The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1868-12-05
M i s g Ell L a M 60 us.
JUDGE HARDING'S BIRTH
Day GIFT.

JUDGE HARDING'S BIRTH
D1Y GIFT.
Slowly and wearily Judge Harding uscended
the steps OF his stately but gloomy mansion Not
one OF It's many rooms were lighted, with the ex-
ceptou Of the library and that used in common
by the two domestics. Yet there had been
time when those darkened and deserted parlors
had been one blaze of light, and its walls had
echoed 10 the sound of merry laughter and gay
young voices.
Judge Harding entered the library, and closing
the door looked drearily around. Yet it was
filled with ali the appliances of wealth and luxu-
ry; the carpet was like velvet to the foot, the
lofty walls were decked with pictures, and the
wide, deep windows hung with wine-colored
drapery of the richest silk.
A large easy chair was wheeled in front of the
fire, which gave forth a ruddy glow across it
lay dressing gown, while on the rug were slip
pers all ready for his feet. But Judge Harding
knew it was the work of old Margery, his house
keeper, who, though she had been in his service
two score years, feared more than she loved him.
There was no eye TO brighten at his approach,
no voice 10 welcome him
This thought was uppermost in the old mans
mind, as, leaning back in his chair, he gazed ad-
stractedly into the fire. Some years BEFORE God
had called 10 himself the wife OF his youth-taken
the sons she had borne him filled a drunkard's
grave; the other bad been mortaly wounded in
some disgraceful quarrel. But Estelle, his little
Estee, the eve lamb of his flock, loved beyond
all Others and yet who had wounded his heart
so soreiy, where was she?
Ah well he knew that the December snow
WAS falling upon her grave; that she died un-
soothed by the knowledge of his forgiveness
The rou-gray locks that shaded his temples
6ed vii he
strongly marked features and which were char
acterized by a hardness and coldness almost re-
peling, yet through it could be seen traces OF
mental anguish of which weaker natures are in
capable.
He was aroused from the gloomy reverie into
which he bad fallen by old Margery, who, open
ing the door, said
''There is woman, with little girl in the
hall. who insists on seeing you."
=DId she give her name ~
''She said her name was Dugald," returned
Margery, speaking with evident hesitation.
But contrary to her expectations, this mention
of Il name hated above all others produced no
visible effect upon her master.
stShow her in" he said after moments re-
itiection.
1t was diGcult to determine the age OF the wo-
man wao entered. Her hair was nearly white,
but her eyes bright and piercing, and her tall,
strongly-built frame MS erect as in early life.
u
her couutenauce and bearing indicated an unusu-
al amount of will and energy combined with no
little shredness and effrontery.
Judge Harding evidently saw all this in the
steady look with which he regarded her.
''You are the mother of the late Richard Du-
gald ?''
81 am the mother of your late daughters
husband, Judge Harding"
The proud old man WINGED visibly at this
hut 1oco
"And this is the child OF your son p he in
quirei, pointing to lovely little girl of six clad
in deep mourning, who was standing by her
sside
''Ths is the daughter of Richard and Estelle
Dugald; your grandchild andmine Judge Har-
ding ~ returned the woman in the same sharp,
defiant tone
Judge Harding could not controvert this state
irent, humbling though it was but his voice took
sharper tone as he said:
"Why have you brought her to me ?'
because | have not the means of supporting
her, aud you have"
"Did your late son have no property 2"
For a moment the woman's eyes wavered be-
meath his penetrating look, then she said boldly !;
''No;hing buta mere pttance, which was more
than swallowed up by the expenses of your
daughters last sickness"
Judge Harding's eyes blazcd with a sudden
scorn that was almost startling.
''Do not hope to delude me so easily" he cried
"There is not one act of yours that has escaped
nv notice know that your son left property
which should have descended to his wife and
child OF which you took possession. ! know,
also, the grudging care you bestowed on the de-
Iaded girl that your son lured from her friends
and home. But let them both pass. | will take
the child and amply indemnify you from every
possible expense but only on one condition
that YOU sign this paper, by which you Rledge
vourself to abstain from all future interfere.ce
with your grand-child."
The woman's eyes sparkled as she caught a
elimpse Of the roll Of bills in Judge HardingS
hand, but still she hesitated -.
The sharp-sighted old man saw quickly Tue
cause of this hesitation. ,,,,:a
ssI w;sb vou to distinctly understand, be said
n ough will provide FOR the Gnllu - ~. hc =.
q ..ss<as. TO make her my heir shall leave nel 81
only sufficient TO place her above want the oulf
o'i my property will go to some charitable lns'l
,g,tion."
As Mrs. Duaald lssksa-seergsffsra rarnest and
rtn5d; another word she signed the paper and
then, taking the money the Judge placed in hei
hand departed.
As soon as she closed the door after her, Judge
Harding turned to the little girl, who stood re-
gardng him with timid, wistful look.
'What is your name, child ?" he said, abrupt
ly:
'iEsieIIe Harding Dugald," she replied in a
sweet, clear voice, that had pretty lisp to it,
s'Do you know who am?'
"You are my grandpapa Harding"
Ah how many pleading voices arose in his
heart at these words bat he csushed them down
with stern hand.
II am, not your graudpapa, " be sad harshly |;
s,you must never call me by that name"
The small red lips quivered andthe soft brown
eyes filed with tears but withou appearing to
notice them, Judge Harding gave he bell has
ty pull.
siMargery," be said, as that individual enter
ed s'this little girl is the child of Richard Du-
gali place her for the present u1der your
are See that she has everything thashe needs,
but do not let her come within my sigh or hear
ing"
on the child, who, attracted by her kinl moth
erly face, sprang eagerly to the hand se held
out to her, and then, with respectful courtesy
to the Judge she led her from the room.
Weeks came and went. Little Estellegrew
dearer every day TO the faithful old nurse, who
had tended her mother in her helpless infano.
She obeyed her masters injunctions, thogh
many were her inward murmurs at what be
termed bis unnatural treatment of the child,f
his only daughter. This was not difficult for tie
house was large, and there were some portions
il that the Judge never entered. Sometimes il
deed, he heard the patter of little feet along th
corridor that led to some remote apartment or d
sweet, bird like voice which fell upon his heart
like strain of half-forgotten music but that
was all.
Perhaps Judge Harding's heart might have
Isoftened toward his grandchild had she come to
him in any other way if the daughter he had