidered with the daughters
monogram-al standing waiting and
ready.
isn't 1t all Just too lovely?" said
the mother, delightedly. And then.
with little anxious note in her voice,
do you think she will like it,"
The father stood in the doorway,
looking on.
"Why. yes; how can she help it?"
man. he was optimistic.
The next day the daughter would
return from her long absence from
home, visit of few weeks with
cousins in O distant town. Together
now the mother and father stood, to
examine and to appreciate all the de-
tails of the great surprise.
The room had always been the
daughters, since she had been old
enough to discover how fascinating
a third-floor room is, with four DOR
mer-windows, but the mother had
found the possibilities. With all the
ardor of a girl planning her long
dreamed ideal of room, she had
bought, selected. sorted and ban
ished, till now it was perfected, the
last thing was done.
1t was father who had the fireplace
fitted in, with its high, colonial man
tel, and he also contributed the and
irons.
The mother selected the paper,
with its riot of roses and buds over
walls and sloping ceiling alike, and
she had covered the high-backed
rockers and low chair herself with the
flowered cretonne exactly like the pa
| per. The mirror was Create Grand
mother brakes, and the candlesticks
at each end of the mantel; but the
/ dressing-table-not even father knew
how much she had paid for that from
her own allowance. The old dresser
had been in the room before, but 1t
looked quite different in its new COW
er, and little new bedroom slippers
peeped from beneath the valance Of
the bed.
With appreciative eyes they both
studied the room. Over the mantel
was. dark old portrait of Grandfa-
ther Drake as young man, in high
collar and satin stock, with sloping
shoulders and fancy waistcoat The
oval frame was dull gilt and effective.
The mother was doubtful about it
she feared it was hung too high
then she wondered if the daughter
would care for it, although she had
always been such great admirer Of
Grandfather Drake.
Once the daughter had said she
wished she might have certain old
photographs of her father and moth
er. On each side of the mirror, and
directly over the candlesticks On the
dressing-table, was a small, oval
frame like that of Grandfather
brakes picture, only in one of these
was demure little maid, with parted
hair, and low-necked, short-sleeved
gown showing dimpled arms and
J shoulders, and in the other the dear
est, pudgiest, round-faced and won
dreusly Killed little father.
Weren't you the dearest thing?"
cried the mother, giving him a sud
den little hug.
Il don't know" he answered, smil-
ing, ''but am quite sure you were. !"
DO you think she will like it?''
she repeated again, after pause in
which she took in every detail, the
result Of weeks of planning and hard
work and anxious effort to please.
ut is just the sort of room l should
have liked"
The next day was cold, with alter
mating downpours of rain and fog.
The father left late in the afternoon
for the depot. arriving full half.
hour early, that he might be there in
time for the train.
At home everything was aglow with
light and warmth. The dining-room
table was laid with the best silver
and china and the new table-cleth,
and was lighted softly from the can
delabra. which were heirlooms Of
great value The library fire snapped
and cracked cheerily, and on the
piano and on the table in the han
were bowls of carnations. A new
picture hung at the stair landing.
Everything was ready. Katie at that
moment, in the kitchen, was whipping
the cream for the delectahle dessert.
The mother stood by the window
watching and listening eagerly for the
first sounds of arrival She had ar
rayed herself in her best white wool
SWIM WIN PABAh5o VI Bilh NtifcL,
worn over her very best pink slip.
Her cheeks were pink with excite
ment, and in the coils of her soft
brown hair was tucked pink geran-
ium. She ran from the window to
rearrange a flower that dropped too
far. and missed the sight of their
approach up the street; but at the
sound OF feet on the porch. she was
at the door, the light streaming out
over her lovely flushed face and
eager, outstretched arms.
For few moments little was said
and the father made great pretense
Of kicking on his rnbbers. Then the
daughter extricated herself and
Locked around.
She was a perfectly healthy. fresh,
niee-iooking girl of about nineteen,
with clear, gray eyes, rather round
face and a pretty color, People said
thar. with a few changes in her Esi,
and < slight tightening Of the
She mkt resemble strongi
mother,s other, Grandmotf-
.s.r Inf a-nn't yot4 n.