Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-02-11
ankle turned, and with an unconscious cry


of pain | sank to the earth.
The rider was off his horse and at my
side, and had lifted me in his arms, even
before the old beggar who stood so close
to me could stoop to assist me. sIt is only
sprain," | stammered, trying to free
myself, yet feeling, oh ! so happy, in those
strong arms. &C. am sure | can walk
But know you can't, said Mr.. Ever
leigh impetuously. How shall l ever
forgive myself? 1t was my rapid gallop
that made you start"
'No, no." I cried, IT was talking to
this poor man, and it came on me so sud-
denly-you are not bit to blame-only
have been foolish. But do let me try to
walk"
induced him TO yield. He released me
from his arms, But the instant put my
foot to the ground the agony was such
that | almost shrieked l bit my lip till
the blood came, however, and kept 81
lence.
Mr. Everleigh snatched me again into
his arms. Il knew it would be so,'' he
cried, and now you must let me carry you
john" and he called to groom who
had been following him, 'fride at once.to
Chidleigh, have the foot bandaged with
out delay"
And | will lead your horse to the cot
tage," interposed the old beggar, "and tie
him there. Come on little Kitty, you and
I will follow
When we got home the house was filled
with the smell Of crullers, which mamma
was baking for the feast that was to be given
up at Aunt Mary's, after the fair. Poor
mamma, she looked tired to death and
when she saw me, she fairly gave up for
moment but Mr.. Everleigh, in few, kind
words, put her fears to rest and long be-
fore the physician came, my injured foot
was swathed and bandaged, so that DR..
Landor declared he had been regularly
taken in. -
When evening came my foot was ever SO
much better so much So that, when MIR.
Everleigh returned with carriage, and in
sisted that we should all go up to my aunt's
to the fair, as we had promised, / was only
too glad to consent. For the first time in
our acquaint luce, there was something in
Mr.. Everleighs manner that made even
me, humble as [ was, think that | was not
without charm for him.
The beggar had crept, unobtrusively,
into corner while my foot was being ban
daged, but Kitty, remembering him, left
me when she found the hurt was not seri-
GUS. "Poor old man" she said, s'we had
nearly forgotten you. You must be hungry.
Here, eat some of these crullers, and when
mamma has finished with Maggie she will
make you cup of tea"
The cup of tea was made in due time,
and a substantial supper set before the
mendicant in fact, all the cold meat we
had in the house. When Mr.. Everleigh re
turned, and we proposed to go, the old
beggar rose to his feet
Il am a stranger to you ma'am," he
said, addressing mamma, land naturally
you will not wish to leave me here in yonr
house. | will wait outside till you come
back"
"Wait outside y cried mamma, '.and in
the cold2 No, your face is an honest face,
if there ever was one. Sit down right
here by the fire, and stay all night, and
take dinner with US. 1t will be homely
meal for Thanksgiving one, but such as
it is you'll be welcome to it.
'God bless you, maam," said the old
man, with shaky voice, and l thought
saw tears in his eyes. am sure heard
him murmur, as he turned away TO hide
his emotion =" OF such is the kingdom of
heaven.
The charity fair, as the reader, by this
time has understood, was to be held in my
aunt's spacious apartments. Everybody
was to be there. The governor even, who
was on visit to his brother, near
neighbor, was expected to attend. One
of the senators for our State was also to be
present 1t was to be a most brilliant af-
fair.
So, when the dining-room was all a.
glitter with lights, and echoed with gay
voices, and shone with handsome dresses,
and beheld the presence of the most distin-
guished society in the county, and was
filled with stalls of pretty things the big
chintz covered chair was wheeled into the
hall, and |, and my sprained foot resting
on a cushion, sat in it, with a table of pret-
ty knick- knacks before me and Mr.. Ever
leigh by me.
My aunt did not look in a good humor,
however, though her fair could not have
been more Of a success, and though every
body praised her philanthrophy. Bere-
nice, too, wore scowl, that spoiled all
her blonde beauty.
Somewhere about ten o. clock, when bus
mess was at its briskest. there came roll
OF wheels on the drive and hustle at
the door. Presently, Jack, who had gone
to see what was the matter, rushed back,
his gray eyes dancing
"Oh Berry, | say" he cried out, sti-
fling burst of laughter, You know the
beggar? The old man we turned off this
morning? Well, he's back again. here at
the door, and, oh my buttons, but he's
our uncle from China.'
My aunt, in her black silk and point lace,
stood behind stall of cakes and ices. She
turned sharply at Jacks words He saw
her look of CONSERVATION, and screamed
with laughter again.
II say, now, mamma, it is true Don't
you wish you'd let me give him the cold
turkey, instead of making it into sand
wiches2'
My aunt did not utter a word But she
hurried to the door, and Berenice followed.
There he stood, our long expected uncle
from China, little, weather beaten old
man, with pinched, pale face A wick
ed twinkle Lit up his eyes, My aunt rushed
up to him at once and would have smoth-