The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-12-15

For a moment Fred paused and looked
after the passing carriage.
Oh, Nellie To think was cut of
without cent? 1t is too hard"
"Neyer mind, Fred; it is always darkest
before day, you know"
On his visit the next day, Mrs. Harris,
as we will now call tho old woman Of
whom VIC have spoken, asked him If be
would grant her favor; it wouldn't take
much time, but it would be comfort to
her. After promising that he woul1 90
all in his power to aid her, she told hin
in few words of an unpaid dress making
bill due the sick girl, which she had been
unable to collect, as the dress was not fii-
ished, her mother being i'll, and needing
all her care and attention. The lady was
angry because it was not completed at tho
promised time, aud had refused to pay the
bill.
Fred told her that his carriage was It
the door, and he would take her to tlP
house of the lady; she went for her bonne
and quickly returned; after driving a fev
miles from the city, they drew up before
large, fine looking mansion.
"Now | want you to go in with me, 7
said Mrs. Harris.
Fred thought the whole proceeding
strange; but, as he had humored her so
far, he concluded to do as she asked; so,
fastening his horse, they went up the
steps together, rang the bell, and were
ushered into the drawing-room. After q
few moments delay, to his surprise and
unspeakable astonishment, he found him
self face to face with Mrs. Harmon, his
stepmother.
She did not recognize him, as he had
changed much since she last saw him; then
he was only boy, as it were; now he had
grown to be a large, fine looking man,
with full beard, and a skin Drowned by
exposure to the sun.
But he knew her only too well; every
feature of her wicked face was impressed
deep in the mind of the mau she had rob
bed of his fathers love and fortune
Though inwardly much agitated, his pro-
fession had taught him self.control, and
as he took proffered seat, a causual OBJ
server would have noticed nothing unu-
sual in his demeanor.
Mrs. Harris Immediately made known
her errand, and presented tho bill, which
Mrs Harmon refused to pay, pleading
broken contract as an excuse; she had
been disappointed in receiving her dress
too late for the occasion for which it was
ordered, and the girl must feel the weight
of her displeasure by the loss Of the money.
Mrs. Harris explained the circumstan-
ces, but to no avail. She then spoke her
mind freely, which proceeding resulted in
an order from Mrs. Harmon to leave her
house, and DR.. Harmon arose from his
seat, as he started for the door, wishing to
end what to him had been a very unpleas-
ant interview. Mrs. Harris also arose,
and, placing her hand on his arm, said
"Stop one moment"
Then, turning, she faced Mrs. Harmon
and said,-
Madam, this is not the first time you
have spurned me from your door. Eight
years ago | was housekeeper in Mr.. Har.
mons house on the Hudson"
Taking from her head the wig of black
hair, she stood, before their astonished
gaze, the gray-haired old Kate Harris
Then, raising her bent form to its full
height, she fixed her sharp piercing eyes
on the proud, wicked face Of the woman
before her, and, with low, clear voice
in which was the pent up wrath of years
she said
"Mrs. Harmon, lam here to day to give
back to its lawful owner, Frederick Har-
mon who stands before you, his father.
estate, which you have obtained through
intrigue and fraud"
at is lie ~ hissed Mrs. Harmon, who
had recovered sufficiently from her sur
prise to answer.
81 have papers" continued old Katie
without noticing the interruption, "with
me, that will prove your marriage null
and void, as the ceremony took place three
days before the decree of divorce, obtained
by bought witnesses, from your former vic.
tim, John Travers, whom you married fol
his wealth, and deserted when misfortune
aud poverty overlook him.
"Here Mrs. Harmon attempted to an.
swer, but old Katie raised her hand toward
the bewildered and frightened woman, and
then drew forth the documents, saying
81 have here the will made by James
Harmon one week before he died, and
after he learned your true character; it is
duly signed and Witnessed but for poverty
and sickness in distant city, you would
have heard from me before"
Mrs. Harmon, as she saw the will, fully
realized her situation; she had always
known that her marriage could not stand
the test of law, but had felt safe, as it had
never before been disputed; she saw it was
worse than hopeless to dispute the will,
and even her widows dover was spirited
away as if by magic.
Fred drove back to the city with his old
nurse in half bewildered state of mind,
and it was some time before he could really
understand the change in his prospects.
We will leave the reader to imagine the
rest, and only add that old Katie is again
housekeeper in the beautiful home on the
banks Of the Hudson, and finds Kind
mistress in the new Mrs. Harmon.