The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1910-03-04

SOIuS Ou- IS Idl sc was Wv
cred with oilcloth, not unconscious
of stains. And the men gathered
round one side, upon which tray
with "the hot water" and black bot
tie and a strange array of glasses,
big and little, had been placed. This
seemed the first thing thought of in
the house; for Margaret, the big
woman servant Everything was big), 3,
brought in the tray, pushing open the
door with it as she bore it in front of
her before the order had been given.
And presently the fumes Of the hot
"toddy" filled the room, pungent and
strong, making Janet feel faint and
sick. The men flung themselves into
chairs, or stood about, filling the
other end of the room-a small,
rough, dark crowd with Tom in the
midst. They were all very kind" to
Tom, patting him on the shoulder,
addressing him by name, filling his
glass for him, while Janet, alone >at
the end of the table, looked on
alarmed The mistress was bringing
out from cupboard cups and sau-
GERS, basin Of sugar and other prep
arations for the tea.
"It would do the little miss far
more good to taste a glass O. my
brew, and put some color into her
cheeks, said-the master of the house.
"Haud you tongue. goodman, and
leave the young lady to me. TAX
D-l,o oil
get both yourself and other folk into
trouble If you dipna pay attention.
"Toots! glass will harm nae
body" Blackmore said.
II want my sister to see that
mare" said Tom-"that mare, you
know, Blackmore, that you said you'd
keep for me- l want her to see the
stables. I told her all about you,
and that we were tremendous
friends"
"Ah, laddie!" said Blackmore, "the
sight of you brings many thing
back. Many and many's the time
your father"
II told her So" said Tom. with his
glass in his hands. Here's to all of
you. And 1 mean to stick to fathers
friends"
"Tom!" cried Janet, with start.
of men, the loud voices and sound of
their feet upon the floor, scarcely
deadened by the thin carpet, scared
her altogether. "Oh, Tom, she said,
I'm too tired to see anything. Let us
go home-oh, let us go home!" and
overcome by excitement and con
fusion, Janet began to cry.
my bonnie dawtie," said the mis-
tress, wait till ye get your tea"
"Oh, let us get home,n cried Janet,
it will soon be dark I'm frightened
to ride after it is dark. All those
dreadful roads. Oh, Tom, let us get
home-oh, Tom, let us get home"
"Maister Tom," said the mistress.
it's true she says. It's not fit for a
bit thing like her to be galloping a
those uncivilized roads in the dark.
Charlie shall put in ane of the horses
in the dog-cart and drive her hame'
That will l." said Charlie" rising
with great deal of noise. He was
the best looking of the young men,
and he put down his steaming glass
with alacrity. "I'll put in Spanker,
and she'll gang like the wind
You'll have to be very canny With
her, for she's awfu' fresh" said an.
other of the men.
Don't be a fool, JAM" cried the
boy; shell ride home fast enough.
And I'm not going to have it; do you
hear, Charlie? What's the good of
making a fuss? I'm not going to
have it,, he cried, stamping his foot.
DO you want me to get into row?
Why, l as good as gave my word"
He stopped short himself, and they
all paused; Janet, too, hastily chok-
ing the sob in her throat. gazed at
him with startled look.
Maybe it was never to come back
here that We gave your word, Mr..
Tom" said Blackmore, rising up; i
would guess that by the looks of ye.
Well, yell keep your word my young
man; at least yell as near keep it as
is possible now. Charlie out with
the CART, man, what are you wait
ing for? and take the young lady
hame. 1t was name of her own will
that's clear, that brought her here
Ye can say that if it was his fault, it's
clear that it was name of hers. Ye
had better take him on behint, and
we'll send the horses back the morn. -
by Joye," shouted Tom, "I'll not
be taken on behind! I'll ride my OWE
horse or I'll not stir a step-and
catch me ever coming. out with her
again!" he cried with a shout which
made the heart which was beating
so wildly in Janet's breast drop down,
down to her shoes. But when she
found herself in the dog-cart by
Charlie Blackmore's side, wrapped up
warm, and flying like the wind, be-
hind Madam Spanker, who was so
iresn, Janet s senses turned :nfo a
consciousness of bien-etre which was
very novel and very sweet. She had
been persuaded to take the cup OF
tea. She had even eaten a bit OF
scone with fresh butter and marma
lade, which was very good. \ warm
shawl was wrapped round her shOut-
ders: and the delicious sensation OF
repose and warmth over her tired
limbs, while yet sweeping at 50 great
a pace over the country, with the
wind in her face and the long, doH-
bling roads flying past, was delight
full to Janet. The sound of Tom 8
horse-hOofs galloping. now behind,
now in advance, added to the sense
of supreme comfort and pleasure.
She had been so tired, and the pros
pect Of riding back nad been 50 ter
rible She felt as il flying through
the air, which caressed her cheek, as.
warmly tucked in by Charlie Hi2cE-
more's side, she was carried home.
Charlie was very kind almost IN
necessarily kind. He spoke loud IL
her ear, with intOnatiOns al which
Janet wondered vaguely, finding them
very pleasant. He told her 4 great
many things about him-elf-hUW na