The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1875-11-05
M j 8 c ell "a n @ O u 8
THE REWARD OF KINDNESS.

Mrs. Gorham put down letter she had
been reading, and looking around the ia
BILE at her blooming daughters and two
tall, handsome sons, she said in dolciul
tone
Your Aunt Sabna is coming to Lon
don and has invited herself here without
ceremony"
"When z" asked Arabella, with an in
tonation Of intense disgust
"She will reach here this afternoon
Wilbur, you will have to meet her."
"Sorry, ma, but l have promised to drive
Miss Caldwell to the park. Fred can
CO."
"Certainly, l will Co." Fred said grave
ly, though there was a hot flush on his
forehead. 81 am very fond of Aunt"
Nonsense ~ said his mother, "you have
not seen her for fourteen years. | never
went near the dctcstable old farm after
your father died"
Nevertheless, have vivid rccollcc-
ton of Aunt Sabina's kindness when we
were there"
"Dear me, Fred" drawled Lucilla, "don't
be sentimental; wish the old thing
would stay home. / can't imagine what
she is coming here for9'
''Shc is our fathers sister," said Fred,
sand cannot find anything surprising III
her looking for IL welcome amongst her
brothers children"
Mrs. GorhGm shrugged her shoulders. II
she had spoken her thoughts, it would
have bcen-"Fred is so odd . Just like
his father. But she only said-"I may de-
pend upon you then, to meet your aunt
Fred will see about her room"
1t Il was source of great satisfaction to
Mrs. Gorham that her children were all
like herself "truc Greers, every one OF
them except Fred" she would say, con.
graduating herself that the plebeian blood
of "Gorham perez was not transmitted in
the features of her elder son Wilbur, OIL
any of the three girls.
That Greer pride meant intense selfish
ness, that Greer beauty was of cold, hard
type, that Greer disposition was tyrannica
and narrow minded, did not trouble Mrs
Gorham. That the son, who was "al
Gorham." was proud to the core with the
true pride that knows no false shame thai
he was noble in disposition, handsome in
frank, manly type, generous and selfsacri
ticing, she could not appreciate. His hands
and feet were not so small as darling Viii
bur's, he had no fashionable affectations
and no"Greern look. So his mother though
him rough and coarse, and his sisters de
clared that he had no style at all. But out
side of the home, where great show o
wealth was made by many private ccono
mics, Fredwas more appreciated.
When he became man, and knew tina
his fathers estate though sufficient TO Civ,
them every comfort, was not large enough
for the extravaganza his mother indulge
in, he fitted himself for business, and tool
position in a counting house, thus be
coming self-supporting, though his mothe
declared no Greer had ever been in trade
That the money she lived on was made il
soap boiling, the fashionable lady ignored
entirely Darling Wilbur had studieC
law, but his first client had not yet APP
peared, and Mrs. Gorham supported him
trusting his destinations would touch tn
heart of some moneyed belle. Miss Cald
well was the present hope. She was he
own mistress, an orphan heiress, and yer,
handsome. That she was proud and rath
er cold in manner, was only an additiona
charm to Mrs. Gorham, and Lucillas Ara
bella, and Corinne were enthusiastic il
their admiration of "Cornelia Caldwell
queenly manner"
Nobody suspected that Fred, blunt
straight forward Fred, hid one secret il
his heart, confessed to no living being -
And that secret was love, pure and true
for Cornelia Caldwell-a love that woul(
shut itself closely away from any suspicion
of fortune-hunting-that only dropped ant
mourned, thinking of the heiress.
AT four o'clock, Fred was at the station
with carriage, waiting for Aunt Sabina
What II little, fashioned figure she was
in her quaint black bonnet and large fig
ured shawl. But Fred knew her kindl
old face at once, though he had not secl
it since he was twelve years old.
"Gou are Aunt" he said, going quickl
to meet her.
She looked at the handsome face, an,
caught a quick gasping breath.
You must be one of Johns oys," sh
said. "How like you are to your father !!
II am Fred" he answered.
Dear heart How you've grown! Isyou
ma here ?"
"Shc is waiting for you at home"
The good old country woman had neve
had the least doubt of warm welcome q
her brothers house and Fred ccrtainl
confirmed her expectations. He found til
old black leather trunk, the Lag, the bant
box, the great bullying cotton umbrell,
and put them all in the carriage withou
one smile of ridicule. He made his Aur
go to the restaurant and refresh herself b'
lore starting On the long drive home. H