The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-11-08

and reflect as much credit on herself as
possible.
But they were gone at last, and Josie
was at liberty to make her own simple pre-.
| paration, which did not take her long to
complete.
The father and daughter had a nice
quiet tea inrether. Irs,r was going on
the MORROW, and as, sitting opposite him
pouring out his tea, she saw the hard lines
soften in his careworn face, her heart re.
preached her for leaving him.
1--WE half Il mind not to 90, papa ; il
seems too bad to leave you here nll by
yourself"
But Mr.. Wilson would not hear ia
this.
81 insist on your going; you have been
working hard, and need change. My
life would be much the same, any way"
"Yuu may expect me in three weeks,
papa" smiled Josie, from the car window,
the ncXt morning. "Ynu'll want your lit
tle'hnusekeeptr by that time, know
And Mr.. Wilson went back to the cor
roding unxIeties which had made him an
old man before his time, thanking God
for this bit Of sunshine, and which left its
glow in the hearth long after it had van.
ished.
There were only II few passengers for
Baybridge, a small country town in the in
terror of the State, though there were the
usual loungers upon the platform of the
station, as Josie stepped out. But they
soon scattered, leaving her to stare blank
ly around for the conveyance that she sup
posed would be waiting for her.
She walked clear around the station,
looking in every direction, but not a vehicle
was in sight except a rough box wagon,
with board across it, drawn by pair of
spirited black horses, who stamped their
feet and tossed their heads as if impatient
to be off.
A man stood beside the FESTIVE creatures,
who yet seemed to be under perfect con-
troll.
"There Jenny Be easy, Kate !" he
said, patting the satin-smooth skin and
speaking very much as a mother would to
q child.
The baggage master was standing near
a pile of trunks and parcels.
us this your trunk, Miss ?" lie said as
Josie approached him.
Eyes. was expecting friends to meet
me, but they are not here. There must be
some mistake"
~ know most of the people around
here. What might their name be p
"Crofton.n
"Why, bless me, you've got off at the
wrong station. They live at North Bay
bridge, five miles beyond"
"When does the next train leave 2"
Tomorrow morning"
Josie looked the dismay that she certain
ly felt at this announcement.
"It's too bad, l declare, said the good
natured official, plying Josie's evident dis
tress.'
Then, as his eye fell upon the owner of
the team, who was looking towards them,
he added;
"If this amt a streak of luck Here's
j ohm Manning, their next neighbour
He can take you along just as well as
not
"John, here's young woman that's got
off at the wrong station. She wants to 90
to Crofton's, tell her that she can ride
with YOU"
The young man removed his straw hat,
revealing a forehead broad and full, and
whose whiteness contrasted strongly with
the healthful brown of the cheeks be-
low.
81 shall be very happy, if the young lady
has no objection to riding with farmer,
and in farmers wagon 2"
The admiration so clearly visible in the
honest blue eyes that met her own, made
Jose's cheeks redden.
''If it will not be too much trouble"
AS the young man listened to those low,
softly-spoken words, lie felt that nothing
Al oel lao
BILE at ALL Springirg to work, he soon i'm
provised quite a comfortable seat for Josie
by passing rope from one stake to anoth-
er, Just back of the board in 'front.' throw
ing thick, soft blanket over the whole.
Glad TO be released, Jenny and Kate bore
them swiftly along the winding country
road, dotted here and there by arm-houses,
nestled down among the trees and shrub
berry. AS soon as Josie got a little used to
it she enjoyed her elevated and novel posi-
ton, and which gave her a fine view of the
beautiful country through which they were
passing.
Her companion smiled at her enthusiast
tic EXPLANATIONS and comments, seeming to
take pleasure in the pleasure so frankly
and innocently expressed.
"Do you think you would like to live in
the country 2" lie said, stealing an admir-
ing glance at the glad young face.
above all things" responded JOSIE
"That is" she added, after moments
pause, "ifpapa could be here too. wish
lie could be, just for little while; he
would enjoy it so. Papa was brought up
on a farm, and it would seem like old
times to him. heard him say once that
he wished that he had never left it,"
81 had strong desire, when boy, to
go to the city, where | could have
chance to get rich, and not have to work
so hard. But am an only son-an only
child since last winter here the speak
er's eyes saddened. IL promised father
Just before lie died, that wouldn't leave
the farm while mother lived, and l don't
know that care to do so now"
II wouldn't, if l were in your place"
said Josie, with wise shake Of her pretty
head. "It's dreadful hard times in the city.
Everybody is groaning about them, which
makes it dismal enough. And as to work
ing hard, I'd like to know who works any
harder than pa does. It's ever So much
nicer here"
The honest young fellow, whose heart
was in his eyes, inwardly hoped that she
would always think so.
"There is where live he said, aloud,
pointing to "A house, with a wide piazza
running around two sides, and which look
ed very pleasant amid the green vcrdure
that surrounded it.
Young Manning drew the reins at the
gate, inside of which a pleasant faced, sill
YER haired woman was standing.
Here's the mail, mother" he said, toss
ing down to her some papers and pam
phlets "Been lonely any I'm going to
take this young lady to Mr.. Crofton's. My
mother, Miss Wilson"
The young man took leave of Jose with
feeling at his heart such as he had never
experienced before