Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1912-12-13

a
up my courage to go down to break
fast her son had finished his meal and
had gone out So / was received b,
her alone. breakfasted principally
on fruit. Mrs. varney chatting with me
the while
"'Now. my dear boy. she said. you
must make yourself entirely at home
Go to bed and rise when you like. eai
and drink what you want. but would
advise you to keep out OF doors a.
much as possible Bert asked me t.
say to you that he will start to ride
over the plantation at 10 o'clock this
morning, and IL you wish to Join him
! am to order horse for you How
did you leave your dear mother:
You're looking better than | expected
TO find yon-a little pale, but wheii
you have spent a month In the open
air with Bert you'll have more color N
your cheeks
II shonld think So Indeed. felt IN.
color coming into my cheeks ever,
time ! looked at my trousers de
cided to ride with Bert that very morn
ing and In half au hour went ont osi
to the veranda. booted and spurred
had ridden in divided skirts. which
was a fine preparation for riding VI
breeehes. Bert. who bad already been
out on horseback, rode up. and when
had mounted we started on the dali,
rounds.
Il studied Bert's countenance in an
effort to make out how far successful
was In personatlng man. He didn't
give me the slightest evidence thai
there was anything unusual in me.
treating me as a man would naturally
treat another man several years young
er than himself. He was very kind
and attentive. telling me all about the
orange culture, the dangers Incurred
and the pleasure experienced after
passing a season of them in gathering
an abundant crop. reined In severn
times during the morning under tire,
to pluck ripe fruit How much NOR
delicious is an orange eaten just OF
the tree than one picked green ant
sent north. ripening on the way
1T would require several hundred
pages of this letter paper especiali,
written In my scrawly hand-to CIV,
you an account of my experience witt
Bert Varney. thought him yer,
pure man. for | noticed that he said
not word to me but what be Nigh
have spoken to girl companion
/ came at once to have so great
reverence--admirat for him partii
on this account that | took pains (,
repress the hoyden nature to which
was born. and up to few days be-
fore was expecting TO leave for HON,
deported myself In an exemplary man
ner.
You know that riding horseback
my hobby. and II had been a man
would have long ago broken my nee
at a fence or ditch There were u
fences at the plantation except SOM
incloslng orange groves, but the ditche
were a constant temptation to me
was afraid that II / should get n
betraying my sex After resistln
many temptations yielded one morl
ing and. making a run for a ditch.
tempted to put my horse over It.
felt the bottom of the universe drol
ping out beneath me, thud. and
knew nothing more till saw Re
bending over me My coat and ".
were both open. and my shirt and u
dervest had been badly torn, | sav
In a moment that my secret was oni
Though was badly stunned. felt III.
hot blood rushing into my cheeks
NOV. wasn't this just too provokins
for anything? | was lying on the
ground, but gathered strength to sit
up and rearrange my clothing, though
about all could do was TO button m,
coat Then / clapped both hands To
my burning cheeks and would have
kept them there had Bert not gently
pulled them away.
Don't trouble yourself. I've known
1t ever since the evening you came
to u.s.
''He said 20 more ut the time; he
was too much concerned about my in
fury. | made an effort 10 rise. bin II
was not very suctesSful However
with Bert's assistance got on to my
feet, | took no thought ms to bruises
or broken bones or Internal injuries.
was horrified at my secret being ont
and the manner OF Its exposure Ny
head was hung while my companion
was trying to get some OF the dirt OF
my clothes. at the same time looking
at me with anxiety.
docs your mother know-itT
managed to get out with difficulty.
".Ne'
81 was getting faint again. and he
supported me In his arms.
II suppose this ends all the pleas
ant--friendshlp'-
Yes. It does. on my part, and h.
kissed me.
1T is astonishing how far that ks
Tended to restnre me.
"How remained few days long
at the plantation. hoy to every ni
except Bert: how got home. hitv
continued to keep my secret m
mamma and told il to papa. ! will
you when we meet Bert and ar,
gagged. hut are not to be married
spring. Papa says he knew | w
never get husband In the ree
way. But-if J ever have a dans
and she is inclined to play
pranks as | have played IN shut
up in the top OF tower"